BUSH, SCHULTZ AND VANCE PREPARE FOR THEIR SENIOR SHOWCASE EVENT NEXT WEEKEND
From the time they begin their journeys as freshman, students studying performance dream about what their senior show is going to be like. For Ava Bush, Kara Schultz and Chris Vance, that question will be answered on Saturday December 10 in the Viterbo Fine Arts Center Recital Hall. The three friends named their showcase "Title of the Senior Show", but don't be fooled. Their creativity stretches much farther than the title suggests.
The students have each put together a series of songs, scenes and dances that reflect who they are as individual artists. Chris Vance was seen playing Abraham in last spring's production of "Altar Boyz". He enjoys making people laugh with over-the-top characters and crazy facial expressions. "I am most excited for people to see my song from 'Seussical'," says Vance, "It is a beautiful song with a great message, and I love that character."
Choosing which pieces to represent their best work is a big challenge for seniors every year. With thousands of great plays and musicals available, it can feel nearly impossible to decide what to do. "I chose my pieces after a lot of research and talking to friends who had more specific knowledge about different time periods of theatre." Says Bush, "I also had several conversations with Matt, who is our teacher and advisor for our shows, on what pieces best fit my type and the kind of work I can look into after I graduate from Viterbo."
Besides deciding what pieces to perform, students are also in charge of directing and managing their show. Each senior is allowed a small cast to help them perform group numbers and scenes. Schultz explains, "I am trained as an actor, and it's really hard to step out of those shoes to direct or stage manage or choreograph. As the organizer of all of this, finding a time that me and my entire cast can meet that is not midnight is super difficult. "
While it is stressful to put together this type of production, the three look forward to seeing each other's work and attending the rest of their classmate's shows as the year progresses. "I am excited to see them explore their type within the theatre world," Says Vance, "I know that Kara and Ava have put in a lot of work this semester, and I love seeing them grow throughout this process. For the rest of my classmates, I am excited to see them start to pick their pieces and then see how they handle this whole process. And then I can't wait to share the war stories when we are all done in the spring!"
By the time the three have put the final touches on their shows, each one is sure to be as different as each of the students are. Each student has had a unique journey as they have discovered who they are as artists. Bush, who starred as Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet" this fall, has had an interesting path at Viterbo, which included switching majors in the middle of her junior year. "While making that switch was scary at the time, I know that the training I had helped me to where I am now," says Bush' "I am so thankful for the training and guidance I have gotten from both the music and theatre departments. The teachers that I have worked with have helped me to grow so far past who I was when I first got here."
The one-time-only performance is free to all students, faculty and family members. If you have not seen many Viterbo productions, it is a great chance to see what fine arts students are working to achieve. "We have gone on the journey for the past three or four years and we all want each other to succeed," says Schultz, "We are all a quirky, cuddly, tired, sarcastic extreme family. Everyone is probably going to give me flak for that, but I really do love my class and our beautiful dynamic. We have been through so much together, and it makes me proud to see the work we will have created because we are all a part of that."