Theater department opens summer repertory season June 24
The summer repertory theater company at Central Michigan University will be opening three shows for the 29th summer season at Bush Theatre starting June 24.
In addition to their performances at CMU, the company of 12 students will be performing on tour in Whitehall and on Beaver Island.
Rehearsals began May 18. In order to be selected to perform in the group, students interested had to interview with three theater department faculty members, as well as audition for the shows.
The shows are directed by faculty members, however, the students must “put the costumes together, create the sound, they do some of the publicity work for all three shows,” according to Steven Berglund, Director of University Theater.
Summer theater schedule
Tickets for the traveling shows can be purchased through their box offices.
“Don’t Dress for Dinner,” a farce
Bush Theatre - June 24 and 27 at 7:30 p.m.
Beaver Island Community Center - July 9 at 8:00 p.m.
Howmet Playhouse, Whitehall - July 16 at 7:30 p.m.
“One Slight Hitch,” a family comedy
Bush Theatre - June 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Beaver Island Community Center - July 10 at 8:00 p.m.
Howmet Playhouse, Whitehall - July 17 at 7:30 p.m.
“Jerry Finnegan’s Sister,” a romantic comedy
Bush Theatre - June 25 at 7:30 p.m. and June 28 at 2:00 p.m.
Beaver Island Community Center - July 11 at 8:00 p.m.
Howmet Playhouse, Whitehall - July 18 at 7:30 p.m.
“One Slight Hitch” will be returning to CMU to open the regular theater season at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 9 through 12 and 2:00 p.m. on Sept. 13 at Bush Theatre.
“Those 12 students are responsible for everything in three complete productions,” Berglund said. “Some people act in one show. The same person may run the sound for a second show, and they may be on the prop crew for a third show.”
Being in the company for the summer is a large commitment. Berglund said the students are rehearsing three shows to perform in five and a half weeks. They rehearse from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., six days a week until opening.
“They have a wide variety of experiences (here), so it is competitive (to get in),” said Berglund.
Berglund thinks the traveling shows are a great way for students to learn how to adjust to different venues in theater.
“Theaters are very different,” Berglund said. “They have to know the performance adjustments, but they also have to make technical adjustments as well.”
Mount Pleasant senior and member of the theater program Connor Hall is performing in the summer company for his third year.
“These shows are really going to resonate quite well with a lot of the audiences,” Hall said. “This company has been fantastic because of [the] sense of comradery and the need to learn.”
Hall said it is challenging as a company to plan for performing at many different venues.
“We try to account for that from day one when we are given layouts of what the sets are going to look like on not just our stages, but their stages as well,” Hall said.
The summer theater shows can be seen at Bush Theatre, as well as Beaver Island and Whitehall.
Ticket prices are $7 to $12 and can be purchased at the Bush Theatre box office, online at www.cmich.edu/ticketcentral or by calling 989-774-3045.
For more information on theater at CMU visit www.bit.ly/1GGjsrT.
