Theatre and Dance – Page 3

Emmy Award winner Jennifer Rudnicke ’91 joins Redbird Buzz

Casting director Jennifer Rudnicke ’91 joins Redbird Buzz to discuss her journey from Illinois State to winning an Emmy.

Bullish on The Bear: Casting director brings Chicago to life in award-winning series

Jennifer Rudnicke posed, sitting in a restaurant, Mr. Beef on Orleans

Jennifer Rudnicke ’90 earned a Primetime Emmy Award for her casting work on acclaimed dramedy The Bear.

Where are they now?: Sandi Zielinski ’67, M.F.A. ’81

A passion for theatre keeps Sandi Zielinski ’67, M.F.A. ’81, young at heart, and that passion was born at Illinois State University.

Impact Series: Theatre teacher education program fosters an appreciation of fine arts in younger generation

A collage of headshots of the students and faculty member featured in the article. On the first row, Dilan is a young woman with long, reddish brown hair, wearing a purple turtle neck and hoop necklace. Bebe has shoulder-length curly black hair and is wearing a dark pink blouse and gold earrings. Lorelei has golden brown curly hair and is wearing a royal blue top with a chain necklace. On the second row, Parker is a young man with short curly brown hair that is quaffed, wearing a dark blue sweater. Dr. Chrismon is a middle-aged gentleman with short hair, wearing a white dress shirt and purple sweater vest. Markos is a young man with long curly dark brown hair, wearing a red sweater and a necklace with a gold medallion.

The Illinois State University School of Theatre and Dance (SoTD) Theatre Teacher Education program has grown exponentially in the past few years, expanding the number of opportunities for secondary students in the Bloomington-Normal area to be able to work with new and upcoming theatre professionals. SoTD students foster a love for the fine arts in the next generation while also gaining invaluable experience that will prepare them for the next steps in their careers.

Graduating Redbirds: International grad student with a love for films, theatre writes his own story

student eating popcorn in a dark movie theater

Gustavo Nery Dutra Guedes traveled a great distance for the opportunity to study at Illinois State University. He left his home and family in his hometown of Fortaleza, Brazil, to follow his academic dreams and become a Redbird. He is graduating with a Master of Arts in theatre studies.

The School of Theatre and Dance presents the Spring 2024 Dance Concert: Transcend!

Two dancers, dressed in black, jumping in the air. There is a yellow background and several colorful shapes floating around them.

The School of Theatre and Dance will wrap up the spring 2024 semester with the Spring Dance Concert, Transcend!, with artistic direction from Laina Reese. The concert will consist of five unique pieces, featuring choreography from Kyle Ayers, Greg Merriman, Laina Reese, Sarah Semonis, and guest artist Will Gill.

The stories that make a storyteller: Meet Novid Parsi, winner of the Diverse Voices Playwriting Initiative

Playwright Novid Parsi will be on campus to workshop his play The Life You Gave Me, which will be presented in a staged reading on Friday, April 26.

School of Theatre and Dance offers preview and pre-show event for A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Two headshots of Sarah and Connie. Sarah is blonde and wearing a blue and floral shirt. Connie is ash blonde and wearing a black turtleneck, the background is a magical looking forest path made of black, dark pink, and pastel greens and yellows. A light appears to emanate from where the path leads.

Illinois State University’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare will have an official preview performance on April 17 at 7:30 p.m. with tickets sold at reduced prices. There will also be a preshow talk and reception at 6 p.m. that includes a discussion with a panel of creators associated with the show, including the dramaturg, Sarah Hall, and director, Connie deVeer.

Staged reading of The Life You Gave Me, April 26

The Crossroads Project will present a staged reading of The Life You Gave Me by Novid Parsi, winner of the 2024 Diverse Voices Playwriting Initiative. The event will take place in person on Friday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m. in Stevenson Hall, Room 401. Following the staged reading will be a talkback with the playwright.

“The course of true love never did run smooth” in the School of Theatre and Dance’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream

A painting of a path through a whimsical forest. A light seems to emanate from where the path leads.

This April, the Illinois State University School of Theatre and Dance presents Shakespeare’s beloved comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” directed by Professor of Acting and Voice Connie deVeer.