B.F.A. Design major Lawrence Moten '12 gives us a quick glance into his life here at IC.

Ithaca College Theatre: What do you like about Ithaca College Theatre?
Lawrence Moten: I enjoy the fast pace and the professional development. After having been here for a few years, the pace is very similar to regional theatres that I have worked at over the summers.

ICT: What has been your favorite Ithaca College production?
LM: Floyd Collins

ICT: What do you love about living in Ithaca?
LM: I like hanging out with my friends and exploring the Commons. Ithaca is great for getting out in the warm months and its great to do that with friends.

ICT: What are some impressions you have of Ithaca College Theatre?
LM: Successful, professional department that puts out quality individuals. 

ICT: Sing me a line from your favorite musical.
LM:
”Sing a song of forgetting
A song of the way things were not
Sing of what's lost to you
The time that you never knew
Sing of not remembering when
Of memories that go unremembered and then
Sing a song of forgetting, again”

ICT: What are some of your hobbies?
LM: I really like reading novels by authors like Orson Scott Card and James Rollins. I really enjoy playing the drums and gaming when I can.

ICT: What is your favorite spot around Ithaca?
LM: The location really doesn’t matter as long as the company is good.

ICT: Do you ever go see performances offered around the community?
LM: I went and saw “Tony and the Soprano” at the Kitchen and I saw “Spelling Bee” at the Hangar

ICT: Are you a member of any clubs or sports teams or participate in any extracurricular activities?
LM: I am a MLK Jr. Scholar but that and theatre but that takes up most of my time.

ICT: How do you avoid the drama inherently prevalent in the department?
LM: That’s hard but I just mind my own and do my best to not perpetuate rumors. 

ICT: What do you do to relax from the stress of classes?
LM: Hang out with my friend Katie and the rest of my house. I find that just being around my friends is the best de-stressor.

ICT: Is there a little known fact about the department that you'd like to clue us in on?
LM: We work hard and play harder.

ICT: How do you balance your theatre life with life outside the department?
LM: I really don’t. the theatre has truly become my life so I involve myself as much as possible. My friends outside the dept. understand that. 

ICT: What kind of special programs do you think the department should offer (i.e. tips on finding apartments, resume help, audition tips)?
LM: I am pretty happy with it all already…

Kim Oria, Theatre Arts Management '11, shares some insight about her time here at Ithaca College

Ithaca College Theatre: What do you like about Ithaca College Theatre?

Kim Oria: That for the most part it's student run, we have the chance to learn from doing and we make wonderful theatre. 

Ithaca College Theatre: What do you like about Ithaca College Theatre?

Emily Viterise:  I love the sense of family that is present in the Theatre Department. Not only can I talk to anyone about almost anything, but I know that everyone is there for me. Whether I am having a hard time, or am looking to start up a new project.
 
ICT: What has been your favorite Ithaca College production?

EV: A Midsummer Night's Dream hands down, it's my favorite play and the most inspiring production I've seen at Ithaca yet.

ICT: What do you love about living in Ithaca?

EV: There is always something to do! Always somewhere to walk, people to be with, an event to plan or a peaceful place just to sit. I am a person who loves to stay active and Ithaca is the perfect town to do so.
 
ICT: What are some impressions you have of Ithaca College Theatre?

EV: I came into College as an Exploratory student, I remember seeing what a family the theatre department really was and knowing that I wanted to be a part of something that was so much greater than just theatre.

ICT: Sing me a line from your favorite musial.
 
EV: Errr favorite musical? hehe

ICT: What are some of your hobbies?
 
EV: I have plenty of hobbies, the nerdyest and possibly most involved would be scrapbooking, one of those things I do on breaks when I'm bored of home, and I ran out of baking supplies.
 
ICT: What do you know about our guest artist series?

EV: I know that the guest artist series has helped me learn so much about life after college, the guest artists all have taken different paths to get where they are now, which is very inspiring for a college student.

ICT: What guest artist would you like to see Ithaca bring in?

EV: anyone and everyone!
 
ICT: What is your favorite spot around Ithaca?

EV: Gorges. Definitely, but if it is wintertime I'd have to say wegmans, I love me some wegmans but only after rehearsals so 11pm-1am runs are always acceptable and the best time ever.
 
