Traditionally, senior projects have been staged performances or written theses. But Hines envisioned a costume show with designs based on architecture he saw during the last semester. His cross-cultural leader, Professor, agreed to advise the project.

Senior theater projects, Poole says, are “a place for students to experiment and take the art they’ve been working on for four years in new directions … and do it in a way that’s going to help them further enhance their creative expressions.”

Once in Europe, however, Hines was inspired by more than just art and architecture.

“Everything is less constricted within society,” he explains. He particularly noticed the contrast in rigidity between American and European gender roles.

In the show, traditionally male clothing will be worn by female actors. However, a formal gown inspired by Austrian painter Gustav Klimt’s work will be displayed on a mannequin.

“It was hard to get men who are willing to wear clothing that would not be considered men’s clothing. So I’m embracing that … it’s a part of our community, and something we need to address,” says Hines. Other pieces were inspired by a clock tower in Prague, Austrian Jewish folklore and a Parisian experimental theater piece reflecting on European religiosity.

“I want to try to break away from that strong dichotomy of male and female. I want to show that it’s a spectrum. Also, if you feel you fit into that strong dichotomy, what that looks like is going to be very different to different people.”

Another norm Hines eschews in “Redefine Me” is buying new materials to create costumes. While he has a rich history of involvement in EMU drama – from student-run GONZO theater to Mainstage productions – last spring’s The Prophet was his first experience both designing and constructing costumes.

“I found that with creating costumes from new material, there’s a lot of waste involved,” he says. Hines is using that “waste” from The Prophet, as well as donated and thrift shop-bought materials, to create all the costumes in “Redefine Me.” Also unique is his method of “devised costuming,” in which he provides materials, designs, and direction to a team who influences the finished costume as they construct it.

“I’m excited to see what happens,” says Poole.

Hines has loved theater since childhood, when his family attended performances at James Madison University. He entered EMU as an education major, but a Theater for Youth and Children class with Professor caused him to rethink. Along with Poole and theater major Ezrionna Prioleau, he’s volunteered with On the Road Collaborative to bring after-school theatrical expression to Skyline Middle School students.

“It was a natural progression” into theater, he says, “because that’s what I really love.” After graduation, Hines plans to move to Washington, D.C. to pursue theater production or movement-based drama.

Hines stresses that all are welcome and all will encounter the unexpected at “Redefine Me.”

“I would encourage anyone to come and see the interactive gallery no matter what they know about it, no matter how they might think they’ll feel about it.”

“The 39 Steps” runs March 31-April 8 with 7:30 p.m. evening performances March 31 and April 1, 6 & 8, and 3 p.m. matinees Sunday, April 2 and Saturday, April 8.

“This production is a mashup of Looney Tunes, Charlie Chaplain, Monty Python, and good old-fashioned spy thrillers,” said director , professor of theater.

Poole wanted actors who take risks and are “great, generous collaborators.” In part, because the seven-character ensemble takes on over 100 roles, including inanimate objects —floor lamps, telephones, armchairs.

At a recent rehearsal, it’s clear Poole got the cast he needed. Their commitment and enthusiasm are palpable. In addition—they appear to be having fun.

“I’m honored to be working with such a dedicated group of student actors and crew,” Poole said. “They never cease to exceed my expectations.”

Show grows out of research and improv

The ensemble’s preparation included watching favorite videos of old film clips, sketch comedy shows, and cartoons, following by a discussion on how their research could inform performance choices.

The show also has grown out of improvisations and the actors’ creativity and unique interpretation, said Clara Bush. The junior theater major plays the three main female roles. “It isn’t like a standard play you would go to see. It is inventive, truly special, and absolutely hilarious. I have laughed harder working on this show than I have in a long time.”

Comedies play an important role in building community, Poole said. “They remind us of one of the most vital aspects of our shared humanity: a sense of humor.”

Make ’em laugh

The players take their work seriously, perfecting a frenetic pace of humorous antics and accents. Props suddenly appear and disappear; sets move constantly and an abundance of sound effects and Hitchcock’s atmospheric music come together in an intricate choreography, thanks to Poole’s staging and his competent cast and crew.

Senior theater major Jeremiah Hines moves flawlessly through the chaos as Clown Member 3. His job one minute is to move an interactive set piece and in the next moment, he becomes a floor lamp and telephone. In addition, his responsibilities include creating ambient sounds and sound effects.

