Grayson College TEAMS Fall 2016

BJ Kirkpatrick News 08/21/201612/17/2020Grayson College Event

Registration is open for the Grayson College TEAMS Fall 2016 program

Grayson College TEAMS is a lifelong learning program offered to students 60 years of age and older. TEAMS classes are non-credit. There are no tests, grades, or papers to write! The program will include talented instructors, college professors, and business leaders with categorical experience. The sheer joy of learning something new and becoming more informed is the goal of T.E.A.M.S participants. Students will be able to select which classes they would like to attend by calling the Center for Workplace Learning. You can take one class or take them all!

BOOK, MOVIE AND THEATRE – TRIFECTA!

Join us for a fun, relaxed literary conversation hosted by Lisa Hebert, our energetic and outgoing Head Librarian.

Book & a Movie- September 1 and 15, Movie- September 29
Theatre Review- October 13, Theatre outing, date TBA
Book & a Movie- October 27, Movie- November 10
Discussions will meet in the Library at 1pm. Movies will be shown in the CWL Auditorium at 1pm.

CULINARY CREATIONS Seating is limited!

Squash Extravaganza With Chef Scott Murray

In this ingredient specific class, you will get to cook with Chef Scott using one of his favorite ingredients: SQUASH! Dishes will include the use of patty pan squash, 8 ball squash, squash blossoms, spaghetti squash, and zucchini pasta.

Monday, September 26, 6pm-9pm, Culinary Arts kitchen

FALL DESSERTS

Chef Melissa will focus this class on fall themed desserts such as apple dumplings, bread pudding, and a pumpkin roll!

Saturday, October 22, 12pm-3pm, Culinary Arts kitchen

BAKING WITH FRUITS

Pastry Chef Kelley will introduce you to classic fruit pastries such as apple and pear gallettes, lemon and grapefruit curd, and fruit tarts!

Saturday, November 19, 12pm-3pm, Culinary Arts kitchen

PROFESSOR LECTURE SERIES

Hear from a few of Grayson’s best presenting professors sharing their love of knowledge on their favorite subjects. These presentations have been TEAMS participant’s favorites! Call the CWL for a finalized TEAMS lecture series schedule.

TECH-TUESDAYS –

Technology is continuing to make great leaps and bounds that revolutionize the way we live. Join us for a series of engaging conversations sharing information about today’s latest technology to make your life easier.

September 13, 2016 and September 27, 2016
October 11, 2016 and October 25, 2016
November 8, 2016 and November 29, 2016
Classes will meet at the CWL, Seminar A at 2pm.

TEXOMA TOURS-

Join us on one of our fun and educational group tours! Transportation provided- details to follow.

Friday, September 16, 2016, 10am-12:30pm, Sam Rayburn House Museum- Bonham, Texas
Friday, October 7, 2016, 10am-12:30pm, Eisenhower State Park, guided fossil hunt
Friday, November 4, 2016, 10am- 5pm, George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum- Dallas, Texas

THEATRE PRODUCTIONS AND ART SHOWS-

Black, White, and 50 Shades of Gray XVI Exhibit- 2nd Floor Gallery, Grayson College
- Exhibition Dates: August 18 to September 30, 2016
Dia de los Muertos V Exhibit- 2nd Floor Gallery, Grayson College
- Exhibition Dates: October 6 to November 3, 2016
“Down the Rabbit Hole” – 2nd Floor Gallery, Grayson College
- Exhibition Dates: November 9 to December 8, 2016
Shakespeare’;s, TEMPEST- October 5 and 6, 10am, Cruse Stark Auditorium, Grayson College

Locations and dates vary with each class. Please contact our office for this information at 903-463-8765.

*Make sure to visit the Student Life Center to obtain your Student ID and gain all of the benefits of being a student at Grayson College!

Cost for all events $60

Grayson College theatre presents “Working”

BJ Kirkpatrick News 04/23/201602/22/2024Grayson College Event

Grayson College theatre presents “Working” April 29 to May 1

People may not always whistle while they work, but Grayson College Theatre Department students sing about jobs and the people who do them during its production of “Working.” The musical runs April 29 through May 1 in Grayson College’s Cruce Stark Auditorium in the Arts & Communication Building on its Main Campus in Denison.

The Tony Award-winning musical follows the lives of everyday people as they tackle their work day. Grayson College actors bring the characters to life as they deliver their dreams and disappointments in a fun, funny and – at times – poignant meld of song and dance.