ICT: Do you ever go see performances offered around the community?

EV: ABSOLUTELY! we have such a creative community it is important to see what is going on around town, I haven't spent a summer yet but I plan to hopefully I will get the chance to work with some community theatres which are excellent sources for connections and theatre over the summer.
 
ICT: Are you a member of any clubs or sports teams or participate in any extracurricular activities?

EV: I have worked with the IC tap club and unbound, but not since freshman year, last year i focused a lot more on my job and theatre projects plus all of my classes, but there are so many extracurricular to participate in on campus!
 
ICT: How do you avoid the drama inherently prevalent in the department?

EV: I'm not one to create Drama, so it is easily avoided. There isn't so much "drama" in the department, but rather just dramatic people.
 
ICT: What do you do to relax from the stress of classes?

EV: I am a big fan of the gym, when life is getting stressful I always make sure I go to the gym, or dance. I make sure that I have a class in my schedule that is a me class one that I am taking for myself even if it is for .5 credits pottery, or volleyball I always have a dance class in my schedule because it is very important that I have that outlet.
 
ICT: Is there a little known fact about the department that you’d like to clue us in on?

EV: Shh... I'll never tell.. hehe
 
ICT: How do you balance your theatre life with life outside the department?

EV: It is very important to make other friends, which is not hard at all on campus, one of my best friends is a television and radio major, one of my roommates plays the Cello and is in the music school, It is very important to remember that there are other schools therefore other people on campus. I took up a non departmental job at Information Technology Services, which was a wonderful experience. I met so many people and got involved with a different organization.
 
ICT: What kind of special programs do you think the department should offer (i.e. tips on finding apartments, resume help, audition tips)?

EV: Resume help would be a very important addition to our department, there is a class that was just added for BA sophomores, where we had the opportunity to work with Lee on our resumes and meet guest speakers and talk to them about their careers, it was such a help and aided alot of the sophomore year confusion.
 

 B.F.A. Tech major Ben Truppin-Brown '11 answers some questions to provide a glimpse into the life of an IC theatre student.

Ithaca College Theatre: What do you like about Ithaca College Theatre?

Ben Truppin-Brown: I love being around such incredible talent and drive. It's invigorating, and it leads to creative collaboration between artists on a level to which I have never before been exposed. The department is a full of interesting, quirky people, professors and students alike, and these people really do become your family. It's a simultaneously demanding and supportive environment, designed to allow students to grow as people and as professionals, and to push us past the limits of what we can achieve.

ICT: What has been your favorite Ithaca College production?

BTB: Either Metamorphoses, L'Enfant et Les Sortileges, or A Midsummer Night's Dream. It's tough to say which.

ICT: What do you love about living in Ithaca?

BTB: A lot of things - the sunsets, the snow, Collegetown Bagels, opening nights at Madelines, Shortstop Deli and the State Street Diner (both open all night), the windy road through Buttermilk Falls, 24-Hour Wegmans (and really taking advantage of those hours of operation), and random things outside of Ithaca like Jim's BBQ, Uncle Bill's Antiques, and random adventures around the surrounding rural areas.

ICT: What are some impressions you have of Ithaca College Theatre?

BTB: That we do consistently good work. Shows are generally well attended by students, faculty, and people from the community.

ICT: Sing me a line from your favorite musical.

BTB: "She said 'Give me that hand, please, and the itch you can't control / Let me teach you how to handle all the sadness in your soul...' "

ICT: What are some of your hobbies?

BTB: Anything with music - playing, listening, analyzing, trying to write. I read when I can, watch TV when I can, drive off in search of adventure when I can. I like making mixes around a theme, and I love geeking about about all things audio.

ICT: What do you know about our guest artist series?

BTB: Nothing at the moment. I know that John Lee Beatty visited last fall and gave an outstanding presentation, and we've had some really interesting people visit since as well. I got to sit in on Steve TenEyck's Advanced Lighting Design class one day this spring for a conversation with Robert Moss on director/designer communication and collaboration. We were also able to bring in Adam Matta, a professional beat boxer, for a recording and mixing practical in Advanced Sound Design this spring. I don't know if any of these were part of a guest artist series, but they were definitely great experiences.

ICT: What guest artist would you like to see Ithaca bring in?

