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Theatre News

Theatre department presenting Cloud 9 starting April 26

The Department of Theatre at Cornell College will present Caryl Churchill’s comedy Cloud 9 April 26 and 27 and May 3 and 4 at 7:30 p.m. and May 5 at 2 p.m. in the Plumb-Fleming Studio Theatre. Directed by Janeve West, Cloud 9 reveals the ties of colonial oppression and the bindings of post-colonial identities through cross-dressing, gender switching, and uproarious laughter. Read More

Posted Apr 10, 2013

Avenue Q runs Feb. 22-24 and March 1-3

Cornell College will present "Avenue Q" Feb. 22-23 and March 1-2 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 24 and March 3 at 2 p.m. in Kimmel Theatre. The show follows recent college grad Princeton, his former child-actor landlord, his Internet-addicted neighbor, and the rest of his colorful friends as they cope with the struggles of romance, careers, personal identity, and the ongoing search for one’s purpose in life. Read More

Posted Feb 21, 2013

Theatre students in Chicago explore 20 shows in 20 days

During the course "Theatre and the Arts in Chicago," fifteen students enjoyed 20 professional productions in 20 days. Led by Cornell theatre professor Jim VanValen, the course also provided many opportunities to interact with theatre professionals. Read More

Posted Jan 03, 2013

Students learn puppetry from an expert

Students preparing for the Broadway hit musical "Avenue Q" got a chance to learn puppetry from world-renowned expert Emily DeCola of the Puppet Kitchen in New York. Read More

Posted Dec 12, 2012

2012-2013 Fine Arts Calendar

Cornell's fine arts events for 2012-2013 include performances of the Tony Award winning Avenue Q, a variety of Luce Gallery shows honoring recently retired art professor Doug Hanson, the return of the female vocal ensemble Tapestry, and the annual holiday choral concert. Read More

Posted Oct 09, 2012

Romeo and Juliet opens Oct. 12

Cornell College is producing the Shakespearean classic "Romeo and Juliet" October 12, 13, 19, and 20 at 7:30 and October 21 at 2:00 pm in Kimmel Theatre. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for seniors/students/youth and free with Cornell College ID. Read More

Posted Oct 01, 2012

Prestel explores theatre management along with acting roles

Kayla Prestel enjoyed plenty of roles in the spotlight at Cornell. But her degree in theatrical entrepreneurship also gave her many experiences behind the scenes of theatre management. Read More

Posted May 29, 2012

Alumnus’ show gets positive coverage in The New York Times

The New York Times had kind words for a play co-written and co-starred in by Joseph Curnutte ’04. The review of “Samuel & Alasdair: A Personal History of the Robot War” praises the play's writing and calls Curnutte excellent in his role as radio host and voice actor. Read More

Posted Feb 16, 2012

‘In the Next Room’ goes up Feb. 17

The Cornell College theatre department is putting on "In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play)," a provocative Tony-nominated sex comedy on Feb. 17, 18 and 24, 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. Read More

Posted Feb 09, 2012

“It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play,” Student Theater Council Winter Show

On Dec 13th, experience this holiday classic as if you were sitting in on a 1940′s recording studio. See 16 actors play over 60 characters and enjoy watching the foley artists perform the sound effects live on stage! Fun for all ages. Additional Public Info: Before the performance, enjoy seasonal family events beginning 6pm. Read More

Posted Dec 06, 2011

Theatre Production: “Company” book by George Furth, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

A breakthrough Broadway musical-comedy first produced in 1970, COMPANY remains fresh, acerbic, and original today. With the clashing sounds and pulsing rhythms of New York City underscoring this landmark show, it is considered by many to have inaugurated the modern era of musical theatre. COMPANY follows bachelor Robert on the night of his 35th birthday [...] Read More

Posted Dec 01, 2011

Honoring Mark Hunter

Current and former students gathered on Nov. 14 to remember the life and work of Mark Hunter, associate professor of theatre at Cornell College. Hunter died Nov. 6. During his career he directed hundreds of performances, and in his 10 years at Cornell was involved in many productions, as well as serving as a mentor [...] Read More

Posted Nov 15, 2011

Cornell and Riverside producing “The Cripple of Inishmaan”

Riverside Theatre, Iowa City’s resident professional theatre company will present The Cripple of Inishmaan by Martin McDonagh, October 28 through November 13. Ron Clark, Riverside’s Resident Artist and Production Manager, directs. The Cripple of Inishmaan is a co-production with Cornell College. The show runs Oct. 20, 21, 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 23 at 2 [...] Read More

Posted Oct 05, 2011

Theatre presents Waiting For Godot

The Department of Theatre at Cornell College will perform Samuel Beckett’s absurdist classic “Waiting for Godot” starting April 15, 16, 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. and April 17 at 2 p.m. in Kimmel Theatre. The play is directed by Cornell professor Jim VanValen and is the last main stage production of the year at [...] Read More

Posted Apr 04, 2011

Cornell and Lyric putting on “Pirates of Penzance”

The Cornell College Lyric Theatre will present a production of the perennial favorite The Pirates of Penzance. The Gilbert and Sullivan musical comedy is directed and choreographed by guest artist Steven Smeltzer with musical direction by Cornell professor Jonathon Thull. The production will run Feb. 3, 4, and 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 6 at [...] Read More

Posted Feb 01, 2011

“Twelfth Night” on stage in December

Cornell College will present William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, directed by Ron Clark. The show runs December 3rd, 4th, and 10th at 7:30 p.m., and December 5th, 11th, and 12th at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students. The show is performed at Cornell’s Plumb-Fleming studio theatre in Armstrong Hall. Students, faculty and [...] Read More

Posted Nov 29, 2010

Theatre Department presenting “Electra”

The Department of Theatre at Cornell College will present Electra, the classic Greek tragedy by Sophocles as the first offering in Cornell’s season of classical works. The play, which deals with themes of revenge, bloodlust, and obsession, is directed by Cornell theatre professor Mark Hunter and features one of the greatest female roles in western theatre. [...] Read More

Posted Oct 19, 2010

HAIG Lecture

Jim VanValen, assistant professor of theatre and communications, will give a lecture on Sep 9th titled “‘Waiting for Godot,’ ‘Looney Tunes,’ and the Liminal World of the Actor and the Theatrical Space.” In anticipation of the “Waiting for Godot” spring production, this lecture will explore moments of magic (and madness) within certain Western theatre conventions [...] Read More

Posted Sep 01, 2010

Cornell theatre professor and student featured at Minnesota Fringe Festival

Bloddeuwedd, a one-person show based on a Welsh legend, will receive its world premiere at the Minnesota Fringe. The show tells the story of a young woman who is magically fashioned from flowers, becomes enmeshed in a brutal marriage and a passionate affair, and is punished by being turned into an owl. Written and directed [...] Read More

Posted Aug 03, 2010

Cornell among 373 Best Colleges, theatre program among best in nation

Cornell College was selected as one of the best undergraduate institutions in the nation in the 2011 edition of The Princeton Review 373 Best Colleges, and its theatre program was ranked 15th in the nation. The ranking for Cornell’s theatre program increased from 16th last year to 15th this year. Reviews and rankings are based on [...] Read More

Posted Aug 03, 2010