The students of Austin College bring to life the musical Cabaret, from the book by Joe Masteroff, this weekend on the Ida Green Stage in Ida Green Communication Center. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, January 29 and 30, and February 5 and 6, with an additional 2:30 p.m. performance on February 6. Tickets, $15 for the general public, free with a valid Austin College ID, are available at the door.
The play’s action is centered in a sleazy nightclub in Berlin, where the rise to power of the Nazi Party brings change to the lives of all its characters.
Cabaret is the product of a January Term course designed to help students explore theatre for the first time or to hone their skills by working with professional directors, coaches, designers, and musicians.
Photos Courtesy of Elizabeth Oltman ’12
Produced by Austin College theatre alumni Mark Daniel ’81 and Casey McClellan ’79, the production is includes the leadership and work of several alumni. McClellan also is the director of the production. Kendall Nibert ’16 is the stage manager.
The cast of Cabaret includes the following Austin College students:
- Kaitlin Casmedes of Sherman, Texas, as Sally Bowles
- Clarice Davidchik of Sherman, Texas, as Frau Schneider
- Jacob Dowell of Little Rock, Arkansas, as Herr Schultz
- Kevin Drummond of Houston, Texas, as Ernst Ludwig
- Emma Grundy of Wichita Falls, Texas, as Fraulein Kost
- Antonio Louvet of Austin, Texas, as Clifford Bradshaw
- Norely Ramos of Houston, Texas, MC of Cabaret
The Kit Kat Girls:
- Lena Adams of Ladonia, Texas, as Frenchie
- Salina DuClos of Burleson, Texas, as Rosie
- Libby Jennings of Sherman, Texas, as Texas
- Kaitlyn Kirby of Plano, Texas, as Fritzie
- Sarah Monroe of San Antonio, Texas, as Maria
- Rachel Patel of Richardson, Texas, as Lulu. She is also the Dance Captain for the show.
- Christopher Cooper of Midland, Texas
- Adam Lehman of Iowa Park, Texas
- Matthew Lu of Newton, Massachusetts
- Andrew Maienschein of Sherman Texas
- Alex Quinn of Lubbock, Texas
- Sam Skupin of Sadler, Texas
The Ensemble:
- Emily Gant of Sherman, Texas
- Grace Harrison of Farmersville, Texas
- Bethany Holder of Houston, Texas
- Kennedy Lindner of Conroe, Texas
- Reba Paul of Marble Falls, Texas
- Monique Vincent of Plano, Texas
The Technical Crew:
- Eli Prachar of Rockwall, Texas
- Laurel B. Reiche of Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Oskar Rytting of Houston, Texas
The orchestra is made up of Austin College faculty Ricky Duhaime, Daniel Dominick, John McGinn, and Wayne Crannell; alumni Dave Rankin ’79 and Hannah Sansavath ’15; current student Connor Luckett ’19; and Reese Brentzel, a music student of Austin College faculty.
Alumni are producing and directing the show, plus serving in a variety of leadership roles. Producers are Mark Daniel ’81 and Casey McClellan ’79. McClellan also is the director of the production. Julie Johnson ’81 is co-director and costume director, aswell as acting and dialogue coach.. Choreography is directed by Meghan Cardwell-Wilson ’04. Scenic designer is Jeff Ridenour ’11 with lighting design by Jeff Mabray ’96. Music director is Wayne Crannell of the Austin College music faculty.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 36 percent of students representing ethnic minorities. A residential student body of 1,250 students and a faculty of more than 100 allow a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. The College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. Founded in 1849, the College is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.