BTB: Personally I'd love to see a sound designer in a similar setting to the John Lee Beatty visit, someone who can speak about their creative process, their philosophy on design, and really show people what it is sound designers do.

Ithaca Theatre: What do you like about Ithaca College Theatre?

Amy Cohen: It's really hands on. As a TAM, I get to see my creative ideas executed; the family and support group you have, feeling like you have the inside scoop on something that is well respected and patronized by the Ithaca community.

IT: What are some impressions you have of Ithaca College Theatre?

AC: My first impression was that it was a very tight knit community that I really wanted to be a part of.  It is clear from the start that there are a lot of brilliant and creative minds, and it is intimidating at first.  While at first I really felt like an outsider because I transferred into the department, I learned that I wasn't being excluded intentionally, but rather I had to advocate for myself and be social - and once I was, I felt like I was a part of the team.

IT: What has been your favorite Ithaca College production?

AC: "Seussical the Musical".

IT: What do you love about living in Ithaca?

AC: Greenstar (the local food coop) the beautiful parks and nature, Wegmans supermarket, Jason's frozen yogurt in college town, all the brilliant people that IC and Cornell bring to the area, how open minded it is, the beautiful fall foliage, the community in general, oh Ithaca is just FABULOUS. 

IT: What do you know about our guest artist series?

AC: I know that the IC Theatre Department has a small budget to bring in guest artists. My impression is that it rarely brings in artists who perform, but usually brings speakers or people who lead workshops who (aim to) enlighten and inspire us.  But if there is some other guest artist thing that is news to me.

IT: What guest artist would you like to see Ithaca bring in?

AC: I would love to have a performance by one of IC's notable alumni - you don't hear enough about the awesome things the IC Theatre alumni are doing.  Even though I'm a management major I would love to hear some professional musical theater voices!  Also, branching out into other art forms that collaborate with theater - circus, dance, puppetry, mime - we need to show the department how genres interact and how we can't be so closed minded and focused on THEATRE, everything in the real world is connected!

IT: What kind of special programs do you think the department should offer? (ie. tips on finding apartments, resume help, audition tips, etc.)

AC: The department should teach each major about the wonderful ways that each major contributes to the department- not through a tough class but by allowing them to trade places for a day or something like that.  Mock interviews and resume help are available already through career services; maybe the department should draw attention to that, or make sure the staff there knows about the theatre world. We need to branch out, be open minded, and collaborate with the brilliant and creative resources we have on our own campus and beyond, from the Communications school to Cornell, to the Ithaca Community.

IT: What is your favorite spot around Ithaca?

AC: I love the swings at upper Buttermilk falls, the candy section of Wegmans, and wandering around the commons.

IT: Do you ever go to see performances offered around the community?

AC: Of course!  IC's music department has up to 8 performances a day, and not enough theatre kids take advantage of them. Cornell has so many great opportunities, from student run theater to big names like Ben Folds. The State Theater always has some great acts and the Hangar Theater has a great summer season. The Kitchen Theater always has intriguing shows. Also, small music venues and coffee shops have great music. Plus you can always find some buskers at the farmers market!

IT: Are you a member of any clubs or sports teams or participate in any extracurricular activities?

AC: I started and run ICircus, IC's circus arts club so that takes up a lot of my time, and I try to reach out to the theatre community through circus because I think the skills are really beneficial to them. ICircus also gets me involved with many other organizations and community service groups. I was also in the Tap club and am involved with Hillel.  As a Presidents Host I give tours and run open houses- great opportunities to talk about how much I love Ithaca.  At Cornell I am the make up artist for the Melodramatics and work with the Cornell Juggling club.

IT: How do you avoid the drama inherently prevalent in the department?

AC: I haven't been involved with the drama much because my main group of friends are not in the theatre department.  I love the creative energy from the theatre people and have many close friends, but I don't eat sleep and breathe with them every moment like most of them do.  From the moment you step into Dillingham center you are handed a bunch of people who are expected to be your friends.  I think it's really important that you branch out and find other people with other interests to hang out with and share the college experience with.  It can be suffocating to be in the same environment with people who you are academically and performance wise competing with, especially for the BFA students.  So my advice is to love and enjoy the theatre people, but make sure you have an escape and allow yourself room to develop as an individual by making time and space for new people and experiences, and also time to just be by yourself and do new and different things.