“Throughout the entire play, I play a clown character that makes the world appear and disappear,” he said.

Because the show isn’t meant to be taken seriously, audiences can “sit back and enjoy the ride,” Poole said. “This piece is pure entertainment. I think that people of all ages will enjoy the high comedic energy of the actors. It’s like watching a highly choreographed magic show with dynamic comedic performers.”

Tickets are available through EMU’s box office online at or by calling 540-432-4582 between 10:30 a.m.-2:30 pm weekdays. Tickets vary from $9-14. EMU students $5.

“The 39 Steps” Cast and Crew

Collin Dutt: Hannay

Clara Bush: Pamela, Margaret, Annabella

Emma Roth: Clown 1

Abigail Greaser: Clown 2

Jeremiah Hines: Clown 3

Robert Weaver: Clown 4

Dylan Peachey: Clown 5 (assistant stage manager)

Jim Clemens: Musician

Ethan Eldred and Esther Ajayi: Sound and Foley

Ezrionna Prioleau: Stage Manager

and Phil Grayson: Lights and sets

Holly Labbe: Costumer

The production is based on the book of the same name by Andrew Carvin, a Washington D.C.-based journalist who covered the seismic political and cultural shifts in the Middle East via social media as they were unfolding from 2010 to 2012.

Carvin participates in process

The Carvin connection came through former EMU professor Paulette Moore, who met him at a conference and invited him to Skype in the fall of 2014 with EMU students in her social media class. , assistant professor of theater, was intrigued by the connection with Carvin.

Poole had worked with an Arab cultural organization in Philadelphia earlier in his career and had traveled to Egypt shortly before the Arab Spring took off. He’d thought for several years that those events would make for powerful theater.

and social media classes, led by Poole and , initially adapted the book for the stage in the fall of 2014. To this process, Poole brings years of academic and professional experience: One of his specialities is devised theater and ensemble play development.

“I would come in with an outline, we would improvise some pieces, I would go back and write, and it just started to evolve,” Poole says. “We took recordings Andy Carvin did and blog posts outside his book and combined them to make the actual performance. The students have been a huge part in helping to shape what this piece has become from the beginning until now.”

A , with student actors reading from scripts, took place on campus in May 2015 with support from the Arts Council of the Valley and EMU’s . Carvin was on hand to provide comments and suggestions. Poole made adjustments after that, including some changes in the script and the addition of a second video camera on stage.

Multi-media

The resultant play is framed via a reporter who is interviewing Carvin, while a Greek chorus-style group speaks the Tweets from Carvin’s reporting and video images flash on three screens and even on the floor. Actors often speak directly to the cameras and sometimes go through the audience. A live score by Jim Clemens, which whom Poole has collaborated on a number of projects, helps to balance the intensity with more reflective moments.

VACA professor Jerry Holsopple’s motion graphics class created the cyperspace visualizations that play on two screens.

“This adds to the complexity of the show, as we experience the constant flowing information, much of which we don’t understand,” Holsopple says. “This confluence of information, confusion and intensity should keep the viewer on edge. The third screen will be a live camera from the stage itself, so in a way everything is mediated with screens.”

“It’s a very immersive theatrical piece,” Poole adds. “The audience should feel very much in the midst of it as Andy Carvin was as he was following all these events. All the people who appear in the play are real people, and 90 percent of the dialogue is from tweets, blog posts, and other sources. It’s kind of a big, epic piece.”

The play runs about 90 minutes with no intermission, and a 15-minute talkback session follows each performance. The show includes some profanity and violent imagery due to its real-life content.

All performances are at 7:30 p.m. except Sunday, April 10, which will be a 3 p.m. matinee. Tickets are available at the EMU Box Office or by calling 540-432-4582.

