The Taming of the Shrew
Playwright: William Shakespeare
Director: Roy Hamlin

This version of the tri-annual Cornell Shakespeare play was cross-gender cast with 17 women playing men and three men playing women to comment on the play's themes of gender identity. Shrew was designed by seniors Abraham Peterka (scenery) and Lindsay Stang (costumes). It was presented in the College's historic chapel. 

An Italian Straw Hat
Playwright: Eugene La Biche
Director: Ron Clark

Straw Hat marked two more Irene Ryan acting nominations for Trina Nance (Clara) and Brent Hazelton (Fadinard). Directed by Ron Clark, the 1998 mainstage extended our comedic season emphasis with slapstick physicality, farcical situations, and an energetic cast. Photos for this show and next by Paul Sannerud. The elaborate modified wing-and-drop effect of the scenery was actually created with revolving scenic units with multiple sides, and an earlier topics course in Scene Painting allowed faculty designerPaul Sannerud to lead the crew in creating some amazing visuals to support Clark's vision of a cartoon-like Paris. The exagerrated turn-of-the-century clothing was by sabbatical replacement guest faculty Cynthia Abel.

The Cherry Orchard
Playwright: Anton Chekov, David Mamet trans.
Director: Ron Clark

Orchard was produced in conjunction with the Riverside Theatre, arranged with producing director Hovland and artistic director Ron Clark, seen at either side of the far right photo. Cherry Orchard inlcuded the work of many professional guest artists, including costume designer Susan Wolverton, faculty at nearby Coe College, and lighting designer Paul Black . Adjunct Cornell faculty Ron Clark acted in the role of Gayev while Iowa City actor, Dick Houston, played Firs, and former University of Iowa theatre faculty Cosmo Catalano joined the production as Pishchik. Professors and students acting together was a theme of the casting, as Clark and Hovland were students of Catalano, and the Cornell theatre students are taught by these two professionals. Cornell students in this production presented the play for four performances at Cornell, followed by eight performances in two weekends at the professional Riverside Theatre in Iowa City.

The Skin of Our Teeth
Playwright: Thorton Wilder
Director: Paul Sannerud

The Skin of Our Teeth had a production concept which mixed post-modern influences with board game imagery. Act One, as The Game of Life, is seen here, Act Two was conceived as Monopoly/Boardwalk, and Act Three, which happens after the "Great War", was conceived in terms of the game Risk. Faculty Paul Sannerud designed the lighting as well as directing, and faculty Roy Hamlin designed scenery as well as costumes.
 

Sex with Pirandello
Playwright: Brent Boyd (Alumni, original)
Director: Abe Peterka

The Diary of Anne Frank
Playwrights: Hackett & Goodrich
Director: Ron Clark

The scenery and costuming for Anne Frank departed slightly from the naturalistic tradition, employing slide projections and silk-screened t-shirts.This supported director Ron Clark's approach to make the work as accurate as possible, for example using the actual people's names (rather than Anne's coded diary references). The images for the production were taken from research. Anne's actual signature was on every costume, and can be seen in this projected scenic slide. The production was enhanced by the anniversary of the diary's publication, the new edition of the unedited diary, and an open, post-performance discussion with Holocaust survivor Simone Soria.

HMS Pinafore
Playwrights: Gilbert & Sullivan
Directors: Roy Hamlin, Cinda Thomas

This production was presented in conjuction with Cornell's music department. The two programs try to coordinate an Opera Workshop intensive experience regularly. The music department produces a music theatre presentation yearly.

HMS Pinafore featured the work of two guest artists in performance, Ezechial Thurman as Rafe, and David Rhaim as Deadeye.

Goodnight Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet
Playwright: Ann-Marie MacDonald
Director: Roy Hamlin

Goodnight Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet featured ACTF Irene Ryan acting scholarship nominee Jennifer Carmichael as Desdemona. The production also featured scenic design by senior Jennifer Jobe.

The Lion in Winter
Playwright: James Goldman
Director: Howard Orms

This production, presented at Homecoming, was directed by guest alumni director Howard Orms, class of 1939.The Lion in Winter was presented with guest artist Ron Cartellone as Henry II.

All the Way Home
Playwright: James Agee adapted by Tad Mosel
Director: Roy Hamlin

All the Way Home was set just after the turn of this century. Both the play and its source novel, A Death in the Family, received the Pulitzer Prize, first in Literature, and then in Drama. All the Way Home featured American College Theatre Festival Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Nominee G. Zachariah White. This production had costumes designed by guest artist faculty Ursula McCarty, of Cornell's art department.

Contact Information

Department of Theatre and Communications

Cornell College
600 First Street West
Mt Vernon, IA 52314

(319) 895-4233
theatre@cornellcollege.edu