Department Of Theatre And Media Arts

Brigham Young University’s Department of Theatre and Media Arts will present a performance of “Our Town” Tuesday through Saturday, Nov. 21-22 and Dec. 2-11 in the Pardoe Theatre. The play will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, with additional Saturday matinee performances at 2:00 p.m.

BYU students Wesley Tippetts and Daniel Clark received the Gold Medal for animation at the Student Academy Awards in Hollywood last weekend for their film, Owned.

LOS ANGELES – Fifteen student filmmakers from around the world were honored with Academy Awards on Saturday night in a preview of the showbiz excitement that likely awaits them in the years ahead. Previous winners have gone on to receive 46 Oscar nominations and have won eight statuettes.

What started as a CFAC student’s writing assignment for a playwriting class is becoming a publication of Samuel French, Inc., one of the most distinguished play-publishing companies in the U.S. Ariel Mitchell, a recent TMA graduate, received the 2013 Harold and Mimi Steinberg National Student Playwriting Award at the National Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. While a 10-minute selection of her play was being read by equity actors in a Millennium Stage reading, representatives of Samuel French liked what they heard and decided to publish her play, A Second Birth, on June 18. “It is unreal. I still don’t believe it’s happening,” Mitchell said. “I’ve been incredibly blessed to have this opportunity so early in my life.” A Second Birth shares the struggles of a poor Afghani girl named Nasima, who is raised a boy to improve the family’s social and economic standing in their community. Nasima wrestles with past relationships and future traditions on her way to self-discovery. Through her strife the play tackles important contemporary issues. “I hope that through publication the play will be able to go on and reach many other people and encourage conversations about gender, love, family and friendship in their communities,” Mitchell said. Mitchell recently finished her first year at the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing program in the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. For the second and final year of her program Mitchell will work with a partner to write a 90-minute musical, her master’s thesis. She and her collaborator are writing a musical comedy about a girl raised by a Mormon father and a Jewish mother who has to choose what she believes without alienating her parents or relatives. As a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mitchell finds inspiration for her plays wherever she can. “I’ve always been happier to listen than talk and be heard,” Mitchell shared. “I joke with my friends and family and say they should sign a waiver before getting too close to me, because somehow their lives are going to end up on stage.” Mitchell noted that the success of A Second Birth would not be possible without the training and education she received while in the TMA program. “I am most grateful for the professors who work so hard to pull the best out of their students, work with the Spirit and teach and encourage each individual’s process, goals and stories,” Mitchell said. “It gave me assurance that I am a talented theatrical artist and that I can create good work while still keeping and bearing testimony.” The success of A Second Birth may have come as a surprise to Mitchell, but the experience has strengthened her personal faith. “I never expected it to be published. All I can say is if you work hard, God opens doors,” Mitchell said.

Tickets on sale now for performances from May 30 to June 14 Oscar Wilde’s children’s story The Selfish Giant, a play about friendship, faith and the power of transformation, comes to life on the BYU stage later this month. Through the use of puppets and live actors, BYU Theatre presents a unique look at this universal and timeless allegory of Jesus’ love for all of us. The play focuses on a self-centered giant who is at first unwilling to share his beautiful garden with the children who long to play in it but then finds happiness when he at last welcomes the youngsters onto his patch of lovely earth. The Selfish Giant Story by Oscar Wilde Adapted for the Stage by Teresa Dayley Love Directed by Jennifer and Nat Reed Performance Schedule May 30-31, June 5-7, 11-13, 7 pm May 31, June 5, 7, 13, 14, 2 pm ASL interpreted performance: June 5, at 7 pm Post-show discussion with the cast following the evening performances on June 5 and 12 Playing With Performance Workshops Playing with Performance workshops will be held prior to matinees on June 5, 7, 13 and 14 Tickets: http://arts.byu.edu Tickets are available online $12 ($4 off weeknights/$3 off weekends with BYU or student ID, $2 off for senior citizens or BYU alumni) $6 matinees Age 2+: free, with paid admission Source: BYU News

Frank Wildhorn, a famous American composer known for both his musicals and popular songs, visited BYU in October 2013. Wildhorn taught a master class to MDT students where they rehearsed some of his critically acclaimed Broadway songs and received his in-the-moment coaching.

