Home > Current Buzz > So. Illinois University @ Edwardsville Kicks off 2012 Year w FAME
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'Fame' cast, crew preparing to take Dunham Hall stage
October 9, 2012

By Josh Bovinette

SIUE’s Music and Theater and Dance departments are collaborating on a musical filled with big ensemble numbers and eye-catching dance sequences that might help some students find what they are looking for : fame.

The musical was a hit movie and television series in the ’80s and tells the story of several students in pursuit of fame at the New York High School of Performing Arts. This inner-city high school, although devoted to art, has a strict, competitive atmosphere that requires devotion and commitment from the students.

Director Peter Cocuzza believes that the interdepartmental collaboration is what makes the production a unique experience.

“Producing ‘Fame’ gave us the opportunity to incorporate several departments within the university,” Cocuzza said. “It really is a great collaborative effort between the Theater, Dance and Music departments, as well as other technicians within the university.”

Often to produce a musical script as challenging as “Fame,” universities bring in outside performers and technicians, but this was not the case for SIUE’s production.

“We’re happy that within the university we have all the talent, all the skill and all the musicians right here on campus,” Cocuzza said. “It’s a really good mark of what goes on here in these departments and the state of the arts here at the university. It’s really thriving.”

After considering several plays, the Theater and Dance Department decided to produce “Fame” to kick off the fall season. The production process started with auditions during the first week of the semester, and rehearsals started very soon after. Tuesday’s opening will be the result of a long, collaborative effort requiring a high level of dedication from the performers.

“We’ve been working pretty much nonstop from the end of August until Oct. 9, when we open,” Cocuzza said.

Sophomore theater major Amanda Wales is excited to work with so many talented performers.

“You get a lot of time with the whole cast,” Wales said. “That doesn’t happen with a lot of other plays. With big, fast-paced numbers, everyone works together. It’s really a fun piece to perform.”

Cast members who may have little experience doing all three types of performance will be required to act, sing and dance for this production.

Senior theater major Ani Waggoner said performing this piece has helped her learn from other performers.

“I’m part of the ensemble.,” Waggoner said. “We do a lot of dancing, a ton of singing and I’ve got some lines, so I have to do some acting, too.”

With the curtain about to go up, Cocuzza, along with his cast and crew, is working tirelessly to make sure the show is ready for opening night. Cocuzza is also hoping to see some large audiences during the run and hopes that students will take advantage of the opportunity to see the show.

“Student tickets are free,” Cocuzza said. “It’s a chance to invite somebody on a date and impress them with your knowledge of theater. But more than anything else, I think it’s a chance to go out for a night and just have a great time.”

The Theater and Dance Department will present “Fame” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9-13 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 14 in the Dunham Hall Theater.

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