Theatre and film student showcase

The arts of filmmaking and theatrical production are essential for capturing and relaying the human condition in a world of conflict, drama and technological evolution.

On the weekend of April 30, the University of Toledo's Department of Theatre and Film will merge student works from both halves of the department in a showcase of short films and theatre pieces.

According to UT Assistant Professor of Film Holly Hey, one of the objectives of the showcase is to show the public both theatre and film together and erase the common separation of the two. For many of the faculty members and students, theatre and film go hand-in-hand as artistic media.

"Our goal is to keep bringing more and more people into the actual event from on-campus and the greater Toledo community," Hey said. "We'd like to broaden our support base."

For UT lecturer of Theatre Irene Alby, the Department of Theatre and Film is fairly unique compared to many other programs where theatre is often combined with other, more literary departments and film with more technological programs.

"The marriage of these has led to much artistic collaboration that we believe are particularly resonant with both the entertainment industry today and the more experimental work that has been being done in cities like New York," Alby said. "We are therefore working together to better integrate the programs within the department, and this is one more step in that direction. Our goal is to bring our students together in both social and creative venues, so that they can get to know each other's work and potentially collaborate together in many different ways."

This is also the first year that senior work has been permitted in a showcase other than the designated Senior Showcase.

"This year, I want to put the showcase on graduation weekend to incorporate the family component," Hey said. "In the past, families weren't even in town. We want to reach out to the families of students and show them what we have been working on in the department."

The event takes place over three days, including workshops, cocktail party and after party.

"Our department allows students to gain experience in all areas of the theatre: acting, directing, playwriting, designing costumes, set, props, sound and lights, stage management, dramaturgy, history and criticism," Alby said. "Each person gets a background in all areas and then has the possibility to specialize in the areas that interest him/her the most. The more you invest into the program the more you get out of it."

The first showcase takes place on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the Center Theatre at the Center for Performing Arts. The showcase will consist of UT student film work from a juried competition, theatre work from "Creation/Doomsday" and KCACTF competition presented by Pat Miller and Katie Rediger.

Workshops for Theatre and Film students will take place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Center for Performing Arts. There will be a dinner on Saturday at 5 p.m.

The second showcase will take place on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Center Theatre where UT student film work and theatre work from "The Bald Soprano" will be shown. There will be an after party following the second showcase in the Studio Theatre with live music from the Faux Pas, a 4D music event created by senior film major Andrew Makadsi and a video installation exhibit in PA1035G by film major Meg Sciarini.

"Sciarini, who was nominated for her work as videographer in the show, will demonstrate how video and theatre can work together to enhance a production through a montage," Alby said.

For Katie Martin, a junior majoring in film, the showcase is a great opportunity to present the capabilities of the department.

"It allows students to reflect the hard work they have put into their project," Martin said. "Students can also have the benefit of being critiqued. I believe that this is a good opportunity for the theatre and film department to show others what we're all about."

Katie Martin's project, titled "Pulchritude," was an abstract animation made during Hey's "Video I" production class.

"Pulchritude is another word for beauty," Martin said. "I think this project is almost an experiment in the eye of the beholder. We see what we want to see. I think my work reflects my growth as a student and a film major."

Makadsi's 4D after party event, "Makadsi in the memory of McQueen" is an electronic dance tribute to British fashion designer Lee Alexander McQueen, who committed suicide in mid-February.

"My show is inspired by him," Makadsi said. "He was behind the image of Lady Gaga and her looks."

"In the Memory of McQueen" consists of graphics and music in the style of McQueen's iconic vision. The music will be of the electronica, trance and house genres. There will be dancers dressed accordingly in an effort to turn the Studio Theatre into a club-like dance party.

"I want people to come and be a part of the whole experience," Makadsi said. "It's a show, but not a show to sit down and watch. It's a show to come interact with the music and video. I want people to be a part of this experience and act like they're in a club."

Aside from Makadsi's 4D music event, he has two projects to be shown in the student showcase. His project "Magnolia" is an abstract animation made during Hey's Video I class and the other project is titled "Dolce: Fame Kills," which was made during Tammy Kinsey's Optical Printing class.

"‘Dolce' is a stop motion project," Makadsi said. "It's an experimental documentary about fame and the teenage obsession with fame. It's about the female celebrity blonde image from Marilyn Monroe, Madonna, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga."

Submissions were also accepted from Hey's Film 1 class. Brady Doepker, a junior majoring in film, submitted his project, "Vecinos Méconnaissable" which met the surrealist criteria.