November 3, 2011
It’s that time again, when saws are buzzing
in the scene shop, costumes are flying off racks and students are pacing the
Green Room in preparation for auditions and performances. The theatre department is running full speed
ahead as we hold auditions for the spring musical and launch our first major
production of the year, the middle school play, Chateau La Roach.
We all know it takes a village to raise a
child, but did you know it takes a few surrounding villages to “raise a
show?” Mounds Park Academy has a
reputation for excellent theatre, but Barbara Bradley and I don’t do it
alone. We have a team of talented
professional artists, directors and designers who work with us to create the
beauty you see in every production.
These professionals also work directly with our students, giving them
the most authentic hands-on educational theatre experience possible. I have worked with hundreds of professionals
throughout my theatre career and I truly believe that MPA has tapped into some
of the best. I am so very proud to know
them, and watching them educate our children is magical. Although their work takes place “behind the
scenes” they deserve a little center-stage attention, so I thought I’d
introduce you.
Chad Van
Kekerix is our Set Designer for the
Winter and Spring Shows. He holds a
degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato and has worked all over the
Twin Cities as a designer, director and scenic artist. Chad’s theatrical experience includes
projects at The Ordway, Penumbra
Theatre Company, Phipps Center for the Performing
Arts, Theatre in the Round, Youth Performance
Company, Northwestern College and The Actor’s
Theatre of Minnesota.
Paula Lee has
been costuming our productions for 15 years.
She is a woman of many hats.
Paula is a professional costumer around town at Stages Theatre Company
and Apple Valley High School. She is the
head swim coach for Jefferson High School and Barracuda Aquatic Club. Paula holds degrees in architecture, interior
design, fashion and costume design. She
also owns her own business, Paula Marie Designs, specializing in custom
clothing for weddings and special occasions.
Angelique Powers is our Set Designer for the Middle School Play, as well as scenic
artist/painter for the Winter and Spring shows.
She holds an MFA in Scenic Art from Cal Arts and is a Scenic Painter at
theatres including Children’s Theatre Company, Denver Center, Geffin Playhouse,
Pillsbury and The Guthrie Theatre.
Angelique is also the Lead Charge artist for Penumbra Theatre. Last year her work was scene on three
continents and two national tours.
Isaac Sawle
is new to MPA this year as our Technical Director. He has worked in nearly all areas of theatre production. His
career so far has included freelance lighting, stage management, carpentry,
technical direction, and rigging for theaters and companies all around the
Midwest. Scenic construction in and around the Twin Cities has been his main
occupation as of late, but he spends his summers in Winona, Minnesota working
for the Great River Shakespeare Festival.
These people lift us up and make our shows
run smoothly and professionally.
However, there is one extremely important member of our theatre family
missing this year, and that is “the volunteer”. Some of you reading this right now might be
cringing at this word as families are overloaded with responsibilities and
asked to do so much for others. We are
in need of help selling tickets, working concessions and building the sets for
all 3 of our main stage productions. We
also need parent volunteers to help plan and staff tech week meals for out
student actors and crew. If you would
like to help in any of these areas, please contact me at mmoore@moundsparkacademy.org. Come do something dramatic and join our
family. We’d love to hear from you!