The musical is based on Studs Terkel’s book, “Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do,” which features people from different regions and occupations. Interviews from the book were turned into monologues and songs by Steven Schwartz, composer of “Wicked” and “Godspell,” as well as composers Ina Faso and Gordon Greenberg. It features songs by Schwartz, Susan Birkenhead, Craig Carnelian, Micki Grant, Lin-Manuel Miranda (composer and writer of “Hamilton” now appearing on Broadway, and composer for “In the Heights”), Mary Rogers, and James Taylor.

“Working” kicks off Grayson College’s 50^th Anniversary Celebration Day with a performance at 10 a.m. on April 29, and another that evening at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Jeremy McMillen, Grayson College president, gives opening remarks at both performances. Other performances are April 30 at 7:30 p.m., and May 1 at 2 p.m. Tickets are free.

“‘Working’ is Grayson College’s gift to the community in honor of our golden anniversary. We picked this show because it celebrates working people – the people we don’t usually think about who are in the background, just doing their jobs,” said Robin Robinson, Grayson College theatre director and theatre professor. “Obviously, Grayson College is about that. Our degree programs, tech programs, degrees and certificates provide opportunities and celebrate the idea of people working and contributing to their families and communities.”

Denison sophomore Holden Webster directs the musical, a first for him in this genre. He made his directorial debut last year in “Last Call at Chez Mort,” Grayson College’s murder mystery dinner theatre production.

“I’ve been in 14 musicals as an actor, but this is my first to direct,” Webster said. “As a performer, I know how actors think and go about the process of developing a character. This helps me as a director to communicate my vision and to help bring about the best in them as they develop their characters.

“‘Working’ is just plain fun. Its content and the people I’m involved with here have made it one of the best experiences,” he said. “The cast and crew are incredible to work with. They’ve been receptive in doing everything I’ve asked and are bringing great things to the production. The audience is in for a treat.”

While there are 40 characters in all, the production is traditionally performed by much fewer people who portray multiple roles. Of the 15 actors in the musical, Olney freshman Jesse Alsup plays steelworker Mike Dillard, which is the only character that recurs throughout the production.

Grayson College sophomore cast members are: Hunter Malone of Bells; Lydia Foster of Chesterfield, Va.; and Jorge Amador of Princeton. Freshman cast members include: Tyler Burns of Bells; Darrion Dockins of Clarksville; Caitlin Pohland of Corsicana; James Berggren of Denison; Christian Love of Farmersville; Ashley Coffman of Houston; Jamee Rhoades of Sweetwater; Colton Wall of Whitewright; and Luke Brown of Wolfe City. Anna Clarkson, Sherman High School choir director, is a cast member as well.

Robinson also performs in the musical. Her character is a teacher with 40 years of experience, and since Robinson retires from Grayson College in June after a 19-year tenure, Webster thought it would be a great swan-song role for her.

“I’ve acted in a few shows while I’ve been at Grayson College, but I never do it unless I can trust that the student director won’t be intimidated by me,” she said. “Holden is the first Grayson College student to be in charge of a musical. His experience and maturity definitely played a role in that decision, and he has proven himself more than capable.”

Grayson College theatre professor Thea Albert designed the scenery, which is abstract and features workplace objects that represent more than what they typically do. Katie Gaskill of Savoy, a graduating sophomore, serves as stage manager and choreographer. Grayson College theatre professor Tenna Matthews is technical director and production manager. Bryce Dansby of Denison, also a graduating sophomore, is light designer. It is his responsibility to create the atmosphere of the various vocations with the lighting.

“Katie and Bryce carry a lot of weight in this production because what they’re doing contributes to the overall success of the actors and the production,” Webster said. “It’s an incredible challenge that they’re both performing fantastically well.”

“Working” features a live band to accompany the vocalists. Pam Gauthier-Hamer, a choir director for Sherman ISD, serves as the production’s music director and plays keyboard in the band. Other band members are: Dr. David Tercero, Grayson College music professor, and Brad Roberts, GRAYSON COLLEGE graduate, both on guitar; and community members Vallerie Farris on keyboard, Frank Steele on percussion, and Gregg Tarvin on guitar.

Three cast members also serve as crew members, including Amador as sound designer, Poland as costume designer, and Love as assistant costume designer. McKinney sophomore Robert Gildner operates the spotlight. Freshmen crew members are: Jordan Harger of Bonham, wardrobe; Colt Schell of Denison, assistant stage manager; Connor Copeland of Howe, mic operator; Devin Anding of Jewett, master electrician and light board operator; Jordan Curry of Sadler, makeup and hair designer; Dwayne Bruce of Tom Bean, assistant stage manager and props; and Trent Rohret of Wolfe City, sound board operator.

“Working” is a 90-minute musical with no intermission. While it’s not a children’s show, it is appropriate for most family members. Tickets are free and reservations are not required. For more information about the musical, contact the GRAYSON COLLEGE Theatre Department at 903-463-8609 or theatre@grayson.edu .

