CCM Acting Seniors Take Over Arnold’s Bar for a Shakespearean Treat

CCM Acting Class of 2017.

Cincinnati’s oldest tavern will offer more than just food and beverages this weekend. Eleven senior CCM Acting students will take over part of Arnold’s Bar and Grill, located at 210 East Eighth St., to present Shakespeare On The Rocks: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25.

The production is part of a class project under CCM associate professor D’Arcy Smith — but Smith isn’t directing the show. In fact, Shakespeare On The Rocks: A Midsummer Night’s Dream has no director and the students only rehearse the show once before the free, one-night-only performance.

This new approach to Shakespeare is based on the Back Room Shakespeare project, a Chicago-based initiative created by actor Samuel Taylor. Thanks to CCMpower, the students were able to receive guidance from Taylor, whose vision is to bring Shakespeare to the masses, without all of the frills and formality that usually accompany the Bard’s works.

“We’re not trying to re-create Elizabethan London,” according to the Back Room Shakespeare project’s website. “We’re trying make a space where Shakespeare’s beautiful, bawdy and bloody plays feel at home. Where actors can be responsible for their own creative work. We’re looking for a party. A riot! A hoot! We try to turn people on, and turn nothing off — not even the cellphone. It’s storytime, not judgement day.”

Shakespeare On The Rocks: A Midsummer Night’s Dream is the first Back Room Shakespeare Project production in Cincinnati. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and the show kicks off at 7 p.m. After the performance, the actors will accept donations for CCMpower. Visit the Facebook event for more details.
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Performance Time
7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25

Location
Arnold’s Bar and Grill, 210 East Eighth St.
Cincinnati, OH 45202

Admission
Admission is free, reservations are not required.

 

CCM Alumnus Ty Olwin stars with Kristen Stewart in International film ‘Personal Shopper’

Ty Olwin in CCM’s production of ‘Coram Boy.’

Ty Olwin has had a busy and successful career since he graduated from CCM with a BFA in Drama in 2013. He has appeared in plays, television shows, and will soon co-star with actress Kristen Stewart in Personal Shopper, an international film about a ghost story that takes place in the fashion underworld of Paris.

Personal Shopper is set to appear in the Cannes Film Festival in France May 11-22. Olwin, 25, was cast to play Stewart’s boyfriend, Gary, in the film. The film reunites Stewart with French Director, Oliver Assayas — the two worked together in Assayas’ Clouds of Sils Maria (2014). Stewart became the first American actress to win a Cesar award for her role in Clouds of Sils Maria, which went on to receive five additional Ceasar nominations.

Olwin is a Chicago-based actor who has made his mark in the Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s productions of Lord of the Flies, East of Eden and Russian Transport. He has also appeared in Brilliant Adventures at Steep Theatre Company, Season on the Line at The House Theatre of Chicago, and the Raven Theatre’s production of Tennessee Williams’ Vieux Carre. In addition, Ty has landed guest starring roles on Crisis and Chicago Fire on NBC.

While enrolled at CCM, Olwin was recognized by the League of Cincinnati Theatres with an award for Leading Actor in a Play for his role in the conservatory’s production of Coram Boy. As a sophomore, he earned an Acclaim Award nomination for his role in CCM’s production of Red Light Winter. Olwin’s other CCM credits include The Three Sisters, Picnic, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Time of Your Life.

Most recently, he has worked with playwright Rebecca Gilman and Director Robert Falls in a new play Soups, Stews and Casseroles: 1976, which will run from May 21- June 19 at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. The play examines workers’ rights and the effects of big business on small town lives.

CCM Drama Celebrates Graduating Students at 2013 Senior Showcase on March 15

CCM Drama’s Class of 2013.

CCM’s Department of Drama presents its 2013 Senior Showcase at 2 and 7 p.m. on Friday, March 15, in UC’s Patricia Corbett Theater. Both showcase performances are free and open to the public.

Graduating seniors in CCM’s drama program will present a variety of monologues and scenes to demonstrate the depth and breadth of their acting skills, honed during their undergraduate training at CCM. This will be the first presentation of a performance that these students will be taking on the road to exhibit their talent in industry showcases in New York and Los Angeles this April.

The 11th annual CCM Drama Dolly Awards will follow the 7 p.m. showcase performance. Hosted by Drama Department Chair Richard E. Hess, this annual event recognizes outstanding achievement and performance by students in the Department of Drama at CCM. Awards are given for Excellence in Performance and Excellence in Ensemble Performance from the 2012-13 CCM Drama season, which included the productions Arcadia, Ulysses, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and most recently The Time of Your Life. The year’s ceremony will also include tributes to retiring Professor of Dramatic Performance Michael Burnham and alumna Elana Ernst (’07 BFA Drama).

