February Family Shows

Family programming from Convocations has a dual role. It must fill an education curricular need for school matinees so that teachers may bring their classes to campus for a field trip to an actual theatre. The show must also be a title that appeals to families that will come to see a public performance. When we look at titles, we work closely with our Education Advisory Committee to find shows that appeal to both schools and families. The two performances scheduled for February reach our goal. For our public performances we add to the theatrical experience with a pre-show lobby activity that the whole family can enjoy. Just look at what we have cooked up for February!

How do you make learning civics fun? TheatreworksUSA’s rockin’ show "We the People" presents civics with a modern twist. This musical revue fantasizes what it might have been like to have the founding fathers as members of a rock band. Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Franklin teach the reluctant heroine, Dawn Shapiro, who is running for Student Council President, the true meaning of our rights as U.S. citizens. They rock through explanations the three branches of government, the First Amendment, presidential elections and the judicial process, making social studies come to life for students of all ages.

On Saturday, February 19th, come to Loeb Playhouse from 2:00-2:45 p.m. to learn more about the constitution and how to be a good citizen from Purdue’s James F. Ackerman Center for Democratic Citizenship. Part of Purdue’s College of Education, the Ackerman Center will present the Schoolhouse Rock Video “Constitution Rock” in the west lobby. They will also have computers set up where patrons may take a quiz on their knowledge of the constitution and a Jeopardy Board where teams of three can compete for a prize. Your whole family will be inspired to participate in our democracy. The program is recommended for ages 9 and up. The "We the People" performance starts at 3 p.m.

For our very youngest patrons, the puppetry of Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia and the charming stories of Eric Carle are combined for "The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Favourites" on Sunday, February 27th at 3 p.m. Recommended for ages 3-8, Mermaid Theatre draws upon the magic of black light to present three favorite Eric Carle stories including The Very Hungry Caterpillar , the story of its metamorphosis into a beautiful butterfly, the fanciful account of Little Cloud’s travels through the sky, and The Mixed-Up Chameleon’s discovery of his own unique nature.
Prior to the show from 2:00-2:45 p.m. join us in the West Lobby for a chance to learn more about insects with Tom Turpin’s entomology students who will bring live creepy crawlers and their own hand puppet bug creations to entertain and educate young patrons about some of nature’s most interesting creatures!

We will have coloring pages for children to take home that explain the life of a caterpillar. Kids can also help us make a butterfly collage in the spirit of Eric Carle’s artwork.

Laura Clavio
Assistant Director of Purdue Convocations

First Semester: Purdue Student Concert Committee

Student Concert Committee started the school year in August with a surge of marketing efforts for our two fall semester shows, Lady Antebellum with Special Guest David Nail, and Snoop Dogg with Special Guest Janelle Monae. Second year members led marketing efforts to incoming freshmen at the Boiler Gold Rush Activities Fair and to the general student body at the Purdue Memorial Union Board Student Activities Fair. Dozens of posters were hung, blackboards and sidewalks chalked, social networking campaigns were launched, and table talks were given at Greek houses and residence halls.

These activities were quickly followed by SCC Callout which attracted 65 applications for appointment to the committee. Only eight new members are chosen each academic year. The application and interview process was completed in late September and the following new members were appointed to a two-year term: Kara Ford, Hilary Hoover, Billy LaRue, Molly Longest, Ashwath Rajagopalan, April Smith, Katherine Susemichael, and Hayley Warner. Second year members include Greg Braun, Kevin Breen, Austin Chen, Charleston Crouch, Sean Mullen, Josie Pike, Travis Sawrie, and Jack Ulrich. Year-two members were happy to have extra help executing our promotional activities.

New members had only been aboard a little over a week when the Lady Antebellum performance came on October 7th. New members were supplied with the newly written SCC Production Manual and given instruction on backstage etiquette and work expectations. All went smoothly, and the group quickly bonded and gained experience at just what it takes to put on a large touring performance!

Working big shows becomes very intense a few days prior to the performance. SCC members are busy gathering food requested on our advance sheet called the “rider” that gives instructions on how to prepare for the day of the performance. Technical needs such as lighting, audio and stage are handled by the crew at Elliott Hall of Music. SCC concentrates on preparing the catering room, dressing rooms and meet- and -greet spaces. The students begin to shop a day or two in advance of the show gathering the requested items and anything else needed. They assist the caterer in preparing for meals and set up the dressing rooms with pipe and drape, tables, furniture…whatever is required. Some of the students also serve as “runners” working for the band’s production crew day of show.

We had hardly caught our breath from the first show when, just eleven days later on October 20th, it was time for Snoop Dogg’s performance…….and, it was his birthday! At first, his staff had said that Snoop usually didn’t care to have his birthday recognized, but he must have changed his mind because he sang “Happy Birthday” to himself along with the audience during the show! SCC had a great time meeting him after the show and sharing a birthday cake they presented to him.

The semester ended with a holiday pizza party at Bruno’s, and the committee said “good-bye” to member Sean Mullen, this semester’s production manager, who graduated in December. Thanks, Sean, for all your contributions to the committee!