IT: What do you do to relax from the stress of classes?

AC: Usually I stretch or go for a run if it is nice out and just spend time in nature at the parks or on campus.  I also like to go to the supermarket and look at all the exciting food!  I try to avoid the stress by making sure all my days are balanced and have elements of things that I love to do, even if I have a lot of work looming.  Make sure you have someone in Ithaca that you can talk to, an advisor, professor, etc.  Also, sleep enough at night, and eat well!

IT: What are some of your hobbies?

AC: Circus Arts (a little more than a hobby, more of an infatuation), sewing and creating, cooking, tree climbing, enjoying good company, and doing handstands around the world.

IT: Is there a little known fact about the department that you'd like to clue us in on?

AC: Well, there are lot's of really cool archives in the TAM room that the department should do something with. It’s well known, but we must combat the segregation that happens between majors and eliminate any hierarchy - amongst the students, staff, professors, and administrators in the department. We all need to work together for the department to run smoothly and often certain aspects of the process get overlooked!

IT: How do you balance your theatre life with life outside of the department?

AC: I let the things that happen in the department inspire other aspects of my life and visa versa.  I take what I learn about theatre and apply it to the world of Circus arts.  Having friends in other majors and with other interests keeps me alert about what else is going on on campus and through other organizations.  As a tour guide I am always learning new things about the school and the area and wanting to explore them.  I love the theatre department, but it does not define Ithaca College for me. For me being at Ithaca is about the community at large, the whole campus not just the theatre building, and meeting people with diverse interests; that's what keeps me inspired and interested.  I am a fan of mixture and collaboration - this necessitates thinking outside the box and diving into all different territories and experiences. Then I can contribute to the theatre department in a more worldly and open-minded capacity.

IT: Sing me a line from your favorite musical.

AC: "Friday night down on Houston, at a spot called Bamboo Jack's, everyone was doing the mambo, drinking golden Cadillacs." From the brilliant musical See What I Wanna See by Michael John LaChiusa.

Ithaca Theatre: What do you like about Ithaca College Theatre?

Joanna Krupnick: Its personal, it’s real. Everyone works together and creates amazing work. Everyone is supportive, welcoming, and enthusiastic. The faculty is so supportive and helpful and willing to get close to the students which makes for a fabulous working environment and allows for some thrilling (and intense) growth. 

IT: What has been your favorite Ithaca College production?

JK: I can't pick a favorite! They have all been so incredible for different reasons. I guess my most favorite experience IN a show so far was "The Seagull." But I will always remember "Seussical" since it was my first show I saw as a freshman here at IC!

IT: What do you love about living in Ithaca?

JK: The warmness of everyone, all the families that live here and their kids, the relaxed lifestyle, the closeness of the community, and the GORGEOUS seasons!

IT: What guest artist would you like to see Ithaca bring in?

JK: More of it's alumni who have made a name with their art working in theatre. Just any working professional actor, designer, writer, music director, etc. But I want to see MORE of them coming in general.

IT: What kind of special programs do you think the department should offer? (ie. tips on finding apartments, resume help, audition tips, etc.)

JK: I think the department should offer more info about the actual business side of the theatre. There should be more guest speakers, more master classes, and perhaps website tips for those creating. There is little that the students DON'T need more of, we are always trying to get more knowledge about anything and everything we can!

IT: What is your favorite spot around Ithaca?

JK: I love the dockside at the Farmers Market.

IT: Do you ever go to see performances offered around the community?

JK: Yes! I see lots of shows at the Hangar Theatre and the Kitchen Theatre.

IT: Are you a member of any clubs or sports teams or participate in any extracurricular activities?

JK: No. I have no time!

IT: How do you avoid the drama inherently prevalent in the department?

JK: There will always be drama, but you don't need to be the one to create it. Learning to let things go and having assurance it will blow over is a helpful skill for life in general. If you don't let things get to you, they won't. And if they do, which is sometimes inevitable, you learn to just pick up and carry on!

IT: What do you do to relax from the stress of classes?

JK: I love going to the practice rooms and belting my brains out or playing the piano. Also, to come home to my friends is relaxing. Laughing is relaxing.

