Deven Fenn in The Poe Play at Tallmadge HS

The Poe Play
at Tallmadge High School*

Tallmadge High School will have 3 performances of their fall drama, The Poe Play, directed by Dave Obney. Originally written by the Rogue Artists Ensemble in California, The Poe Play captivates the audience and leads them through a blend of Edgar Allan Poe's most chilling works: The Raven, The Black Cat, The Tell Tale Heart, The Cask of Amontillado, and Berenice. Performances will be November 12, 13, and 14 at the new Tallmadge High School Auditorium (located in THS on 140 N. Munroe Rd. in Tallmadge). Doors open at 7:30, curtain is at 8:00. Tickets are $7 for Adults and $5 for Students and Senior Citizens. Call 330-633-5505 for tickets.

Adam Nelson: The Survivor Project

Adam Nelson continues his involvement in film. He participated in the creation of a documentary about local Holocaust survivors and sent me a link to the trailer of this must-see film, which I have posted below. (You can not view the link from school computers.) Perhaps we can get Adam to give a showing at Miller South.

Adam writes: "Last year, Pennies for People and the Holocaust Education Federation of the Akron Jewish Federation appointed me to direct their documentary, The Survivor Project. It was an incredible project to produce and it was premiered last April. There were nearly 400 people at the premier."

Former Miller South students shine on stages near and far!

Some familiar names are lighting up stages both local and far away!

Stephen Carder will be playing Lumiere in Disney's Beauty and the Beast at the North Canton Playhouse. Stephen recently appeared there in Rent.

Amanda Davis is currently on stage at Weathervane in a Sondheim revue called Putting It Together. Amanda originated the commedia character of "Columbinzia" when she was at Miller South.

Robert Keith has the lead in NYU Steinhardt's production of Woyzeck this fall. Robert played the roles of "Dottore" and "Lelio" as a Miller South Commedia Troupe member.

Katie Markovich will be directing a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream next spring at the College of Wooster. Katie will be in charge of programming for her college's black box theatre this year. Katie played "Isabella" in the Miller South Commedia Troupe.

Adam Nelson will be playing the part of Scrooge in Revere High School's production of A Christmas Carol. Adam appeared in Miller South Commedia's Christmas Carol as Bob Cratchit (as portrayed by Arlecchino!)

Got news about a former Miller South student? Please send it our way!

Jessica Whitaker to star in Killjoy 3

Jessica Whitaker, last seen here at Miller South playing Ariel in The Tempest (see picture at left), is off to China to play the female lead in Killjoy 3.

If you would like to see what Jessica looks like now and check out her Hollywood credits, go here.

G Lane Hillman

Lane is achieving success out in Hollywood. You can check out his web page here. His film and television credits include:

FILM

• The End Of Our Lives: "Kyle" Too Seven Films
• Seventeen Again: "Kevin" New Line Cinema
• Almost Perfect: "Jesse" Dirt Road Productions
• Stamped: "DeShawn" Inspiration Films
• Sharing God Kid Style: Christian Land of Goshen
• A Place for My Head: "Josh" Two Squared Productions
• April Fools: "Adam" Code Black Entertainment

TELEVISION:

• Mind of Mencia: "Black Kid" Comedy Central
• Close to Home: "Joshua" CBS

COMMERCIALS:

• T-MOBILE

Eric Magnus to appear on Broadway this fall

Eric worked as an intern for Richard Foremen's Ontological Hysteric Theatre company for the past two seasons. He made his acting debut with the company this past spring in Astronome, a collaboration by two of the premiere avant garde artists in this country. Richard Foreman and composer John Zorn. You can read a review of that production in the NYT here. You can see a pictue of Eric here. He is second from the right, wearing a black fez and veil.

This fall, he will appear in a play written by Richard Foreman and starring Willem Dafoe at the Public Theatre. Details were announced today:

IDIOT SAVANT
Written and Directed by Richard Foreman
October 27 - December 13

Marie asks the Idiot Savant, "But what makes certain words - magic?" What follows is a wild theatrical odyssey that could only have sprung from the fantastical mind of Richard Foreman. This new work is a philosophical comedy, in the great tradition of Ionesco and Preston Sturges. From precise existential and metaphysical acrobatics, to a ridiculous game of inter-species golf with a Giant Duck, IDIOT SAVANT is a fresh, bracing and hilarious exploration of the boundaries of the legitimate. Presented at and in association with The Public Theater.

Tickets go on sale September 15

Cast:

WILLEM DAFOE
ALENKA KRAIGHER
ELINA LOWENSOHN
JOEL ISRAEL
ERIC MAGNUS
DANIEL NELSON

Former Miller South students volunteer at PLAY Festival

Trista and Amelia have been helping out at PLAY, the international festival of alternative theatre -- right here in Akron, OH. Here they are ushering for a performance of The Beetlebug and the Bad Worm, presented by Theatre Ninjas from Cleveland.

Other former Miller South students involved in the festival, currently going on at the University of Akron in several locations, are Dred Geib (tech), Chialla Geib (set painting and props), Robert Keith and Katie Markovich (front of house).

Souji Geib (not yet an alum!) provided the voice of Alice in New World Performance Lab's production of Looking for Alice.

Cristann N. Frazier

Cristann was recently accepted into New York University and will be going for a bachelor's degree in International Relations in 3 years. She'll be spending this winter in Florence, Italy! Some people have all the good luck! Congratulations, Cristann!

Robert Keith

Robert Keith appeared in the fall production at NYU Steinhardt in the fall of 2008. Class Project examined class divisions in and around NYC. The show was created via research by each member of the ensemble.

Below is the inventive set with a drawing of NYC's five boroughs chalked onto the stage floor at the end of the performance.

Jack Scott at Interlochen

Jack Scott attended summer camp at Interlochen this summer and got the lead in the musical Anything Goes. That's Jack, down front and center! Jack will be a senior at Hudson High School this fall.

Amelia Britton & Erika Johnson, Ohio Shakespeare Festival

Joining the MS alum ranks in June of this year, Amelia and Erika spent their summer at lovely Stan Hywet performing with the Ohio Shakespeare Company in As You Like It and Romeo and Juliet. Both young women acted as well as performing as musicians, with Erika on violin and Amelia on cello.

Above, Amelia as "Phoebe" in As You Like It. Below, Erika taking it easy in the dressing room.

Terita Parms

Terita Parms has continued on with her theatre studies at the Ohio State University. Here's a picture of her in costume and on set in a children's theatre show performed by OSU students, who got to take it out on tour last spring.

Welcome Miller South Alumni!

The spotlight is on you in this blog! We want to know how you are doing! Send us updates, pics and videos. Where are you now and what news do you have to share? Have any upcoming shows or events that you would like to post?

2009-2010 will be Miller South's 17th year -- so there are many many of you out in the world now pursuing various goals. Let us know how your arts training has helped you on your way.

We imagine that many of you have gone on to further education, traveled to distant places, and perhaps are engaged, married -- maybe you even have kids of your own now.

Do you still stay in touch with Miller South classmates? If so, please spread the word and invite them to stop by and give us an update.