 Submitted photo/SDN Mississippi State junior Charles R. “Max” Herrington played the title character in Theatre MSU’s children’s production of “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” The production, directed by Marianne Ulmer, saw some 1,240 school children and their teachers see the show. The children’s production is one of many outreach efforts of Theatre MSU, which is currently raising money to replace outdated equipment. By BRIAN HAWKINS
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Since announcing a fund-raising drive in October to help replace outdated equipment and bolster programs for Theatre MSU, faculty members in Mississippi State’s Communication Department are starting to see momentum building for the effort.
Funds are being sought to replace nearly 20-year-old equipment in the theater in McComas Hall, which houses the Communication Department and Theatre MSU.
Thanks to fund-raising efforts by the Lab Rats Comedy Troupe, new speakers for the McComas theater were purchased Dec. 3, and, with the help of an anonymous donor, were bought at dealer cost, saving a good bit of money, said Wayne Durst, associate professor of communication, who has been with MSU’s dramatic arts program since 1978.
Another equipment priority is a new lighting control system for the theater.
The lighting control system for the theater in McComas Hall was installed in October of 1990 and is outdated and incompatible with the wiring and cables for newer lighting equipment, Durst said.
A faculty member from Belhaven College, Frank Dolansky, visited campus Dec. 14 and met with Durst to discuss options for upgrading the system. Replacing the lighting control system — which includes rewiring the control booth and the dimmer room — is estimated to cost between $25,000 and $30,000.
Another major need that has been identified is the repair and resurfacing of the main stage floor in the McComas Theater. Such a project will cost between $90,000 and $120,000, Durst said.
“We have discussed this with our representative from the MSU Development Foundation, and he has suggested several strategies to help with this,” Durst said.
Another need is computer software to track season ticket sales and seating for Theatre MSU productions, which is something the program currently does not have. Such a software package costs around $6,000.
Durst said some potential supporters have come forward, and meetings are scheduled to discuss possible financial contributions.
Durst and other Theatre MSU faculty members are hopeful that having such software will greatly enhance the marketing for the five productions done each year and allow the establishment of a reserved seating system for both the 476-seat main theater and the 88-seat lab theater in the basement of McComas Hall.
Theatre MSU currently stages five productions a year, including classical, contemporary, student-written work and children’s theatre.
But the program reaches beyond campus.
The recent children’s theatre production of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” — directed by faculty member Marianne Ulmer — saw 1,240 school children and teachers attend the various performances. A public performance drew 192 audience members.
Theatre MSU continues has hosted the North Mississippi High School Drama Festival for more than 40 years. Held in early December, this year’s festival saw students from 17 schools attending, with 15 of those schools performing in competition.
An estimated 450 high school teachers and students attended this year’s festival, including Starkville High School, whose production of “Almost, Maine” won several awards and advanced to state competition.
Upcoming productions for Theatre MSU will be “Rabbit Hole” from Feb. 25 to 27 in the Lab Theater. A Pulitzer Prize-winning play by David Lindsay-Abaire, the play examines the ways family members survive a major loss. “Rabbit Hole” will be directed by Jo Durst.
Theatre MSU will stage the musical “The Apple Tree” from April 8 to 10 in the main McComas Theater. Written by Jerry Bock, “The Apple Tree” is a series of three musical playlets with their own storyline but all tied together with a common theme. Marianne Ulmer will direct “The Apple Tree,” which recently enjoyed a three-month run on Broadway in late 2006 and early 2007.
With the upcoming productions and for productions in future years, corporate sponsorships are being sought to help defray some of the costs involved with staging the individual shows, augmenting the limited budgets for each. Any corporate sponsors would be listed as producers in all publicity and promotional materials for the shows they support, Durst said.
Public support for the recent productions has been solid and is greatly appreciated, Durst said.
“We want to thank the Starkville community. We appreciate people stepping up and making donations and for coming to our shows,” Durst said.
Those interested in donating toward the fund drive for the new equipment or being a corporate sponsor for a Theatre MSU production can contact Durst by telephone at 325-7954 when MSU reopens for spring semester classes in January. Voice mail messages can be left at that number.
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