Theater Festival features drama and suspense

by Melissa Lau
Staff Writer

The drama of "Dracula," the humor of "The Odd Couple" and the tragedy "Hamlet" all have one thing in common -- they echoed through theaters of the SuperTents by very talented teenagers last week.

Beginning last Wednesday, the University of La Verne Theatre Arts Department hosted its 19th annual Theater Festival for high school students. The tradition began when department chair David Flaten joined the ULV community.

Used as a recruitment technique for the University, schools from throughout California attended the three-day long festival. The 600 students in attendance this year came from various high schools including Bonita, Montebello, Alverno, Upland and Rialto. River City High School, who was also present at the festival, traveled from Sacramento.

Participating schools paid a $40 entrance fee. A per-school rate, as opposed to a per-student rate attracted many schools to bring as many participants.

Each high school was allowed to perform one piece, act or scene from a play of their choice. Students who chose not to perform a work by a well-known playwright also had the option of performing works written, directed or produced by students. Schools were not limited to a specific theme, and performances lasted 15 to 20 minutes. Shows were alternated between the Cabaret Theatre and the main stage.

The Theatre Arts Department provided participants with props, such as chairs and tables , lighting, sound and dressing rooms. The option to bring costumes and other props was decided individually by the schools.

Following each performance, ULV students from the directing studio class, junior and senior theater majors and faculty from the department adjudicated the performers. In addition two professional guest adjudicators, Dominique Dibbell and Kate Noonan, also critiqued students.

In the afternoon were three workshops where students learned acting techniques. Samantha Kern, a sophomore, hosted a workshop on improvisation in the Cabaret while senior April Shenkman, hosted a voice, breath and body workshop on the main stage.

In the old gym, dancer and choreographer, Sarah Leddy, held a workshop on movement. On Thursday, an additional workshop on imagery was held by senior theater major David Rojas.

At the end of the day, a ceremony was held to give awards to students who presented exceptional performances. About three-fourths of all the schools received an award, which included Don Lugo, Bonita, Chapparral, Upland and Ramona.

In addition to performances, auditions for ULV Theater Talent Scholarships were held for students interested in joining the ULV community. About seven applied for the scholarship during the festival, but the theater department expects another six to audition on Performance Day in March.

Elaina Davis, a senior at Don Lugo High School in Chino, was one of the applicants. She is currently in the production Sunshine Boys at the Chino Community Theater. Davis, who hopes to be a high school drama teacher, said, "I love theater, and any chance I get to perform I take it."

Unlike theater festivals sponsored by other schools, ULV stresses the idea of having fun with theater.

"Ours is more a festival and not focused on the award so much," said Elizabeth Pietrzak, theater manager and supervisor of the festival. "A lot of schools want to present work without the feeling of fierce competition. The schools appreciate the relaxed atmosphere of the festivals. They also appreciate the time taken for adjudication."

Every year, the Theatre Arts Department offers an assistantship to a ULV graduate student.

This year, ULV graduate student Cindy Tuttle held the position. She was ideal for this position because of her leadership experience at Claremont McKenna College, the home of her undergraduate study. At CMC, Tuttle established the Claremont McKenna College Musical Theater Club.

Tuttle discovered the opportunity through a flier that was passed out at school. The director at her masters program suggested that she give it a try. Between her school and her full time job, she managed to land an interview and incorporate this project into her schedule.

Planning by Tuttle began in September. She was responsible for sending out the invitations, receiving responses and sending out information through telephone, e-mail and faxes. One major challenge that Tuttle and the theater department had to overcome was figuring out how to use the main stage with the set for "Little Shop of Horrors" still up.

"The surprising thing was how flexible the schools were," Tuttle said.

Although this is her first time, Tuttle will be graduating with a masters in leadership and management this year and will not take on the position next year. She is receiving credit for this project through the Masters of Leadership and Management Program, which is a subsection of the School of Organizational Leadership.

The Theatre Arts Department is hoping to find a new face to organize next year's festival.

In addition to the directing studio class, several other theater classes and workstudy students assisted with the festivities.

The stage design class had the job of operating the lights and sound for the productions. The large group of volunteers also included those with no prior experience.

Tuttle enjoyed working with the ULV students.

"They're awesome," she said. "They go the extra mile to help out and know they're sincere about it."