Monthly Archives: February 2024

(CINCINNATI, January 16, 2023) – Xavier University Theatre continues the 2023-24 season with its innovative Xavier Theatre Student Showcase. The repertory series will run February 9 through 17 and feature productions of The Moors by Jen Silverman and Non-Player Character by Walt McGough, as well as a student-developed Choreographers’ Workshop.

Max Winski as the Masitff, Sarah Malarney as Agatha & Mattie Ceiplak as Huldey in THE MOORS.

The Moors tells the story of two sisters, their maid, and their dog who live out their lives on the bleak English moors, dreaming of love and power. The arrival of a hapless governess and a moor-hen set off a strange and dangerous course of events. It is a dark comedy about love, desperation, and visibility.

Erin Bonham as Katja in NON-PLAYER CHARACTER

Non-Player Character explores more current events, following aspiring video game designer Katja and her longtime friend Trent, who are an unstoppable team against animated monsters in the virtual underworlds of SpearLight, an online role-playing game. Comic and poignant, it is a timely, boldly theatrical exploration of gender bias in the digital entertainment industries. The play is roughly inspired by true events.

Choreographers Abigail Dirr, Tierra London Rush, Sienna Glaze, Alexis Pinto & Anthony Frederickson.

The Choreographers’ Workshop showcases physicality and movement as one of the greatest indicators of emotion that play a key role in storytelling. Through a range of styles including hip hop, contemporary, theatre jazz, and more, audiences will experience ten different stories told completely through movement.

When asked about the Student Showcase, senior Tessa D’Errico, who directs The Moors, says, “I’m excited to work with everyone because I know how passionate we all are about bringing these shows to life. It’s going to be a whirlwind two weekends, but these opportunities are what Xavier Theatre is all about. It brings out the best in us students and is so rewarding!” This sentiment was echoed by many, including the fellow student director, senior Anna Verderber.

Verderber, who directs Non-Player Character, says, “I adore the Student Showcase, because it showcases the incredible talent of the program in every single role. From sound design to directing to acting, this is the only time where EVERYTHING is done by the students. And that’s beautiful. At the end of the day, this is what we all want to do with our lives. This is what we will be doing when we graduate. How amazing we get an opportunity to start practicing that now.”

Senior Sienna Glaze, who is a choreographer, remarked on the importance of learning the skill of leadership. She says, “As a choreographer, I am grateful to be trusted to run a rehearsal room by myself. It has helped me grow in my own leadership and confidence which, I feel, is vital to entering the professional world outside of college.”

The showcase is not only seen as vital to the students most involved. First-year Bri Willingham, who is in the Choreographers’ Workshop, says, “I love that Xavier Theatre gives students the ability to showcase their talent and artistry, it is one of the factors that led me to commit to Xavier University. I can’t wait to see how these productions turn out because I know they will be absolutely incredible.”

The cast for The Moors includes seniors Sarah Malarney (Agatha), Max Winski (Mastiff); junior Mattie Cieplak (Huldey); sophomores Bridget Dean (Marjory) and Molly Franzen (Emilie); and first-year student Josi Pietrzyk (Moor-Hen).

The show is directed by senior Tessa D’Errico. The design team includes Joe Leonard (technical director), junior Mary McMurray and first-year Jaime Israel (costume designers), senior Katie Noth (assistant technical director/set designer), junior Owen Clark and sophomore Leo Jenkins (lighting designers), junior Mattie Cieplak and first-year Luke Heetderks (sound designers), and juniors Matthew Callas and Richie Pokrywka and first-year Loretta Rubin (props designers). Stephen Skiles acts as producer, with seniors Cristin Fries, Ally Linser, and Renee Maloney acting as assistant producers. The stage manager is senior Allison Dible and the assistant stage manager is sophomore Benny Mitchell.

Performances take place at 7:00 p.m. on February 9 and 16, as well as at 2 p.m. on February 11. Tickets are available now. They are $15 each for adults and $10 each for Xavier students, faculty and staff. To purchase tickets, visit https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/80029 or call 513-745-3939.

The cast for Non-Player Character includes juniors Erin Bonham (Katja/Aria) and Emma Halloran (Naomi/The Crone/Cast); sophomores Caleb Freed (Trent/Caspar), Brady Rogers (Feldrick/Cast), and Jayley Sams (Morwyn/Officer/Voice/Cast); and first-year students Nathan Fisher (Grant/Farmer Jenkins/Cast), Loretta Rubin (understudy), and Julianne Schultz (understudy).

The show is directed by senior Anna Verderber. The design team includes Joe Leonard (technical director), junior Mary McMurray and first-year Jaime Israel (costume designers), senior Katie Noth (assistant technical director/set designer), junior Owen Clark (lighting designer), junior Reece Niederhausen and first-year Raya Franklin (sound designers), and juniors Matthew Callas and Richie Pokrywka and first-year Loretta Rubin (props designers). Stephen Skiles acts as producer, with seniors Cristin Fries, Ally Linser, and Renee Maloney acting as assistant producers. The stage manager is Reece Niederhausen and the assistant stage manager is first-year Hannah Barbee.

Performances take place at 7:00 p.m. on February 15 and 17, as well as at 2 p.m. on February 10. Tickets are available now. They are $20 each for adults and $15 each for Xavier students, faculty and staff. To purchase tickets, visit https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/80032 or call 513-745-3939.

The cast for the Choreographers’ Workshop includes seniors Abigail Dirr, Anthony Frederickson, and Regan Utrup; juniors Tierra London Rush and Maria Zierolf; sophomore Mia D’Ascenzo; and first-year students Gracie Phlipot, Kyra Sander, Reilly Somerville, Brianna Starkey, Corrine Tiernan, and Willingham.

The show is choreographed by seniors Dirr, Glaze, Frederickson, and Alexis Pinto and junior Rush. The design team includes Leonard (technical director), senior Noth (assistant technical director), and senior Linser and sophomore Ben Hunt (lighting designers). Skiles acts as producers, with seniors Fries, Linser, and Maloney acting as assistant producers. The stage managers are junior Zierolf and first-year Starkey.

Performances take place at 7:00 p.m. on February 10, as well as at 2 p.m. on February 17. Tickets are available now. They are $20 each for adults and $15 each for Xavier students, faculty and staff. To purchase tickets, visit https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/80064 or call 513-745-3939.