Congratulations to the cast and crew of Noises Off on a successful opening!
Monday, February 24, 2020

Congratulations to everyone involved in Noises Off on a successful opening weekend! And thanks to everyone who celebrated with us at our alumni and scholarship receptions on opening night on Friday. We had a fabulous turnout and it was a joyous event for all. It was wonderful to see the TDPS community, past and present, come together for this special evening.

Junior theatre major and Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) scholar Philippos Sourvinos
spoke to alumni and donors about the value of scholarships and how they enable TDPS students to "fly."
Alumni and faculty mixed and mingled at the scholarship reception and cabaret after the opening of "Noises Off" on Friday.
We have a break from main stage productions in March, but we still have plenty going on! We are looking forward to the American College Dance Association (ACDA) conference that will take place in our spaces from March 4-7. Also check out details below about an upcoming student IPCCR presentation, Fall 2020 auditions, Kreativity Open Mic Night, and a book talk by Professor Faedra Chatard Carpenter.

Also, if you haven't already noticed, TDPS has a new website ! 🎉 Check out tdps.umd.edu to see the new look! Please send any feedback to tdpsmarketing@umd.edu.
  In this newsletter:

  • Recent events
  • Upcoming events
  • Feature stories
  • News
  • Opportunities

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Recent events
Noises Off
The Nothing On cast looks to their director, Lloyd Dallas (Kyle Starling ’20).
Brooke (Chloé Costello ’20) meditates while Belinda (Ariana Caldwell ’20) and Frederick (Ben Panah ’20) look on.
The cast of Nothing On , the play’s play within a play, frantically search for a missing contact lens.
Belinda enters the room in style, trailed by Frederick.
Frederick’s pants drop, yet again.
Directed by Lisa Nathans. Scenic design by Ryan Fox (M.F.A. Design ’20), costume design by Ashlynne Ludwig (M.F.A. Design ’22) and lighting design by J. Mitchell Cronin (M.F.A. Design ’22), sound design by Bill Brandwein, dramaturgy by Christen Mandracchia (Ph.D. candidate). Photo credit: Dylan Singleton.
Upcoming events
Noises Off
Friday, February 21 - Saturday, February 29
Kay Theatre, The Clarice

Written by Michael Frayn
Directed by Lisa Nathans

What else could go wrong? Tensions run high as Lloyd Dallas, the director of this play’s play-within-a-play, struggles to prepare his accident-prone cast for the opening of British bedroom comedy Nothing On. Missed cues, jealous lovers, a lost contact lens and a troublesome plate of sardines all conspire to ruin the performance. Michael Frayn’s award-winning farce details the hilarity that ensues behind the scenes of a theatrical production as characters attempt to untangle the chaos and salvage the play.

Get tickets here .
Kreativity Open Mic Night

Friday, February 28, 7:30PM
Cafritz Foundation Theatre, The Clarice

Join the Kreators of the Kreativity Diversity Troupe for an open mic night, full of music, dance and spoken word.

Want to try out your own performance chops? Show up and sign up! Just looking for a night of entertainment from some of the most talented students in the metro area? Simply take a seat and enjoy the show.
IPCCR Presentation: Victoria Scrimer and Christina Robson

Monday, March 2, 2PM
Room 1815, The Clarice

PhD candidate Victoria Scrimer and MFA candidate Christina Robson will present about their winter break experience in London, where they traveled for COMMS369D Documentary Film Making. Christina will show her short film about movement practice in London and Victoria will talk about the opportunities the course offers for students.
TDPS Fall 2020 Auditions

March 2 & 5
Cafritz Foundation Theatre, The Clarice

For the Fall 2020 semester, TDPS will be hosting a first round of auditions for both shows, Machinal and Orlando. Students will have the opportunity to strut their stuff for a panel of faculty members – including Scot Reese, Jennifer Barclay, Lisa Nathans and Leslie Felbain.

See the Theatre Fall 2020 flyer for more details.
Speaking of Books: Faedra Chatard Carpenter’s “Coloring Whiteness”

Tuesday, March 3, 2-3:30PM
Piano Room, Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library

Dr. Carpenter’s book, Coloring Whiteness: Acts of Critique in Black Performance (University of Michigan Press), received the Honorable Mention for ATDS’ John W. Frick Book Award for the best book in American theatre and drama in 2014 as well as the Honorable Mention for ASTR’s 2015 Errol Hill Award for outstanding scholarship in African American theater, drama, and/or performance studies. She speak about her research as part of the University Libraries’ series, Speaking of Books.

More information here .
American College Dance Association Conference

March 4-7
The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center

The American College Dance Association (ACDA) Mid-Atlantic North regional conference takes place at TDPS on March 4-7. The conference is an exciting celebration of dance in higher education. The schedule includes a wide variety of master classes, scholarly research presentations, opportunities for student and faculty exchanges in and out of the studio, adjudication and informal concerts, feedback sessions, a roundtable on dance writing, a faculty concert, and a Gala Concert. The conference will kick off with Odeon, a performance by Ephrat Asherie Dance on Wednesday, March 4.

Find out more information about the conference here .
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Feature stories
Theater Students Open New Doors to Ibsen’s ‘Doll House’

“I am so proud of the fierce group of women who took on this challenge,” said director Kathryn Chase Bryer. “They have lifted their voices to the occasion and tell the story with 100% commitment.”