IT: What are some of your hobbies?

JK: You mean OTHER than living and breathing Musical Theatre 24/7?! I love playing piano, cleaning and organizing (trust me, I somehow made it a hobby), reading, and scrapbooking.

IT: Is there a little known fact about the department that you'd like to clue us in on?

JK: Um, we are fabulous? And one of the best?

IT: How do you balance your theatre life with life outside of the department?

JK: You make friends with everyone you can and take time to let them know you need them in your life, as busy as you seem. I make sure to take time in a week to at least call, if not see my non-theatre friends just to listen and talk about things NOT going in on my life, but in theirs.

IT: Sing me a line from your favorite musical.

JK: I HAVE TOO MANY! But I'm currently in a production of "Hair" at the Hangar Theatre, so that is on my mind at the moment. Any lyric from that show is worth singing.

Ithaca Theatre: What do you like about Ithaca College Theatre?

Britney Smallwood: One of my favorite things about Ithaca College theatre is the family-like environment of the department.  I think the department is a really accepting and nurturing place to create theatre. Another one of my favorite things is that the quality of our productions is really exceptional.

IT: What has been your favorite Ithaca College production?

BS: My favorite IC production that I have been personally involved with would have to be “Violet”. It was a really hard show to pull off, but the audience loved it and it's a really great musical. My favorite production that I've seen there would have to be the opera, “The Merry Widow”. It was hysterical, beautifully designed and brilliantly acted/sung.

IT: What do you love about living in Ithaca?

BS: I love the liberal atmosphere of Ithaca.  It also has wonderful bakeries and, of course, Wegmans. Anyone can tell you that one of the best parts of living in Ithaca is, in fact, Wegmans.

IT: What are some impressions you have of Ithaca College Theatre?

BS: I think the community really enjoys and supports our productions. We seem to have a fairly solid attendance that stems from the community outside Ithaca College, which is great.  I also think that IC students not involved in theatre tend to think of Dillingham as "that building behind the fountains." I actually wish more IC students came to see our productions because I think they would really enjoy them.

IT: Sing me a line from your favorite musical.

BS: Okay. Way to put me on the spot. I'm the worst drama major ever and I know, like, two musicals. How about a line from “Violet”? *clears throat* "All I want is someone/to wonder who is she?/to ask how to meet me/To love me all to pieces."

IT: What are some of your hobbies?

BS: Well, when I'm not stage managing I am probably listening to music. I'm pretty much an audiophile and I really love making mix tapes/CDs for my friends and myself.  I also secretly like to watch really bad sci-fi movies on TV with my housemates.

IT: What do you know about our guest artist series?

BS: We have a guest artist series? I had no idea...

IT: What guest artist would you like to see Ithaca bring in?

BS: Well, if said guest artist is of the theatre persuasion, I would love to see the school bring in Eugene Lee. Aside from designing the amazing set for “Wicked”, he is just a really wonderful man who has done so much to help young people and members of the community get involved with theatre and pursue their dreams.

IT: What is your favorite spot around Ithaca?

BS: It is beautiful to walk down to the lake at sunset.  Aside from that, I would have to say Dillingham (no joke) and more specifically the TAM room, excuse me, Management Room. I've had so many wonderful times there.

IT: Do you ever go to see performances offered around the community?

BS: I saw a really great performance at the Kitchen Theatre about a refugee of the Iraq war. It was amazing to see that small space used so powerfully.  For the past two summers I've worked at the Hangar Theatre, which regularly puts on an engaging main stage season.  My favorite main stage productions were “Sammy and Me” (written by IC alums!) and the show I am currently working on, “Doubt”, by John Patrick Shanley.

IT: Are you a member of any clubs or sports teams or participate in any extracurricular activities?

BS: I wish I could participate in an A Cappella singing group like Premium Blend or VoiceStream, but my hours as a stage manager don't really allow for much more than stage managing and getting my homework done.

IT: How do you avoid the drama inherently prevalent in the department?

BS: Be friendly! For the most part, people want to be liked and they want to like you so why not make it easy?

IT: What do you do to relax from the stress of classes?

BS: I love sleeping in on my one day off a week. I try to get all my homework done before my day off so I can just relax and stay in my pajamas watching TV all day if I want to.