The highlight of the Dolly Awards will be the presentation of the 2013 Julia Winter Cohen Career Excellence Award to a graduate of CCM Drama. This year’s honoree is alumnus Damian Baldet (’95 BFA Drama), who will join the event via Skype videocast from London. Baldet has performed the role of Timon in the London, North American Tour and Mandalay Bay Las Vegas productions of The Lion King since 2005, and has a long list of credits that include shows off-Broadway and at La Jolla Playhouse (Calif.) and Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati.

‘Dance Magazine’ Spotlights Recent CCM Alumnus James Cunningham

CCM alumnus James Cunningham in Amy Seiwert’s ‘I Think of You Often.’ Photography by Peter Mueller.

Look for CCM Dance alumnus James Cunningham in the pages of Dance Magazine this month! The recent graduate is featured in the February 2013 issue, reflecting on his pursuit of a career in dance. You can view the story online here.

Originally from Colorado Springs, Cunningham is currently in his fifth season as a corps member of the Cincinnati Ballet, which he joined as a junior at CCM. Qualified CCM Dance students have the opportunity to perform with professional regional dance companies like Cincinnati Ballet while continuing their studies at the conservatory.

Cunningham attended CCM as an honors scholar and graduated with a BFA in Ballet in 2010.

Enquirer Previews CCM’s ‘Mad Men’ Inspired Take on ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

Photography by Mark Lyons.

Jackie Demaline takes a closer look at CCM’s unique spin on William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in today’s edition of the Cincinnati Enquirer. A Midsummer Night’s Dream runs through this Sunday, Oct. 7, in Patricia Corbett Theater.

Learn more about director Michael Burnham‘s unique approach to the play and scenic designer Ryan Howell‘s collaboration with Toronto-based artist Amy Shackleton and CCM’s Division of Electronic Media here.

CCM Slideshows: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

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CCM proudly presents a colorful new twist on William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, running through Oct. 7 in UC’s Patricia Corbett Theater.

Are you coming to campus for UC Homecoming this weekend? Come to CCM Village after the Homecoming Kickoff Party at the Myers Alumni Center on Friday for an 8 p.m. performance or come early on Saturday and catch a matinee of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at 2 p.m. (kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.).

This is a perfect weekend to experience EVERYTHING going on at the University of Cincinnati! Don’t miss the opening of CCM’s must-see 2012-13 Mainstage Series.

UC Homecoming Activities to Close Uptown Streets Oct. 6

Please note: around the University of Cincinnati campus, some streets will close the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 6, while traffic and parking on other streets will be restricted. If you plan on attending CCM’s 2 or 8 p.m. performances of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream this Saturday, please plan accordingly.

University of Cincinnati Homecoming activities Oct. 6 will feature the annual Homecoming parade around campus at 3 p.m. and the 7 p.m. football game versus Miami University at UC’s Nippert Stadium.

CCM Theatre Design & Production and E-Media Students Team with Artist Amy Shackleton to Give ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ a Colorful Twist

Scenic designer and third-year graduate student Ryan Howell (left) and Canadian artist Amy Shackleton give a design presentation to CCM Theatre Design and Production students.

William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream receives a colorful and refreshing update in the upcoming production at UC’s College-Conservatory of Music. Beginning with a preview performance on Oct. 3, audiences will be transported to the 1960s and will follow four lovers and some unfortunate “mechanicals” as their lives become the playthings of a band of fairies.

Director Michael Burnham wanted to take a new approach to a traditional piece and encouraged set designer and third year graduate student Ryan Howell to contact Canadian artist Amy Shackleton to collaborate on an original art piece for the show. With the help of CCM’s Division of Electronic Media, Amy Shackleton was filmed while painting the piece and the resulting footage will be used to create a backdrop that will paint itself as the story develops.

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Scenic Design of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

Amy Shackleton, Toronto-based gravity artist, demonstrating her technique to CCM students.

To ignite its 2012-13 Mainstage Season, CCM will be presenting one of Shakespeare’s best-loved plays, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, from Oct. 3 (preview) – 7 in UC’s Patricia Corbett Theater.

The play takes us on a wistful journey with four lovers and a weaver as they interact with some Puck-ish pranks in the wood. Director Michael Burnham and fellow designers add a spin to this version of the show as we find ourselves in the summer of 1963, right before the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Learn more about how this spin influenced the show’s costume design here.

As previously reported, international artist Amy Shackleton joins the design team of CCM’s  A Midsummer Night’s Dream to engage in a unique collaboration, creating an original piece of art. Amy’s process was documented and will set the backdrop for this production.

Discussing ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ Costumes with Student Designer Brittany McManus

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Brittany McManus is a third-year master’s degree student in costume design. Along with the production’s scenic designer, lighting designer, sound designer and wig & make-up designer (all of whom are third-year graduate students at CCM), McManus’ work on A Midsummer Night’s Dream is serving as her thesis project.

McManus’ unique costume design concepts for this production draw inspiration from the 1960s. “We are doing three different groups of people,” she explains. “The 60s are when the countercultures really emerge, so you start to see these different facets of society in a way that you may have seen before… but not to this extent.”