Cast and Crew

Director and Adaptor: Justin Poole

Video Design: Jerry Holsopple

Music Composition: Jim Clemens

Scene Design: Phillip Grayson

Costume Design: Holly Labbe

Lighting Design: David B. Vogel

Sound Design: Ethan Eldred

Stage Manager: Ezrionna Prioleau

Assistant Director: Rachelle Kratz

CHARACTERS

Makayla Baker: Reporter

Clara Bush: @angryarabiya

Bryce Hagan: Mo

Jeremiah Hines: Tom MacMaster

Caitlin Randazzo: Perditta

Rose Sanicola: Asmaa

Celeb Townsend: Andy Carvin

Rachel Cardwell, Macson MacGuigan, Kara Painter, Damon Pyles:  Camera Operators

Kaylin Richardson: Video Switcher

PRODUCTION ARTISTS

Assistant Stage Managers: Hailey Holcomb, Kara Painter, Katie Taylor

Technical Director: David B. Vogel

Dramaturge: Derrick Turner

Assistant Costume Designers: Grace Eldred, Belen Yoder, Cela Hoefle

Cyberspace Creative Team: Jacob Brown, Jonathan Bush, Rachel Cardwell, Claire Fry, Madeline Martinez, Kaylin Richardson, Caleb Townsend

Master Electrician: Jonathan Nofziger

Lighting Crew: Jeremiah Hines, Elisha Keener, Yesly Lim, Caitlin Randazzo, Rose Sanicola, Isaac Tice, Rein Wenger

Light Board Operator: Luis Longo, Angel Mallard

Live Sound Mixer: Josh Miller, Evan Knappenberger

Sound Board Operator: Ethan Eldred

Construction Supervisor:  Shannon Dove

Construction and Technical Crew: Jeremiah Hines, Hailey Holcomb, Elisha Keener, Yesly Lim, Kara Painter, Ezrionna Prioleau, Caitlin Randazzo

Public Relations Coordinator: Ezrionna Prioleau

Cast Photographs: Kara Painter

House Manager: Christian Parks

The work is “a kinetic and reverent retelling of the Gospels that takes as its inspiration the Baroque art of Rembrandt and Caravaggio,” according to Poole.

It was commissioned by Asbury’s and will be performed in the church’s recently renovated Slaven Hall, utilizing for the first time its new state-of-the-art theatrical lighting system.

In addition to Poole and Clemens, the creative team includes adjunct faculty members , costume designer and movement coach, and , lighting designer, and student Ezrionna Prioleau, stage manager.

“The Gospels still have the potential to challenge and surprise,” says Poole. “Showcasing these stories through a blend of sculptural poses, atmospheric lighting, and mood-setting music allows audiences to experience the life of Jesus with fresh eyes.”

Poole says the performance will appeal to “believers and doubters, church goers and non-churchgoers, theater enthusiasts and non-theater enthusiasts … I think what really comes through in this production is the humanity of Christ.”

In the process of translating the Gospels into a two-person theater piece, Clemens has composed music spontaneously. He’ll perform on a variety of instruments during the production.  The process “has allowed me to experiment,” Clemens says. “When I respond to something he’s doing or saying, it often triggers a response from him, so that the piece grows organically. We’re free to tell each other ‘More of that’ or ‘That doesn’t work, try this.’”

Snow dates and times: Friday, Feb. 5 and Saturday, Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m.

The Tony-nominated Broadway musical “A Year with Frog and Toad” is based on author/illustrator Arnold Lobel’s “Frog and Toad” children’s book series. The musical, directed by professor opens Nov. 20. Additional performances are Nov. 21 and Dec. 3, 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m. with matinees Nov. 22 and Dec. 5 at 3 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through the EMU box office at 540-432-4582 or .

“Our production is set here in the Shenandoah Valley and the animals are the kind you would find in the woods and ditches right here in western Virginia,” says Vogel. Her vision was to have the actors portray human characters with animal qualities instead of being in animal costumes. “The actors have studied the way the animals move and are using that in their portrayals. Also, the characters reflect folks you might meet here too.”

For history major Derrick Turner, assistant director and dramaturg, the show brings back memories. “I loved those books. My mom read them to me when I was a child.”

To spark the actors’ imaginations, Turner conducted extensive research with EMU professor and conservation photographer . He then compiled movement videos and information on each portrayed animal for the actors, including habitat, food and skeletal structures.

EMU hasn’t done a children’s play in at least a decade, Vogel says, but the play meets the ‘s educational goals. “Theater for Young Audiences (TYA) is a hugely important genre of theater that our students should have experience performing and producing. Children are a different audience than adults.”

The cast will perform three additional matinees for students from six local schools and three home school groups, says Turner, who made study packets accessible for K-5 grades.

“Adults are much more well-behaved, but I find performing for children is a much more interactive experience,” says actor Josh Helmuth, a music composition major who performed for elementary students while in high school.

