2011 Summer Theatre Company gives performances at Bush Theatre

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The CMU Summer Theatre Company, consisting of only 12 students, performed three separate plays last week.

The 12 multi-faceted individuals brought “Shivaree,” “Proof” and “Guest Artist” to life at Bush Theatre, filling roles both on and off the stage. Students in the company were not only responsible for acting and memorizing lines, but also for the lighting, sound, costumes, props and staffing the theater.

Five performances total were held starting with “Proof” which was performed on Wednesday and once again on Saturday. “Guest Artist” was performed twice as well on Thursday and Sunday, and “Shivaree” could be seen on Friday.

Director of University Theatre Steve Berglund was pleased with the quality of the shows from the 2011 company thus far. The company will also perform in July at the Waterford Performing Arts Center and the Howmet Playhouse in Whitehall, where they will have to take props and large set pieces with them.

Berglund, who directed “Guest Artist,” looked for multi-talented individuals when auditions were held for the company back in February.

“When I cast a show, I try to pick the best actors for the role,” he said. “But putting a company together is different than putting a cast together. It’s pretty competitive in terms of the skill sets they bring to the audition.”

The productions have been no easy task for the students in the company, who have been practicing six days a week for almost five weeks. However, most of the students had no objection to the amount of experience they were getting.

Mount Pleasant junior Richard Bronson performed large roles as Joseph Harris in “Guest Artist” and Robert in “Proof,” and assisted director Keeley Stanley-Bohn for “Shivaree.” Bronson, who had never performed in Bush Theater before, was pleased with the experience offered from the summer company.

“It’s a great opportunity to learn everything about theater,” Bronson said. “(Joseph Harris) was by far the largest role I’ve ever had.”

New Lothrop junior Joshua Schiefer acted as the Ticket Man in “Guest Artist” and worked as the props master for the company. Schiefer enjoyed working with the small company, who he said became good friends throughout the many practices and rehearsals.

“You really get to experience all the aspects,” Schiefer said. “We even built the sets ourselves.”