Seven BYU playwrights worked tirelessly for weeks to create a performance that included seven, 7 minute plays in what came to be known as the Microburst Theatre Festival. Under the direction of George Nelson, an associate professor in the Department of Theatre and Media Arts (TMA), the group acquired five actors to play all the roles. The show went on to receive three prestigious awards at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF). Student playwriting achievements have been celebrated at KCACTF throughout the nation for over 40 years. These BYU playwrights put in weeks of work, and the stories they told have been received with near universal acclaim. According to Nelson, these playwrights all have one thing in common. “This is the writing of my very beginning playwriting students,” Nelson said in regard to the KCACTF awards. “I’m really kind of flabbergasted.” The plays, written by Taryn Politis, Amy McGreeby, Katie Jarvis, Amberly Lourde, Amanda Welch, Chelsea Hickman and Chauntel Lopez, tackle the topic of love in comical and touching ways, exploring its unpredictable and sometimes awkward development. Students won the Distinguished Production of New Work Award and a Performance Award for Distinguished Achievement. Nelson was recognized at KTCACTF as well, receiving the Distinguished Direction of a New Work Award. Wade Hollingshaus, a fellow TMA faculty member, received the Excellence in Theatre Education Award at the festival as well. Hollingshaus mentioned that his coworkers help make these recognitions possible. “I love working in TMA. The TMA faculty–we have great relationships, we have great respect for each other,” Hollinghaus said. “I want to continue to work in this environment, and to make sure to do my part so the environment stays the way that it is.” Nelson said that playwriting is most rewarding when writers get an opportunity to see their work performed, receive feedback on it and rewrite the script. This pattern has proven to be successful with BYU’s popular sketch comedy group, Divine Comedy, which Nelson advises. He decided to try this rigorous system with these new playwrights. “This was our first attempt to do that, and to get this kind of a reaction–it’s remarkable,” Nelson said happily. “If BYU is to distinguish itself from other universities that exist in the world, the greatest opportunity we have to do that is in writing. If we get good at it, then we can change the landscape of the theatrical world.” Nelson noted that while modern views of love take on a variety of perspectives, the Microburst Theatre Festival attempts to show the truth about love without being crude or vulgar. “We don’t have to reflect the voice of the world,” he said.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recently announced the 2014 list of Student Academy Award finalists, and on that list is BYU animation project “Owned.”

A YouTube series created by a BYU Theatre and Media Arts professor and alumnus is receiving recognition in festivals in Utah and throughout the country. “Pretty Darn Funny,” created by Jeff Parkin and Jared Cardon, is a web series sponsored by Deseret Book. The comedy has led the charge as the first Church-sponsored entry into scripted entertainment that has since yielded shows like “Studio C” and “Granite Flats.” It recently was nominated for 10 awards at the 3rd Annual Filmed in Utah Awards, where it won three: Best YouTube Channel, Best Ensemble Cast and Best Director. Parkin, the series’ director, said that he and many other colleagues wanted to create a show that anyone could watch and enjoy. “We hear from a lot of people that they watch it as a family, which is something that makes us really happy–families watching entertainment together,” Parkin said. The show recently finished its second season. The first season centers on Gracie Moore, played by Lisa Clark, a mother who forms a comedy troupe with local women to provide a clean venue for families to be entertained. The second season focuses more on Moore’s relationship with her family–ups and downs, and typical confrontations as well as successes. “I think we and Deseret Book are interested in telling stories about normal people and the fact that we makes mistakes–that it’s normal and it can be funny–instead of getting caught up in perfectionism,” Cardon said. “Laughing at your mistakes is good, and it’s healthy,” Parkin added. For the first season, BYU offered students an opportunity to work the series in exchange for university credit, and around 75 TMA students participated. For season two, about 95 percent of the current cast and crew are either BYU alumni or BYU students. The series has also produced three parody music videos. “Downton Abbey Rap,” “The Hunger Games: Moms vs. Kids!” and “Mom Footloose” have over 341,000 YouTube views combined. Though the series is targeted at an audience of LDS moms, the series gets exceptional engagement with nearly 700,000 views on its channel. Parkin and Cardon both agree that comedy can be family friendly and still be hilarious. “Even though the show is made in Utah and is sponsored by an LDS company, we continue to get lots of positive feedback from fans of divers backgrounds and faiths,” Cardon said. “It’s a great representation of who we are at BYU and as members of the Church.” Watch Pretty Darn Funny for free at www.youtube.com/user/prettydrnfunny Awards & Nominations (Wins are in Bold) Filmed in Utah Awards: 10 Nominations, 3 Wins

After a successful show and master class fall 2013, Frank Wildhorn has chosen BYU to be the venue for the upcoming 'Count of Monte Cristo' musical, for the first time on American soil. The show will be performed by BYU students in January 2015. Read complete article in the Deseret News.