Helmuth portrays four animals, including a showy bird and a straight and narrow lizard. “Yeah, I don’t get a break,” he says, smiling.

Playing animals has never been a favorite role for English and theater double-major Makayla Baker. “I don’t like when people portray animals. It’s so weird. But here I am—I’m a turtle,” she deadpans. “But it’s been great.”

Baker’s turtle is a laundry woman carrying a basket on her back and a scrub board around her neck.

Myriam Aziz, a graduate student in the master’s conflict transformation program, was cast as Frog. “A female playing a part for a male, I think that’s really funny,” says Aziz, who is active in theater in Lebanon. But having a male as a pal, she says, “reminds me of my friend back home. We’ve been friends for 13 years.”

The cast and crew agree that even though “A Year With Frog and Toad” is based on a children’s book series, adults will also appreciate the cheerful upbeat musical.

“There’s a lot of comedic effect in it,” Helmuth says.

“It is funny,” says Baker, noting that the EMU community is inviting younger family members and people from their church to the show. “A lot of EMU students were raised on these books.”

Cast

Myriam Aziz, Christian Parks, Ezrionna Prioleau, Bianica Baker, Esther Ajayi, Josh Helmuth, Makayla Baker, Zoe Parakuo, Hailey Holcomb

Crew

Director – Heidi Winters Vogel
Choreographer and Costume Designer –
Accompanist – Jim Clemens
Stage Manager – Caitlin Randazzo
Assistant Stage Managers – Lydia Hales and Belen Fernandez
Props Designers – Alex Rosenberg and Kevin Clark
Assistant Lighting Designer – Sierra Comer
Assistant Director and Dramaturg – Derrick Turner
Music Director –
Set Designer –
Lighting Designer –

“Twelfth Night: A Musical Remix” will be performed by a troupe of actors from ��ݮ���� and at the in Washington D.C. Performances will be July 9, 18, 21, 23 and 25 at the Trinidad Theatre.

The production is visually and kinetically dynamic, with music, choreography, make-up and costumes inspired by carnivals and underwater dance. It has been adapted, directed and produced by Assistant Professor of Theater , with an original score composed by James E. (Jim) Clemens.

“This is an opportunity to showcase our work and our student actors to an international audience in a major metropolitan area and important cultural center,” Poole said.

The Capital Fringe Festival takes place over 18 days in July with over 140 productions, roughly 800 individual performances, showcasing 5,000 artists. Organizers encourage potential performers to “express their talents and to develop their artistic freedom without any curatorial barriers,” according to the website.

“This is a massive international festival,” Poole said, “and the fact that it’s unjuried encourages innovation and creativity. Anyone can come and perform, but at the same time, it’s a place where well-known professionals can be innovative, venture into new art forms, experiment and take risks.”

While the original production was technically ambitious, with swings and a rotating piano, Poole says the “remix” has been condensed and simplified to meet festival requirements. Despite what he calls “trimming the fat” – from three hours to 70 minutes and from 11 actors to six – the most compelling features are intact, including the makeup, costumes and original musical score, sung by the actors and accompanied by Clemens on piano and EMU sophomore Jacinda Stahly on violin.

“This production enables us to tell the same sweeping story while relying more heavily on the essential components of any theatrical production: the actors’ voices, bodies and imaginations,” Poole said.

The cast, comprised of students, alumni, and former students, includes MaKayla Baker, Holly Hanks, Clara Bush and Shannon Dove. Belen Fernandez is the make-up artist. Rachelle Kratz is assistant director and stage manager. Costumes are created by Ama Ansah, based on the original designs of Holly Labbe.

The cast also includes actors from Wanderlust Theatre Company co-founded by Poole and his wife, Amanda. The company specializes in experimental productions of classical works and the development of original performances inspired by border crossings and cultural issues.

Performance Dates and Times

Thursday, July 9 at 6 p.m.

Saturday, July 18 at noon

Tuesday, July 21 at 9:45 p.m.

Thursday, July 23 at 6 p.m.

Saturday, July 25 at 8:15 p.m.

All performances are Trinidad Theatre. For venue information, directions and tickets to the Capital Fringe Festival, visit or call (866) 811-4111.

Editor’s Note: On July 26, with recognition for Favorite Musical, Favorite Ensemble and Favorite Overall Show. Additionally, three actors were among those honored as Favorite Performers: Holly Hanks, Sean Byrne and Shannon Dove.