Tag Archives: Robbie Steiner

A&E, Isaac Mathewson

Theatre director sets goals for next year

Leave a comment

By Isaac Mathewson

As the lights of this year dim down, theatre director Robbie Steiner reflects on his fourth year at FC and his second year as director.

Steiner said that he has improved greatly since last year.

“I have a much better idea how to plan things out than I did last year.”

The one aspect Steiner will miss the most about this year is the departing seniors.

“Many of these seniors have been in this program since my first year here. I’ve seen them grow throughout their years of high school. It will be hard for me to see them go.”

As the year ends, Steiner has begun making plans for next year.

First, he has seen a great increase on people joining the program since last year, especially in his tech class, which only had a mere eight joining this year.

Steiner said that not a whole lot will change in next year’s curriculum, apart from developing practical hands-on experience for techs and giving more emphasis on musical theatre.

There is no news yet on what plays will be performed next year, but Steiner said that there will be many family favorites, which might possibly include Annie.

Steiner has several goals that he wishes to set next year. For one, he hopes to improve himself by balancing his own life with his work on the program.

“This is a really stressful, albeit fun, job. I want to be able to serve this program well while still trying to support my own needs.”

Another goal he wishes to set is to provide more opportunities for actors and techs.

“I want to cultivate student leadership, not just for the seniors, but for lowerclassmen also.”

Although there are many aspects that Steiner will miss about this year, he still has a positive outlook for next year and for the years that will follow.

 

A&E

Theatre seniors rise to inspirational finale

Leave a comment

By Megan Johnson

Senior year. The finale of a teen’s high school career. Some feel it is the last time they will ever been seen as a teenager and the first time they will be seen as an adult. However, for some teens involved in theatre, their “finale” is very literal.

Theatre seniors experienced such a finale last weekend in “Pride and Prejudice.” Within this show, some of the seniors had major roles. Other cast members like sophomore Ashley Denny said seniors displayed leadership in playing their roles.

“They’re very helpful, dedicated and hard working actors,” she said.

Denny said that senior Savannah Wormley taught her how to work hard during performances, but also enjoy herself.

Wormley shared that theatre has not always been her main priority. However, over the years it has become a major part of her life.

“Theatre is what got me to come out of my shell. I’m not exactly shy, but theatre really takes away inhibitions, you become very outgoing,” said Wormley.

Sophomore Henry Miller said his inspiration comes from not only one actor, but two: seniors Clay Gulley and Collin Jackson.

“They have taught me that theater is tough because you have a lot of competition, but a lot of people want you to succeed,” said Miller.

Jackson explained that theatre has always been a part of his life.

“I feel like it’s just a part of me. I don’t experience what I feel on stage anywhere else. I just can’t not do it,” he said.

Miller shared that he sees both of these actors as very talented and wishes to succeed as they have.

Theatre director Robbie Steiner said Gulley stood out amongst his peers as a true leader.

“He’s the thespian president and a great example of somebody who works very hard. He’s humble, he cares for his peers and makes effort to be a good role model,” said Steiner.

Steiner shared that Gulley has matured since his freshman year and has become a hard-working, poised young man.

Gulley shared that this maturity has mainly blossomed within the past year.

“The fact that I’m almost 18 and about to graduate has really given me perspective on things. To accept that you’re growing up requires some maturity, and I think some of that maturity has transcended into my performances,” said Gulley.

With all four years of experience and growth in theatre, Gulley leaves with high hopes for the up and coming leaders.

“I believe that anyone who is true to their passions, is hardworking and above all, truly respectful of others has the potential to truly be a wonderful leader. Theatre is a fire within the performer and only he can keep it ablaze.”

Additional reporting by Melanie Parrish.

A&E

FC theatre recreates Jane Austen’s 1813 classic

Leave a comment

By Melanie Parrish and Megan Johnson

“Alright ladies and gents, line up for the last dance in the second ball,” said director Amy Harpenau.

Theatre students hastily take their places on the floor. As they disperse and the talking dies down, a countdown of “five, six, seven, eight” is given and classical music begins to play.

Pride and Prejudice is a play set in the early 1800’s about a young woman whose strong willed intentions clash with the surrounding beliefs of others.

“I think the sort of strict boundaries of this time period go along with relations between characters, because if somebody dances with the same girl twice, then it’s like ‘oh, well we’re expecting a marriage proposal now’,” said junior Chelsea Balmer, who plays Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

Pride and Prejudice is a novel originally written by Jane Austen. The book created the basis for the play later written by Jon Jory. Within this play, there are several themes: romance, independence, responsibility, and of course, pride and prejudice.