Brigham Young University’s Department of Theatre and Media Arts will present Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” Friday, March 21, through Friday, April 4, in the Pardoe Theatre at 7:30 p.m., with 2 p.m. Saturday matinees on March 22 and 29.

BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications (CFAC) graduates Paul Winkelman and Caleb Chapman received Star Awards at the 9th annual “Evening of Stars Gala” at the SCERA Center for the Arts this year. This year, 10 awards were given to individuals or groups for their contributions and achievements in the arts. SCERA President and CEO Adam J. Robertson said that these awards go far beyond the SCERA Center itself. “We like having the opportunity to honor those who enrich our lives by their talents, their time, their support and their creativity,” Robertson said. Both Winkelman and Chapman currently work at Utah Valley University. Winkelman said that while it is nice to be recognized for his accomplishments, there is a greater purpose to his art. “The most important thing is that through the arts we touch and change lives, whether that be as an audience member or the performer,” Winkelman said. “I am so honored and touched to receive this award.” Winkelman received degrees in Theatre Arts Education and Theatre and Media Arts from the CFAC, and is best known for his choreography work on the 2002 Winter Olympics and in the movie “High School Musical 3.” Currently, he directs UVU’s Ballroom Dance Company. Chapman received a degree in music in 2002 and is currently the director of UVU’s Sonic Exchange, an ensemble that blends indie, soul and pop music. He is also a finalist for the first ever Grammy Music Educator Award, which will be presented later this year.

Brigham Young University’s Department of Theatre and Media Arts will present the Tony Award-winning “A Man for All Seasons” Friday, March 7, through Saturday, March 22, in the Margetts Theatre at 7:30 p.m. with 2 p.m. Saturday matinees.

David Ladd won Golden Globe for his performance as Alan Ladd's son

Film had its star-studded world premiere at Salt Lake's Centre Theater in 1941

James Stewart and Marlene Dietrich star in the hit Western “Destry Rides Again” in a one-time screening at Brigham Young University’s Harold B. Lee Library auditorium on Friday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m.

Few universities enjoy the international name recognition of BYU, as proven by the recent triumph in the Hyundai Lens of Loyalty film contest in December 2013. This fall, Hyundai Motor Company challenged 25 universities ranging from the west to east coast including heavy hitters such as Oregon, Michigan and Florida to the film contest. After submitting a one-page treatment for a film, seven finalists were chosen to produce the final product, and were funded $10,000. Of the finalists, BYU was awarded the additional $10,000 prize by a panel of judges for its recent five-minute film highlighting BYU football fans around the world. The film was then created, produced, and edited by an innovative student team at The Laycock Center for Creative Collaboration. The team included students from all disciplines, including advertising, film and music. Students Dustin Locke headed the effort as advertising director, with Layne Russell as film director. The aim was for students to showcase football-related traditions unique to their school, according to a press release by Hyundai Motors. “We thought about it and unfortunately BYU can’t compete with tailgating,” explained Locke, advertising major. “But the one thing that sets us apart is reach and the fact that we bring a lot of people to away games.” The idea then developed to let the fans speak for themselves about their passion for BYU. “We have a uniquely true world-wide following here at BYU,” said Jeff Sheets, director of The Laycock Center. “We then cross-sourced and looked for the most unique and insightful fans to be featured.” Fans from as far away as Hawaii, London and South Africa were featured in the short film. One man, a foot cancer amputee living in Barcelona, Spain, proudly wears his BYU emblazoned prosthetic to show he bleeds blue. Another couple in Hawaii installed one of the first satellite dishes on the island in order to see the BYU football games. They then proceeded to invite their neighborhood to watch the Cougars fight their way to victory over the years. “It was a cool experience for us to go across the world and talk to BYU fans. I don’t get to play on the BYU football field, so it is cool to do something for the team,” commented Locke with a wry grin. Incredibly, the team put together the entire production, from recruitment of fans to editing in only two and a half weeks. Students worked night and day to put together the film, while scrambling to get homework done between traveling around the world. The dedication in these un-paid students embodies the mission of the Laycock Center to facilitate a collaborative environment for creative ideas and stunning talent. As Vanessa Mckenna, advertising major, excitedly exclaimed, “It’s all about collaboration!” and a literal love of the game on and off the field.

The timeless Christmas classic, Frank Capra’s 'It's a Wonderful Life,' will have a one-time screening at Brigham Young University’s Harold B. Lee Library auditorium Thursday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m.