Showcasing talent

By Mary Alice Garrett

This story originally appeared February 8, 2001 in the News Journal of Wilmington, Delaware.

An advanced academic course in the theater is getting rave reviews at Tatnall School.

Known as Showcase, the course is turning out future theater professionals as well as life-long lovers of the theater. Showcase performers open tonight with "Marvin’s Room" and will continue the production Friday and Saturday nights.

What started as an extracurricular activity in the 1960s is now a regular curriculum course. Tenth- through 12th-graders interview and audition to learn theater design, production and performance over a 10—month period.

Showcase produces about six theater professionals a year; said Bruce Chipman, Showcase director and head of the English department. The rest go into a variety of professions, but all participants — about 30 a year — leave with a knowledge of the entire theatrical process.

"One of the reasons I came to Tatnall was because of Showcase," Dan Donavanik, lighting and sound designer for "Marvin’s Room." Because of his Showcase involvement, Donavanik will major in film-making. "The relationships l’ve cultivated here have taught me more about myself and where my values and philosophies lie than any other scholastic experience l’ve encountered," Donavanik wrote on his application to Harvard University.

Stage manager Tessa LaNeve has explored theater programs at several prestigious colleges where she’s applying. Tessa says she probably will major in art history, playwriting or English.

“I would like to stay backstage all my life," she said. "You couldn’t pay me enough money to be onstage."

The professional stage is exactly where Heather Robb and Jason Hill intend to head after college. Both are appearing in "Marvin’s Room." Heather plays Bessie, who is dying of cancer but keeps telling relatives, "I have a vitamin deficiency." To add a touch of realism to the show she will shave her head so she looks like she lost her hair during chemotherapy treatments.

Chipman says Heather who recently appeared in a starring role at the Baby Grand, is a natural actress and one of the most talented students he ever has taught.

Hill and Andy Riley perform as Hank and Charlie, Bessie’s nephews. A senior, Hill will major in theater in college.

"I love acting," he said. "It’s my favorite thing to do in the world."

The role of Bessie’s feuding sister is played by Lauren Ziegler, who created props for a previous play.

"It’s a lot different from being backstage," she said. "It’s a lot of fun, and I’m learning a lot, too." Lauren will attend Middlebury College. She doesn’t intend to major in theater but says she probably will perform in college plays.

Jenna Douglas, a junior, plays the demented 70-year-old Aunt Ruth. “She has some of the best lines in the show," said Tessa. Douglas also is considering a major in theater.

James Cleare appears as Dr. Wally, whom he describes as "somewhat a comic-relief character." A singer who also plays piano and guitar, James will enroll at Berklee College of Music. James recruited his sister, Emily, a Tatnall sophomore, to work on sets.

"I really enjoy it," she said.

Also performing are Kevin Hill, Matt Smallheer and Rob Dun.

"Marvin's Room" is a story about an estranged family and its conflicts in dealing with Bessie's cancer. It follows a comedy, "Moon Over Buffalo," produced last year.

"The play deals with family issues that sometimes you don't want to deal with, but they do it in an intelligent way," said Tessa.

"Our plays are chosen for their inherent challenges to both actors and audience," said Chipman. "We select only plays that will allow for innovative lighting and set design. Often, the plays have been edgy, risky, not typical high school plays - like 'Elephant Man,' 'Sweeney Todd' and 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.'"

Lighting and set design are taught by Rich Neidig, technical director for the Grand Opera House. Carpentry skills - including building furniture - and electrical wiring are among the skills Neidig introduces.

Assisting Chipman are English teachers Chandler Collison and Rosemary Crawford and guidance coulselor Tom McManus. Crawford, a Tatnall alumna and Showcase veteran, will direct a musical at Tatnall in the spring. Teacher Robin Chipman, Bruce's wife is in charge of hair and makeup for "Marvin's Room."

The late Victor Clarke started Showcase at the school 40 years ago. Bruce Chipman took it over in 1973 and followed with a production of "Guys and Dolls."