IT: Is there a little known fact about the department that you'd like to clue us in on?

BS: Someone once told me that all theatre people got into theatre because they initially wanted to be on the stage.  I think this is mostly true.  If you get to know people in the department, you'll find out that most of them have many other talents that do not lie specifically in their area of concentration. We recently found out one of our Lighting Designers can tap dance! There is a video of him tap dancing on Facebook, so it must be true.

IT: How do you balance your theatre life with life outside of the department?

BS: I don't live with the people I work with, which helps me keep a perspective on what is going on outside the department.  One of my roommates is a math and physics double major who takes Ballet and goes ballroom dancing...and he's a boy.  People outside the department are interesting, too. Make friends with them!

IT: What kind of special programs do you think the department should offer? (ie. tips on finding apartments, resume help, audition tips)

BS: I think, first of all, that we should offer a mandatory Theatre Ethics and Protocol class for all freshmen.  It should include how to be on time to rehearsal, how to treat your stage manager, how to treat actors, how to treat directors, musical directors, designers, choreographers...etc. I think this would be a great groundwork to lay for those coming into the college theatre world. I also think a seminar in compiling a resume wouldn't hurt.

B.F.A. Acting major Patrick Prudent '08 answers some questions to provide a glimpse into the life of an IC theatre student.

Ithaca Theatre: What do you like about Ithaca College Theatre?

Patrick Prudent: I love the fact that we are one huge family. Upperclassmen are always there to support all the underclassmen and vice versa. The faculty is there for YOU. I also love the one on one attention you’ll receive as a performance major.

IT: What are some impressions you have of Ithaca College Theatre?

PP: That we are all one hell of a talented group of artists.

IT: What has been your favorite Ithaca College production?

PP: Favorite? Favorite to see, hands down, was Seussical my freshmen year and Burn This was my favorite show to be a part of so far.

IT: What do you love about living in Ithaca?

PP: All the hippies? No, seriously, it’s beautiful here!

IT: What do you know about our guest artist series?

PP: I know that they try to get famous/important people to come in, in order to motivate and inspire the students.

IT: What guest artist would you like to see Ithaca bring in?

PP: I can't really choose necessarily but I would love it to be someone who is dealing with the business now! Not someone who’s been through it in the past because things change out there and it would be great to know what’s new about the business today.

IT: What kind of special programs do you think the department should offer? (ie. tips on finding apartments, resume help, audition tips)

PP: Resume help would be cool. Workshops that focus towards knowing the business side of theatre today would be great. Honestly, the more workshops the better.

IT: What is your favorite spot around Ithaca?

PP: Stewart Park. Sitting on a bench looking out at the water. 

IT: Do you ever go to see performances offered around the community?       

PP: Of course! It’s always good to support the Hangar and the Kitchen theatres.

IT: Are you a member of any clubs or sports teams or participate in any extracurricular activities?

PP: I wish I actually had the time but no. I do have a job though! I work at Moosewood restaurant.

IT: How do you avoid the drama inherently prevalent in the department?

PP: Drama? We have that in a theatre department?!  Drama is whatever YOU make it out to be and it is so easy to avoid - it just takes a moment to realize how much you can avoid dramatic confrontations. Drama is rude and it just wastes time, why would I want to do that?!

IT: What do you do to relax from the stress of classes?

PP: Music is my getaway. Then after that, talking to my mommy.

IT: What are some of your hobbies?

PP: Besides theatre in general… Unlike most male theatre majors I’m into sports. No offense guys. Being a Florida boy, I love to watch The Florida Gators dominate. And I love soccer. Besides that, jet skiing, reading (especially Harry Potter books) and shopping.

IT: Is there a little known fact about the department that you'd like to clue us in on?

PP: We’re some of the wildest people you’ll ever meet?

IT: How do you balance your theatre life with life outside of the department?

PP: I try to balance it by calling my friends and family back home whenever I get the chance. The theatre people are around each other so much; it’s nice to check back in with other people that I don’t get to always see.

IT: Sing me a line from your favorite musical.

PP: Well…right now it’s a toss up between…
“Morning time, Evening time, Summer time and Winter time…” –Porgy & Bess.
AND
“Till we reach that day…” –Ragtime