Places for Act One! Curtain up! A+, everyone!

This is what the students in the arts management minor of Westminster Choir College of Rider University will be hoping to earn by their efforts in producing a play as a class requirement. The project, which is three semesters in the making, will be a collaborative effort with both the Black Box Theater and Stephen Crane House in Asbury Park, NJ. A venue-specific play, "Words from Arbutus Cottage," written by Midge Guerrera uses the writings of Stephen Crane’s family. The students will also host a fundraising champagne and dessert party for the two non-profits.

Beginning in Spring 2005, the fundraising in the arts class acquired start up funds for the project through grant writing and cold-calling. Last semester, students in the arts management class worked enthusiastically and without complaint within their committees, setting and accomplishing their own goals and deadlines. This semester, a new group of fresh-faced – albeit unknowing – students enrolled in the communication and marketing in the arts class are continuing the work. They are participating in working groups like ticket sales, public relations, event planning and programming.

Natalie Megules, a senior voice performance major and publicity chair, said, “If by working group, you mean digging through a costume barn thick with dust from hoop skirts unworn since 1970, then you’re right on. If by working group, you mean excusing yourself to go sob quietly in the bathroom when the teacher uses the words press kits, press releases, public service announcements, calendar listings and media lists all in one breath, then you’re in the right class.”

“This is real-world, real-time experience, folks! You can’t pay for this kind of experience!” Professor Midge Guerrera beams for the umpteenth time during a class session.

“The thing about this real-world, real-time experience is that you really have to be on top of your game,” comments Jonathan Slawson, a freshman music education major who is responsible for the program booklet. “You can’t skip an assignment or do it halfway because an entire production is depending on your work for the project.”

“I think it’s great that we’re getting the chance to learn about arts management by actually doing it rather than just reading about it. It’s a huge amount of hard work, but it has much more of an impact,” added sophomore Sara Noble, junior voice performance major and production stage manager.

Performances of "Words from Arbutus Cottage" will be held Saturday, April 22 at 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, April 23 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. On Thursday, April 20, student performances will begin at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. All performances will be held at the Stephen Crane House, 508 Fourth Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ.

The champagne reception will also be held on April 21 in the Stephen Crane House, accompanied by music of the time period, including temperance hymns, ragtime, and vaudeville. For ticket information please call 315-289-3253.

The play will feature Westminster students: Emily Adams, Gina Basso, Kaitlyn Conway, David Doerr, Carl Hulden, Michael King, Amanda Pascale. Ryan Crimmins will be the assistant director and Amanda Lee will be the costume and wig coordinator. David Fitzpatrick will be in charge of the music for both the play and the event, and Carter Hallett will act as the house manager for the play. Montgomery Township 10 year-old Stephanie Sweeney (daughter of Rider student Karen Sweeney) will be featured as the young Stephen Crane.

“Books are great, but the best way to learn is by doing,” says Guerrera. “I want to give the arts management minor students something really meaningful to sink their teeth into, and real responsibilities that will help them in their careers and on their resumes.”