The Show Must Go On!

Last week, Virginia Beach got hit by what Regent students are fondly referring to as "The Snow-pocalypse of 2014."  The school closed for two days and much frolicking in the fluffy white flakes ensued, but even the snow couldn't stop our avid theatre-goers from risking life and limb to see William Nicholson's Shadowlands.

One might think that, with the University closed, many patrons would want to stay indoors and not risk the roads and freezing temperatures to see a lesser-known play (let's face it, we're a beach town), but as usual, our patrons surprised us in the best possible way.  According to the house manager, Sarah Grice, 132 patrons filled the seats in the Studio Theater on Thursday . . . far more than expected or anticipated.  "At one point, we were so busy that a fellow off-duty house manager who was seeing the show that night got up and helped seat patrons" said Sarah.

Upon leaving the theater, patrons were noticeably touched by the brilliantly told story.  Brandy Caldwell, a Regent alumnus who was visiting from New York for the express purpose of seeing the show, had tickets for both the Thursday and Friday night performances.  After seeing it for the second time on Friday she shared "I'm so glad I was able to see it twice.  There is so much loveliness to take in; you just don't notice it all the first time."

Special thanks to Dr. Michael Kirkland for his time and effort and to Dr. Robertson for making special provision for the show to go on!

Regent during Leon.  Photo credit: Josiah Blizzard.

Regent Alumni Form New Chicago-based Theatre Company.

Honest Theatre is made up of a group of 14 Regent University graduates working to tell great stories in Chicagoland. Artistic Director, Sean Cowan, states: "Honest Theatre believes in real, heart-felt communication and seeks to welcome and showcase truth in all its many sizes and shapes." From deep and moving to quick and lighthearted, Honest Theatre believes that if a story either displays or invokes truth, it is worth sharing with others. 

For their first season, Honest Theatre is implementing a pay-what-you-can policy for anyone interested in seeing a show as it is their belief that good art should be accessible to everyone.  "Regardless of where you are in life, we would love to share with you. So come. Join us. And let's be honest."

Honest Theatre's first public fundraiser is slated for the 22nd of February. It will be held at The Glenwood in Rogers Park. Visit Honest Theatre's website for more information: www.honesttheatre.com.  Members include: Sean Cowan (Artistic Director), Ashley Manning-O'Dell (Managing Director), Britain Willcock (Technical Director), Sharon Biermann, Rebekah Bortot, Zachary Bortot, Diana Coates, Jared O'Dell, Kelly Helgeson, Tory Helgeson, Adam Eugene Hurst, Priscilla Hummel, Kelly Levander, and Whitney Rappana.

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Registration is Open for the 11th Annual Virginia Beach Bash.

What is the Virginia Beach Bash?

 Regent University Department of Theatre Arts is proud to host the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) sanctioned Regional Workshop. This event has become known as the "Virginia Beach Bash."

"The Virginia Beach Bash" features nationally and internationally recognized experts in the art and craft of teaching and staging combat for the stage and screen as well as techniques for capturing and editing action for TV and film. This workshop is geared primarily to those who have an interest in historical and cultural martial arts forms and techniques as adjusted for performance. The workshop appeals most to actors, directors, fight directors, stunt performers, filmmakers (e.g. directors, editors, post production), Renaissance Fair actors and historical event re-enactors.


Classes are offered at the beginning, intermediate and advanced levels and include instruction in a wide spectrum of styles and weaponry from both Western and Asian cultures as well as opportunities to produce, film and edit action sequences. Students interested in filmmaking will receive instruction and have the opportunity to film action, coordinate with a director and stunt coordinator.

Save the Date!

Saturday and Sunday
March 29-30, 2014
at Regent University,
Virginia Beach, Va.


Visit the BASH Website today and save money by registering before Friday, March 1st!

Congrats to Michael Woods (MFA Acting Alum '08) on another spot with BMO Harris Bank!

Congratulations to our Fall Irene Ryan Nominees!

Steel Magnolias

Beth Litwak (MFA Acting '14)

Sherrie Peterson (MFA Acting '15)

The Comedy of Errors 

 Justin Winters (MFA Acting '14).

Adam James Hamilton (MFA Acting '14)

Bus Stop

Eric LaVoie (Left, MFA Acting '14)

Austin Fitzhugh (MFA Acting '15)

See MFA Acting Alum Dan Roberts ('07) in Sleepy Hollow!

To see more of Dan's work, visit his website: www.danieljroberts.net. 

MFA Alums band together to support Tidewater Stage.

to those who have made our inaugural season possible!