“Pirates! Theodore Thud and the Quest for Weird Beard”

BJ Kirkpatrick News 02/16/2016Grayson College Event

Grayson College presents “Pirates! Theodore Thud and the Quest for Weird Beard”

Grayson College Theatre for Young Audiences presents “Pirates! Theodore Thud and the Quest for Weird Beard” Feb. 17-20 at the Cruce Stark Auditorium, located in the Arts & Communication Building on GC’s Main Campus in Denison. The 40-minute play features morning performances Feb. 17-19 at 10 a.m. and one evening performance on Feb. 20 at 7 p.m.

Written by award-winning playwright Joshua Mikel, the play features a cast of crazy characters on an adventure of fun and fantasy. A childlike game of make-believe pirates becomes all too real when Theodore Thud, played by Wolfe City freshman Luke Brown, falls into a giant sinkhole and awakes to find himself mistaken for a notorious swashbuckler in a world of pirates, ghosts, mermaids and other creatures. Theodore undertakes an epic journey with Harriet the Ghost, played by Sadler freshman Jordan Curry, to find the real Weird Beard, played by Olney freshman Jesse Alsup, and thwart the mutinous Mr. Clunky Bones, played by Denison sophomore Holden Webster.

“A bit timid as the youngest of his friends at the play’s beginning, Theodore rises above his own insecurities and grows up during the quest,” said Robin Robinson, GC theatre director. “He learns to be brave, to reach out beyond himself, to think of others and to help them.”

“Pirates!” is a fast-moving, imaginative production that features eight different settings. Student designers created whimsical scenery, colorful costumes, and innovative lighting and special effects that are instrumental in moving characters from scene to scene. The characters are exaggerated versions of what one typically thinks, and they all have problems to overcome, which is presented in a fun and humorous way.

“It’s theatre so it’s all imagination, but if we believe, the audience believes it too,” Robinson said. “Children’s shows are challenging for actors to maintain high energy and performance, but they’re also an elevated form of play. We get to be kids at heart on stage while we engage the audience during the show.”

Robinson selected the production for the GC Theatre Department’s annual show specifically for young audiences because it is pure entertainment. Everyone in the audience will find something to enjoy.

“‘Pirates!’ is a perfect fit for kids of all ages, including adults,” Robinson said. “It’s a great way to expose kids to live theatre, and it’s cheaper than a movie.”

Bells sophomore Hunter Malone joins Webster as the only other sophomore cast member. She plays two roles: Becky and Penelope.

Alsup also plays two characters, adding Merle along with Weird Beard. Other freshman cast members performing dual roles include: Tyler Burns of Bells as Jay and Marco; Jordan Harger of Bonham as Penny and Linz the Mermaid; James Berggren of Denison as Thad and Pierre; Connor Copeland of Howe as Deet and Rain; Katelin Britton of Tom Bean as Juice and DeeDee the Mermaid; and Colton Wall of Whitewright as Doodle and Leaf. Other freshman cast members are: Darrion Dockins of Clarksville as Vinnie Vulture; Anatole Santalyole and Colt Schell, both of Denison, as Captain Cramp Hand and Doot, respectively; Madison Styles of Durant as Polly Parrot; and Jordan Curry of Sadler as Harriet.

Four sophomores serve as designers for the production. Webster is scene designer in addition to his acting role. Other designers are: Jorge Amador of Princeton, sound; Bryce Dansby of Denison, lighting; and Lydia Foster of Pottsboro, costumes. Corsicana freshman Caitlin Pohland is makeup/hair designer and assists Foster with costumes.

GC theatre professor Tenna Matthews is technical director and production manager. Savoy sophomore Katie Gaskill is stage manager. In addition to their acting roles, Berggren and Curry also serve as electrician and scenic painter, respectively.

Freshmen crew members include: Tyler Burns of Bells, props; Trent Rohlet of Bonham, fly rail; Morgan Thomas of Denison and Christian Love of Princeton, wardrobe and costumes; Devin Anding of Jewett, assistant lighting director and mics; Phillip Allen of Mesquite, master electrician and light board operator; Dylan Wells of Pottsboro, sound board operator; Ashley Coffman of Sugar Land, assistant scene designer and fly rail; and Dwayne Bruce of Tom Bean, assistant stage manager.

Tickets for “Pirates! Theodore Thud and the Quest for Weird Beard” are $1 per person, or free with college ID. Parents are welcome to bring cameras and take pictures of their children with the actors after the Saturday evening performance. Reservations are not necessary. For more information about the play, contact the GC Theatre Department at 903-463-8609 or theatre@grayson.edu.