By Mary Best
Managing Editor
St. Bonaventure’s motto preaches being extraordinary, and SBU Theater is no exception this year. With one production underway and two to go in its unconventional season, things are only looking brighter for the program celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Ed. Simone, director of the theater program, expressed his excitement for the special milestone in the program’s history while reflecting on the program’s origin. While there have been theater courses offered and productions performed regularly since 1965, there hasn’t always been an opportunity for students to come to Bonaventure to declare a major in theater.
“When I came in 2002, I knew we were going to have to rebrand the theater production element to coincide with the academic portion of the show,” Simone said.
Once a theater major was created, interest in the program grew quickly.
The program now boasts a growing amount of majors, minors and dual majors, Simone said. The program has fostered student internships in theater and has alumni now actively using their theater training.
The 2012-2013 season exhibits an ambitious lineup, including the drama “More than Before” by Kate Coughlin in September, and an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” later this fall.
Both plays will be performed in the Garrett Theater with members of the audience seated on three sides of the stage, Simone said. The three-quarter seating arrangement also features brand new chairs purchased with funds donated by friends, alumni and colleagues of the late, former theater and English professor Stephen Gray-Lewis.
“It was wonderful to bring that sort of seating to the theater,” Simone said. “We thank all of those people over the years who have contributed that money in Steve’s memory.”
The spring semester will showcase the quirky musical, “A Year with Frog and Toad” by Robert and Willie Reale, featuring joint efforts with students and faculty of the music program.
Simone has many goals for the department in the foreseeable future. Besides working to grow the major, he would like to bring in other directors.
“As much fun as I have directing (the students), they need to work with other professional directors who will give them different insights and different approaches to directing,” Simone said.
Ultimately, Simone, and his colleague Becky Misenheimer, associate professor of theater, aim to continue to make the theater program’s courses and productions valuable and essential parts of St. Bonaventure.
“We’ve opened the theater up to students, who have really embraced it and made it a much more vital part of the campus,” Simone said. “The percentage of students that come to our shows has grown exponentially, and it’s wonderful to have that support.”
With plenty to keep theater enthusiasts busy all year round, Simone appreciates the encouragement from Bonaventure students, administration, faculty and the local community.
Plans for the 10th anniversary include an exhibition in the Quick Center for the Arts opening on September 13. Pictures, costumes and props from productions from the last 10 years will be on display to celebrate SBU Theater’s legacy.
With nearly 25 productions under his belt as founder of the theater major, Simone is passionate as ever about the program he created a decade ago.
“It has been a great experience all around. It doesn’t seem like 10 years,” he said.
