Theatre-Dance commemorates 50th anniversary with weeklong programs, events
Alumni, students and faculty will help with the 50th anniversary observance, including, from left, Daniel Banatao, student; Cheryl Honerlah, '12; Megumi Tembata, '12; Maryann Mackey, '69; Marie Ibarra, student; and Professor and Chair Thomas Hird. (Photo: April Rodriguez)
- August 17, 2012
The Cal State East Bay Department of Theatre and Dance will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in October with a weeklong series of programs and events, culminating in a benefit show and auction, and celebration of Professor and Department Chair Thomas Hird’s 40-year tenure.
All offerings are open to the public and admission is free; however, reservations are required for the Oct. 20 concluding event. Funds from an auction of such items as theater tickets, signed memorabilia, and art will go to the department’s archive project. Donations received at the benefit show will go toward student scholarships.
The week will begin with “Improv 4 Actors,” by Ric Prindle, professional actor and CSUEB professor emeritus; a professional panel discussion; and, “Edgardo,” a reminiscence of Professor Emeritus Edgardo de la Cruz by Professor Rhoda Kaufman. On Oct. 16, Eric Kupers, associate professor, and Melissa Hillman, ‘90 theatre and dance and Impact Theatre artistic director, will speak about careers in the creative arts. Pamela Hicks-Gailey, music lecturer, will do a master class on musical theatre, and Randee Pauve, a professional dancer and former lecturer, will do a master class on dance.
The Oct. 17 offerings include Doug Cattaneo, professional stage hand and former lecturer, and Craig Marker, ‘02 theatre and dance alumnus and professional actor, in a panel discussion about unions. Hillman and the CSUEB Career Center are presenting a workshop on traditional and non-traditional resume writing. That will be followed by an artist panel discussion on transferring artistic skills to non-artist jobs. Student Kaitlin Parks will then present a multimedia workshop.
The Oct. 18 programs include a movement class by Laura Renaud Wilson, professional dancer and former lecturer, based on the teachings of Edgardo de la Cruz; Kimiko Guthrie, lecturer and co-founder of Dandelion Dancetheater, will speak on turning text into a stage production; and Ulises Alcala, lecturer, and Felicia Lilienthal, ‘05 alumna, speaking on stage make-up.
The Oct. 19 programs will lead off with David Toda, ‘05 alumnus, presenting a master class on acting. Then the professional company, Dueling Arts of San Francisco, will conduct an on-stage combat program. Oct. 20’s offerings begin with a barbecue open to all department alumni. That evening’s benefit show will include alumni, student and faculty pieces representing the department’s eclectic offerings.
There will be numerous online offerings, such as daily blogs and tips by professional artists and others from the university, There also will be costume, make-up, set, and lighting exhibits by faculty and alumni. The University Library will host a theater and dance poster exhibit, and “Elements Of A Production,” a collection of archival scripts, notes, photos, designs and posters, will start in early September. A secondary display will be in the theater lobby for the Oct. 20 benefit show.
Details on the all programs and reservation information are at:
The department archive page is at:
The department may be reached for further information at (510) 885-3118.