UPbeat

News for and about University of Portland faculty and staff.

Gregory Pulver

Moliere’s “Tartuffe” Opens April 13

The performing and fine arts department will present Tartuffe by Moliere, directed by Gregory Pulver, from April 13-15 and 19-21, in Mago Hunt Center Theater. Showtime is 7:30 p.m., except Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are available by calling the Hunt Center Box Office at x7287 or magohuntboxoffice@up.edu.  One of Moliere’s most famous and influential theatrical comedies, Tartuffe was first performed in 1664, and many of its characters are considered among the greatest classical theatre roles.

For more information contact performing and fine arts at x7228 or pfa@up.edu.

Clark Library Gallery: “From Page to Production” Opening Reception, March 23

Join us at the opening reception for From Page to Production on Friday, March 23, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., in the Clark Library Gallery. See how a play script is brought to life from theatrical design sketches and scaled models to finished costumes and sets. The exhibit features the work of scenic designer Larry Larsen, performing and fine arts, and costume designer Gregory Pulver, performing and fine arts. They will give a brief talk about their work at the reception. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information contact the Clark Library at x7111 or library@up.edu.

“Jesus Christ Superstar” Taklback Session, April 20

The performing and fine arts department will present “Jesus Christ Superstar” from April 19 –23, at 7:30 p.m. (2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday) in Mago Hunt Theater. There will be a “Talk Back” offered immediately following the production on Thursday, April 20. Gregory Pulver, performing and fine arts, and Beth Barsotti, Campus Ministry, will be the moderators, and members of the cast will also be present. The topic will be “Presenting a Contemporary Christ in production.” All are welcome to attend.

UP Students Shine: Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival

A group of 38 students and five faculty spent February 20-24 at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival for a week of competitions, workshops and performances. More than 750 theater students from schools across the northwest participated, and a number of UP students came away winners:

  • KCACTF Design Technology & Management, Winner in Scenic Design: Megan Macker (junior). Megan will attend the national design competition at the National Festival in Washington, D.C., April 17- 23
  • The Institute for Theater Journalism and Advocacy Regional winner: Madeleine Nguyen (freshman). Madeleine is eligible for attendance at the National Festival in Washington, D.C., April 17- 23
  • The LMDA/ATHE/KCACTF Student Dramaturgy Award Regional winner: Adele Kennedy (senior). Adele is eligible for attendance at the National Festival in Washington, D.C., April 17- 23
  • Meritorious achievement in scenic design: Maria Edwards (junior)
  • Irene Ryan Finalist in acting: Jacob Orr (senior)
  • Musical Theater Scholarship Auditions finalist: Maddie Tran (senior)
  • Semifinalist for The Society of Directors and Choreographers: John Rice (First year MFA graduate candidate).

The Kennedy Center American College Theater (KCACTF) is a national theater program involving 18,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide, which has served as a catalyst in improving the quality of college theater in the United States. The KCACTF has grown into a network of more than 600 academic institutions throughout the country, where theater departments and student artists showcase their work and receive outside assessment by KCACTF respondents. Through state, regional, and national festivals, KCACTF participants celebrate the creative process, see one another’s work, and share experiences and insights within the community of theater artists. The KCACTF honors excellence of overall production and offers student artists individual recognition through awards and scholarships in playwriting, acting, criticism, directing, and design.

For more information contact Gregory Pulver, performance and fine arts, at x7228 or pulver@up.edu.

Humor As A Weapon Against Fascism, Oct. 22

U of PThe Garaventa Center welcomes UP history professor Brian Els as he focuses on humor as a response to Nazi oppression on Wednesday, October 22, at 7:30 p.m., in Mago Hunt Center recital hall. Nicole Hanig, performing and fine arts, and Gregory Pulver’s Musical Theater & Opera Workshop Ensemble will provide live renditions of music heard in 1930s Germany, including the singing sensation known as the Comedian Harmonists. The lecture is part of the Beckman Humor Project.

For more information contact the Garaventa Center at 7702 or powell@up.edu.

Theatre Students Shine

hUniversity of Portland performing and fine arts students received the following awards at the 2014 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (Region VII) at the University of Boise in Boise, Idaho, on February 18-22:

  • Jordin Bradley received an acting scholarship award of $500 toward enrollment fees for CSU Summer Arts 2014
  • Jeff Phillips received a Full Ride Scholarship to California State University’s Broadway Bound Summer Course
  • Danielle Renella received a Full Ride Scholarship to California State University’s Michael Chekhov Acting Technique Summer Course
  • Amy Billroth-MacLurg received a Full Ride Scholarship to California State University’s Social Action Writing: Personal to Political, Words at Work Summer Course
  • The Regional Design Award for Meritorious Achievement in Costume Design of The Magic Flute for Gregory Pulver’s Costume Design Class: Shen Telles, Andrew Wardenaar, Kristen Gates, Annie Ganousis and Hope Robinson.

For more information contact the performing and fine arts department at 7228 or pfa@up.edu.

“Alkestis” Pre-Show Event

alkestis copyThe Garaventa Center has pulled together an eclectic panel of scholars to provide insights into the current University main stage production, “Alkestis.” Prior to the performance on Saturday, November 16, audience members can gather in the Mago Hunt Recital Hall to listen to Alex Santana (Rumpakis Professor of Hellenic Studies), costume designer Gregory Pulver, and philosophy professor Jeff Gauthier as they illuminate aspects of the show from their unique perspectives, helping hone eyes and ears to perceive even more in this rarely-produced masterpiece. Wine and snacks are provided free of charge at this session; participants should procure their own ticket to the play itself.

The doors will open at 6:30 p.m., with the panel commencing at 6:45 and ending at 7:15, allowing plenty of time to be seated in the main theater. The Garaventa Center will partner with performing and fine arts again in spring for a similar event at a performance of “Cymbeline.” For more information, contact Karen Eifler, Garaventa Center, at eifler@up.edu.