#forestrobertstheatre

[northernstories]

Meet Kortney Manchip a sophomore, theatre performance major from Charlotte, Michigan. She is also in the new dance minor here at NMU.

“One thing I like about the theatre program here at NMU is that the class sizes and cast sizes are generally small, giving each student an opportunity to get one-on-one time with our faculty and directors. Northern’s size really gives each student an opportunity to gain roles to put on his/her resume as opposed to larger universities and conservatories which tend to be more competitive. I just think it’s really cool that NMU is a place where all of your professors and directors know you by name, want to see you succeed, and do everything they can to help you do so.”

[northernstories]

This is Lilith Kontos, she is an English major with a theatre minor. She is a junior here at NMU, from Waukesha, Wisconsin. Lilith is involved with the Alpha Psi Omega theatre honors society.

“I definitely think working with the theatre community, both on-campus and more largely in Marquette, has been the most rewarding for me. I never get tired of seeing a whole bunch of different people come together to make a piece of art; there’s something incredible about how hard everybody works to produce a show. It’s such a long process, and so much effort goes into it, but at the end, when you get to see the production onstage – wow. It’s an amazing thing.”

[northernstories]

“When I was in my second semester at NMU, I got cast into a play called “She Kills Monsters.” The show is based around the game, Dungeons and Dragons, and there is a lot of stage combat interwoven into it’s brilliant story. I was cast as this small character named Steve. Basically what my character had to do, was enter the “Game” sequences and shout “I AM THE GREAT MAGE STEVE!” After that I would have my throat ripped out, or my arms torn off, or just stabbed. I think he had to die 5 or 6 times throughout the show, sort of the comic relief. It was how I was known for about a year and a half here at NMU and honestly it will probably always be my fondest memory of being here.”

-Brady Skewis, Negaunee, Michigan

[northernstories]

This is Audree Stephens. She is a sophomore theatre major from Big Rapids, Michigan. Audree has been involved in multiple shows this year and she works in the scene shop.

“Last year, I was not involved in very much involving shows or working on my acting skills so I started to do some independent study by checking out a ton of scripts from the library and worked through several monologues I could use in the future. I also ended up getting a job in the scene shop as assistant to the head paint charge and will take over Paint charge this upcoming semester.”

[northernstories]

Meet Lily Howder. Lily is a senior theatre and entertainment arts major, from Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She is the assistant manager of the Forest Roberts Theater box office and the president of Alpha Psi Omega the theatre honor society.

“My favorite memory at NMU has to be after I finished Rock the FRT this past October. I was able to design the whole 3 hour rock concert and I operated all the lighting during the show itself. I ran into many challenges from power outages to bad connections on the board but I persevered and even with those small bumps I was encouraged and supported for my efforts. I love learning and I always have and I appreciate how NMU and especially the FRT is always encouraging its students to gain more knowledge.”

[northernstories]

For the next two weeks we will be featuring some of our awesome theatre students! These wonderful thespians have some great stories to share! Once you’ve read their stories, check them out in The Forest Roberts Theater’s production of Tarzan the Musical. The show runs April 13th-21st.