Feb 8th- 9:30- Dance WorkshopMaddox Theatre - See page 6 Feb. 19 -22 and 26 -28 - Ride the Cyclone- Cheek Theatre
28 - New Student/ Audition Day
Ride the Cyclone
In this hilarious and outlandish musical, the lives of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir are cut short in a freak accident aboard a roller coaster. When they awake in limbo, a mechanical fortune teller invites each character to tell a story to win a prize like no other — the chance to return to life. With an eclectic score and witty dialogue, Ride the Cyclone is a funny, moving look at what makes a life well-lived.
As their tenth wedding anniversary party commences, Charlie Brock, Deputy Mayor of New York City, seems to have just shot himself through the ear. Now he lies bleeding in the master bedroom and his wife Myra is nowhere in sight. The first guests, lawyer Ken Gorman and his wife Chris, scramble to get “the story” straight before the other guests arrive. As the confusions, cover-ups, miscommunications, and rumors mount, the evening spirals into a classic farce. Neil Simon is the renowned master of American comedy. In Rumors he shows how even the rich and famous can be driven to ridiculous behavior when confronted with a possible scandal or even the “rumor” of a scandal.
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Onstage with Artist Ensemble Theatre, The Equity Theatre in Residence at RU!
Margaret Chase Smith was a woman of firsts: In 1940, she was the first woman elected by the state of Maine to serve in Congress; nine years later she was the first woman the state elected to the Senate. And in 1950, she became the first senator to stand on the Senate floor and publicly rebuke Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin, who rose to power using post–World War II anti-Communist hysteria and ruined the lives of those who opposed him. Margaret Chase Smith’s “Declaration of Conscience” speech was a public act of defiance at a time when both Democrats and Republicans were cowed into silence for fear of retribution. It came at a cost: She was shunned by her colleagues, challenged in a primary, and McCarthy threatened to expose her personal secrets.
CONSCIENCE is the story of a remarkable woman who stood up for what was right and refused to back down.
We want to hear from our Alumni and spotlight you with current projects that you are working on or have booked. Keep us up to date so we can celebrate with you and shout you out for all of your talent! Please fill out the form from the QR code.
Prete holds an MFA in Directing from Northwestern University, a Bachelor's in Theater and Creative Writing from The University of Memphis, and he also graduated from the New Actors Workshop conservatory where he studied with Mike Nichols, Paul Sills, and George Morrison. David also studied Grotowski’s plastiques for three years with Andre Gregory. Prete is currently an Instructional Assistant Professor at Illinois State University where he teaches acting and directing, and lectures on theatre.
What is Plastiques?
Developed by visionary director Jerzy Grotowski, plastiques is a system of work that isolates each body part and breaks it down into a specific range of movements called “details." The head can be moved in only nine different directions or "details," the shoulder six, the chest five, and so on. These details become the physical vocabulary actors use to "converse" with each other. The rhythm and intensity of their movements create a physical conversation which is influenced by the flow of their desires, emotions, and the interpersonal energy they create in the moment. The goal of the work is to help actors act and react purely from their physical impulses, not their analytical mind.
Thank you to Rockford Area Arts Council and Rockford University for sponsoring this workshop!
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KianaRhodeos-BFA:MusicalTheatre-‘22
Kiana Rhodeos is a graduate from Las Vegas, Nevada. She began her studies at Rockford University in 2018, after graduating from Las Vegas Academy of the Arts. During her time at Rockford university she performed in numerous RUPA productions, including Hands On A Hardbody (2021), Bullets Over Broadway (2022), and more! She graduated Cum Laude with a BFA in Musical Theatre.
Since graduating, Kiana has been performing professionally in the industry. In 2023 she joined the cast of Giraffes Can’t Dance at Bay Area Children’s Theater in San Francisco, CA.
Soon after, Kiana traveled to Williamsburg, VA and joined Busch Gardens Williamsburg Entertainment. After her first few shows, she was hired as part-time entertainment, performing in all seasons at Busch. Her most recent performances were in 2 brand-new productions, Skeletones In Your Closet and Christmas Town Live! Kiana is currently performing in the Busch Gardens Mardi Gras season, and she is also signed with Resolute Artists Agency in New York City.
“My time at Rockford University was integral to my growth as a performer and person. During my time at RU, I had the most amazing theater and music professors that actually took time with me and my education. Their doors were always open for questions or advice…or just to chat! I will forever be grateful for the opportunities and knowledge they gave me. I am constantly thinking back to my education at RU when learning new shows and auditioning for future projects. Those lessons are always with me as I perform and audition in the real world.”
Ever wonder what it’s really like to build a life in musical theater after college? RU alum Daniel Switzer returns to campus to lead a practical, playful, and honest workshop for current students navigating their own path in performance. Drawing from professional experience in NYC’s theater, TV, and film worlds, this session explores storytelling through movement, music, and character, with space to create, experiment, and ask questions. This isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being present, prepared, and open to the work.
Workshop details Sunday, Feb 8
Clark Arts Center
Maddox Theatre
9:30am-12:30pm & 2:00pm-5:00pm
Back at RU, From the Other Side of the Table
Since graduating in 2011, Daniel has had a successful and fulfilling career in the performing arts. Most recently, he completed a 5 year run with the 1st National Tour of Frozen. Prior to that, Daniel has performed in Mean Girls on Broadway, Newsies LIVE on Disney+, and the 1st National Tour of Wicked, with numerous performances in New York City, including at the prestigious Lincoln Center.
Check out Daniel’s website to learn even more about what he has been up to after graduation from Rockford University! https://www.danielswitzer.com/