A major theme within both the play and the book  is justified within the first lines, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.”

However, in order for these themes to be shown thoroughly, they must have actors who are able to naturally display them.

“When we choose a student for a role, we’re looking at the character qualities as a person and as an actor,” said Harpenau. “Actors are more than just what is written on a page.”

Director Amy Harpenau coaches senior Savannah Wormley and sophomore Ashley Denny. Photo by Megan Johnson.
Director Amy Harpenau coaches senior Savannah Wormley and sophomore Ashley Denny. Photo by Megan Johnson.“Actors are more than just what is written on a page.”

The play is defined as a “satire,” meaning comical ridicule is used to show the indirect problems within the plot. As the play is a satire, actors must be able to act in a comical manner, yet still channel the true emotion of their character.

“I try to think about the character’s mental status,” explained Balmer. “I try to think, ‘how does that affect their thinking and their feeling?’”

Though the specifics of stage design have not been released yet, there will be a new addition.

“It will include an extension of the stage, allowing the actors to be closer to the audience,” said theatrical arts teacher Robbie Steiner.

“Hopefully the design doesn’t stick out; I want the audience’s focus to be more towards the students.”

Pride and Prejudice will be showing April 25, 26, 27 at 7:30 p.m. and April 26, 27 at 2 p.m.

“With such a range of characters, you are bound to find someone that you like. There’s a lot of great banter between the characters, so it’s fun, but there’s also a really good underlying message.”

 

A&E, Isaac Mathewson

‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’ provides actors new opportunities

Leave a comment
By Isaac Mathewson
As FC Theater’s spring production of The Scarlet Pimpernel fast approaches, theater director Robbie Steiner provides news that may interest and excite theater buffs.
As he has already stated, The Scarlet Pimpernel is a classic musical that tells the story of Sir Percy who rescues prisoners from the guillotine during the French Revolution and hides his true identity by disguising himself as a foppish playboy. “The Scarlet Pimpernel has beautiful music and has a funny script,” said Steiner.
For this show, the three leads are FC senior Collin Jackson as Percy, by junior Madeline Coffey as his wife Marguerite and senior Clay Gulley as the main antagonist Chauvelin. Steiner believes that they are fit for their parts and are well prepared.
According to Steiner, rehearsals have been going well so far but the many snow days have been taking away a lot of time and have put the actors behind schedule. However, he has stated that everything will be ready by opening night.
Steiner has also stated that the lead roles are going to be different from any of the other roles that the actors have had. There are going to be scenes with sword fighting in which Gulley and Jackson have been trained to do. Steiner has noted that while the swords are props, the actors are still at risk of being injured.
The Scarlet Pimpernel is set to take place on March 7, 8, 14, and 15 at 7:30 p.m. and March 9 and 16 at 2:00 p.m.
A&E, Uncategorized

The Scarlet Pimpernel replaces Annie

Leave a comment
By: Isaac Mathewson
For many high school girls who were excited to be in Annie this March, it will come as a disappointment to hear that FC theatre has instead decided on another show.
FC theatre director Robbie Steiner has explained the reasons why he has decided to replace the classic Annie with the lesser known musical The Scarlet Pimpernel.
“Despite the success of Les Mis, we are not going national with the show as we originally hoped,” he said. “We need a bigger money making show in order to do this.”
This decision was made just after Thanksgiving. Even though many actors and techs were looking forward to Annie, Steiner is still very excited about the upcoming show. “I’m excited for the opportunities that this will give to actors and techs this year,” he said.
The Scarlett Pimpernel tells the story of Englishman Percy Blakeney who is appalled by the atrocities of the guillotine during the French Revolution. He and his friends form “The League of the Scarlett Pimpernel” in the hopes of saving more lives. To cover up his intentions, he says that he is going to France to take advantage of the latest fashion, and he tells no one at home who he really is, not even his own wife.
The play is a musical dark comedy drama. Despite its setting and dark themes, this is a hilarious comedy that depicts the characters getting into outrageous situations. It also has music from celebrated Broadway composer Frank Wildhorn.
While he is still in the process of designing, Steiner says that the set may include what will appear to be an ancient theater from that time period. “It’s not going to be as technically challenging as Les Mis, but it will still be very technically challenging nonetheless,” he said.
Auditions for the show will take place on Wednesday, Jan.8 @ 3:45PM for high school and 7th and 8th grade boys. Auditions for girls will take place at 3:00 PM the next day. Callbacks will take place the following Tuesday at 3:00PM.
The Scarlet Pimpernel is set to take place March 7, 8, 14, and 15 at 7:30PM, and March 9 and 16 at 2:00PM.