Founding Partners - $1,000+

John and Susan Bookless

Bruce and Diane Clark

Bob and Sam Kukich

Mitch and Lea Land
Aubrey and Angela Loving
Robert and Sandy May
Jeff and Lisa O'Dell
Bill and Michelle Young

Producers - $500

Eric and Holly Harrell
Don and Nancy McNeeley
Woodrow W. Wagner, Jr.
George and Cherie Walton

MFA Class of 2006: Kendal Tuttle, Jill Wilson, Lisa Gregg, Anita Reimer, Chris Nelson, Todd Metzker, Lynn Richards, Frank Hargreaves, Nicole Furneisen

Directors - $250

Alan Baumann & Leah Henry
Robert and Nan Beck
Robert and Marie Deegan
Joseph and Mary Kassar
Melinda Marven
Pete and Louise Pearson
Kendal and Bree Tuttle

MFA Class of 2012: Zach Bortot, Diana Coates, Micaela DeLauro, Amy Dunlap, Nathanael Fisher, Jeff Fazakerley, Madeline Ranson, Whitney Rappana, Michael Salsbury, Britain Willcock

MFA Class of 2010: Robert Arbaugh, Bradley Archer, Stephanie Chandler, Shinn-Rong Chung, Ryan Clemens, Kaja Dunn, Katie Fridsma, Anna Koehler, Chad Rasor, Alaska Vance, Katie Wasserman, Matthew Winning

Stars - $100

Martin and Bonnie Betz
Melissa Fuquay
Alex Kordis
Curtis Mackenzie and Diane Stewart-Mackenzie
Sidney and Ruth Martin
Derek and Jennifer Martin
Chris Nelson
Judy Paschall
Roger and Brenda Pence
Anita Reimer
Sandra Simpson

MFA Class of 2011: Sean Cowan, Tiffany Cotton, Sharon Eyster, Andy Geffken, Chad Gilliland, Gene Gray, Hannah Graham, Joseph Martinez, Nathan Schmidt, Tabitha Strong

MFA Class of 2008: Justin Glinn, Kelly Helgeson, Jennifer Martin, Josh Nicholson, Matthew Scott, Claire Slavovsky, Michael Woods, Jeff Dull

Join us by becoming a donor today!

Gifts to Tidewater Stage can be made online by clicking here. Gifts of $100 or more can be scheduled in multiple installments. If you wish to contribute through the mail, please make checks payable to "Regent University" and note "Tidewater Stage" in the memo line. Donations can be mailed to:

Tidewater Stage at Regent University
1000 Regent University Dr. – COM 221
Virginia Beach, VA 23464

Thank you for your support of Tidewater Stage.



Congratulations to Brad Brinkley and Tim Stanlake!

Congratulations to Brad Brinkley and Tim Stanlake, Irene Ryan Nominees for Gillette Elvgren's Everywoman!

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Announcing the 2013 Tidewater Stage Acting Company!

General auditions for the inaugural season of Tidewater Stage, the professional theatre company of Regent University, were held on April 6 with callbacks on April 13. There was an impressive representation of talent from across Hampton Roads including a mix of local professionals and Regent faculty, students and alumni. We’re pleased to announce the following actors have been cast in the acting company for our inaugural season. Congratulations to all!

Directed by Eric Harrell

 July 5-7 and 11-13

Frankie: Christopher Graham

Smudge: Garney Johnson

Sparky: Derek Leonidoff

Jinx: Andrew Wilson

Directed by Scott Hayes
August 2-4 and 9-11

Corrie Bratter: Lynn Kenny

Paul Bratter: Eric Harrell*

Mrs. Banks: C.J. Hill*

Velasco: Michael Kirkland*

Telephone Man: Will Burby

Delivery Man: Gillette Elvgren

* Members of Actors Equity Association, the national union for stage actors.

For production information, and to purchase tickets online, visit www.regent.edu/tidewaterstage



Fiddler Comes to the Regent Stage

By: Amanda Morad

April 18, 2013

One of the most riveting musicals to ever grace Broadway is coming to the Regent University stage Friday, April 19.

Fiddler on the Roof has maintained popularity throughout the years for its music, themes, and brilliant portrayal of Jewish culture. But director and professional-in-residence Mark Paladini has gone the extra mile to ensure cultural authenticity for the Regent production.

"When my family first came to Virginia Beach from Hollywood in 2005, one of my best friends in L.A. connected us with his cousin, Alene Jo Kaufman, director of the Strelitz Early Childhood Center, a division of the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater," Paladini explained. "She has been our Jewish Culture Advisor for several plays we've produced and has outdone herself on this one."

Paladini's collaboration with Kaufman was inspired by their friendship, and eventually resulted in Kaufman's consultation during rehearsals and her contribution of several key props and costume pieces that have added realism to the details of the show. "This production is a success due to Alene Jo Kaufman's commitment to share the wealth of her knowledge with others," Paladini said. "She has been an inspiration to us all."

Fiddler on the Roof runs April 19-21 and April 26-28, with shows at 7:30 p.m. each night and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. Purchase tickets through the Box Office.

Through such unforgettable songs as "If I Were a Rich Man" and "Sunrise, Sunset," Fiddler's main character, Tevye, teaches his five daughters about the enduring bonds of faith, family and tradition. As declared by Broadway.com, "No other musical has so magically woven music, dance, poignancy and laughter into such an electrifying and unforgettable experience."

The show is based on the Sholem Aleichem story Tevye and his Daughters, with the book written by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. The original New York Stage production was directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins.

Purchase tickets through the Box Office.

PR/NEWS CONTACT:
Mindy Hughes, Public Relations
Phone: 757.352.4095 Fax: 757.352.4888
E-mail: mhughes@regent.edu