Read the full story here . Read a review in The Diamondback

Nora shows Dr. Rank (Edima Essien ’21) the silk stockings she will wear in her Tarantella performance at the Christmas Eve costume party.
Photo credit: David Andrews.
Making All the Right Noise

Theatre students juggle chaos and fun in comedy ‘Noises Off.’

The fast-paced show has posed a challenge to our student actors. They’ve learned to stay in character amidst the chaos of the comedic situations and perform in the dialect required by the English setting. The countless transitions in both “Noises Off” and its play-within-a-play also demand collaboration among all members of the team — from actors and designers to stage managers and running crew. 

“Our ultimate goal during the process has been to collectively explore and learn what makes comedy compelling,” says director Lisa Nathans. “We’re excited for audiences to experience the vibrant chaos and fun.” 

Read the full story here .
The cast of “Nothing On,” the show’s play-within-a-play, frantically search for a missing contact lens.
Photo credit: Dylan Singleton.
These Undocumented Immigrants Are Creating Art to Share Their American Dreams

From The Washington Post

MFA dance candidate Gabriel Mata is “part of a growing subgenre of DACA stories that are being communicated as art, rather than congressional testimony or political commentary.”

He performed his solo This is where/I Begin at the Atlas Intersections Festival this past weekend. Check out this article about his work exposing the plight of a DACA recipient/Dreamer and the relationship of living in the United States.

Read the full story here. Gabriel also sat down for an interview with local arts journalist Lisa Traiger; read the interview here .
Photo courtesy of Gabriel Mata.
Photo credit Robert Woofter .
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News
  • PhD student Lindsey Barr is directing The Mineola Twins at Fells Point Corner Theatre in Baltimore. This is a comedy “in six scenes, four dreams and seven wigs.” The production runs from February 21 - March 15; more info and tickets here. Congratulations, Lindsey!
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Opportunities
  • NEW Interested in research funding opportunities? Check out the International Program for Creative Collaboration and Research (IPCCR) website for a list of grants, fellowships, and other funding opportunities here.

  • NEW Applications for the UMD Leadership Studies Program (minor/certificate) are now open. The Leadership Studies Program is a transdisciplinary academic program offering both minor and certificate options open to any undergraduate student at UMD regardless of major or home college/school. The program promotes undergraduate student leadership development by educating students for and about leadership in a complex world. Any undergraduate student who has taken HESI 217: Introduction to Student Leadership or is currently enrolled in the course to apply to our program and continue their work toward a minor or certificate in Leadership Studies. Haven’t taken HESI 217 yet? It’s offered every fall, spring, and summer and is a designated Scholarship in Practice course. Applications for this semester are due Sunday, March 15th by 11:59pm. For more information, visit the program’s website or email leadershipstudies@umd.edu.

  • The Clarice and Joe’s Movement Emporium are now seeking proposals for NextLOOK artist residencies for 2020-21. Established in 2014 through a partnership between The Clarice and Joe’s Movement Emporium, NextLOOK supports the development of new music, plays, dance, and other experiences by performing artists based in DC, Maryland, and Virginia who want to understand how their audience can become a creative partner. The deadline is March 6 and the recipients will be announced in April. View the flyer for more information; visit the website to fill out an application. Please contact Jane Hirshberg at janeh22@umd.edu with any questions.

  • Imagination Stage in Bethesda is seeking part-time box office associates and receptionists with weekend availability. These are part-time hourly positions with variable hours depending on availability, 8-24 hours/week, which will include Saturdays, Sundays, and/or weekday evenings. Occasional weekday shifts may be available. A candidate may be considered for both box office associate and receptionist responsibilities. Visit their website for more information.

  • Encore Stage & Studio is accepting applications from undergraduate students for their theatre internships for summer 2020. Click to find out more information about internships in Arts Management, Stage Management, and Secondary and Elementary Education Interns. Best consideration date for applications is March 1.

  • The Kennedy Center is launching a new career development offering, the Next Generation Leaders Scholarship Program. This program, which will pilot in summer 2020, seeks to cultivate talented individuals from underrepresented populations in the field to develop their knowledge and skills in arts administration. This effort will further the Center’s commitment to addressing a lack of diversity in arts administration. Check their website for more information and to apply. If you have questions regarding the scholarship program or our other career development programs, contact Megan Varn, Coordinator of Internship & Fellowship Programs.

  • The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is seeking interns and volunteers for this year’s festival in late June and early July. The Mentorship Program for a More Diverse Workplace (for young women of color) offers a stipend of $1500 for at least 100 hours. The Minority Awards Program-Internship (minority students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents) offers a $650/week stipend for 10 weeks (40 hours per week). More information and deadlines can be found on their website. If you are interested in volunteering (Portuguese speakers are preferred), you can sign up for more information here.

  • The Shakespeare Theatre Company is seeking part-time Assistant House Managers. Under the direction of the Theatre Services Manager, this position serves as a key member in welcoming our patrons to the theatre and ensuring their safety. Responsibilities for this entry-level position include training ushers, greeting and seating patrons, and maintaining a high level of customer care and safety under the direction of the Lead House Managers. Must be available for at least two shifts per week, including nights and weekends. Apply on their website or send a cover letter, resume, and references to employment@shakespearetheatre.org.
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The School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies
advances and transforms the research and practice of the performing arts
through a commitment to excellence and innovative education.

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Kate Spanos, Coordinator of Marketing & Communications
Becky Hill, Graduate Assistant