Credit to Kristin Curley
“Kiss Me, Kate” is the newest Department of Theatre and Dance show to grace the stage in the Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre. With a cast full of talented individuals, it is important to note all the new folks to join the department family. I interviewed two new folks, Isabella and Daniel.
“Everybody is so nice and I felt so welcome even though I am not a major in the department,” said Isabella Yackanicz, a third-year transfer student who majors in Political Science. Another student, Daniel Michel, a fourth-year transfer student with a Theatre major said he was excited but scared about joining the department. These worries soon went away once he experienced the open and welcoming energy during auditions. This sentiment was carried through rehearsals for “Kiss Me, Kate.” It is clear that both Isabella and Daniel have felt that sense of community that the Department of Theatre and Dance strives for.
The rehearsal process for “Kiss Me, Kate” is now in full swing. With that, I posed the question of how they are feeling as the time inches closer to opening night. Isabella said, “It’s been a crazy experience. I auditioned to just do a musical and meet people, and now I am the lead.” Daniel said, “It’s my first time getting cast in a musical here, so it is all pretty new to me. The audition and casting process was a bit nerve-racking, but now being [in] it, we are starting runs of the whole show. A lot of the nervousness is getting lifted off my shoulders and it is all coming together nicely.”
It is so exciting to hear that “Kiss Me, Kate” is going well, especially knowing how quickly the Department of Theatre and Dance puts on their shows. Auditions were held the first week of classes, rehearsals started right after Labor Day and the show runs right after fall break. Six weeks in total! It is especially great to hear that Isabella and Daniel feel supported and only have “good things to say.”
Maybe knowing all of this has you wanting to get involved with the Department of Theatre and Dance at West Chester. Isabella recommends joining University Theatre on Ram Connect to get all the meeting minutes. She said, “Join and know it is a very safe and welcoming community, it does not matter if you are a non-major.” Daniel’s advice was, “Put yourself out there. If you see any advertisements regarding auditions for shows, go out for it. Reach out and put yourself out there.” If you worked on productions in high school as cast or crew, there is a place for you in West Chester’s Theatre and Dance department.
“Kiss Me, Kate” will run in the Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre in Swope Performing Arts Center from Oct. 19–22. Tickets are $13 for students, faculty, seniors and veterans and $16 for adults and members of the community. Tickets can be purchased online at
www.wcupa.edu/TheatreDanceTickets.
Grace Gilmore is a fourth-year student majoring in Communications Studies with a minor in Theatre. Gg954156@wcupa.edu