After its opening weekend, November 12 to November 15, Siena’s Creative Arts Department and Stage III’s fall 2015 musical theater production of The Drowsy Chaperone has surely been a success.
Foy Hall’s Beaudoin Theatre was packed at each showing this past weekend as many Siena students and surrounding community members were transported away from reality to enjoy a witty parody of the typical American musical comedy of the 1920s.
Not only have the audience members gained something from their time at the theater, but so have the Siena community members who are participating in the musical, both on- and off-stage.
Valerie King ’16 worked with a professional wig designer to create pieces for the production as part of her Creative Arts capstone. Her capstone is a makeup design and a wig apprenticeship, meaning that she does all of the makeup designs for the characters; assists on all of the wig designs and stylings; and runs the wig/makeup departments while the play is on stage and in action.
“I took the makeup and costume design class last year with [Denise Massman] and realized how much I enjoyed it,” said King. “I have been looking into makeup schools for after graduation and thought this capstone would be a great bridge between graduating from Siena and moving on to further my education in makeup design. It has been a great learning experience!”
Many other students worked on the set construction and lighting, alongside new technical director, Obadiah Savage. Students from Siena’s Introduction to Theatre class have been working in the costume shop, while many members of the student-run Stage III club are participating both on-stage as characters and behind the scenes on sound, lights, and props.
Denise Massman, associate professor of creative arts and theatre design, is set designer for The Drowsy Chaperone, while Timothy Reno, assistant professor of creative arts, is musical director. Alumna Sharon Paluch ’87 returned to campus to participate as theatrical director of the production. Two alumni perform in the show, as well as Kate Kaufman-Burns, the musical director for the chapel, who plays the title’s character.
“We are building community by working collaboratively with faculty, staff, alumni, students and professional musicians and artists from the greater community,” said Massman.
This upcoming weekend is the musical’s last with showings on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (19th – 21st) at 8 p.m. Ticket prices are as follows: Adults $10, Non-Siena students & seniors $8, Siena Community $2. For more information regarding the production and tickets, call 518-783-2527.
