Last Two Shows of "Rent" Tonight and Tomorrow

For Immediate Release

Contact: Dan Niederberger, dniederb11@stac.edu

RENT- A PLAY BY ST. THOMAS AQUINAS COLLEGE

St. Thomas Aquinas College and the Laetare Players present “Rent” tonight and tomorrow at the college’s Sullivan Theater. “Rent” is a story about eight friends living in New York City’s East Village during the bohemian time of the 1980’s-1990. Many of the characters struggle with HIV/AIDS, prejudice, and poverty. During the experience they learn many lessons about life, love and self-identity.

This play is directed by STAC junior Dan Niederberger. The stars of the show (and their characters) are:

Matt Cavallo- Mark Cohen (narrator of the play, aspiring film-maker who never leaves his house without his camera)

Jacob Rothman- Roger Davis (a once successful, now struggling musician. He is HIV positive and wants to write one more good song before he dies)

Stephanie Costantino- Mimi Marquez (works in a strip club, heroin addict, HIV positive)

Rohan Lawrence- Tom Collins (gay computer genius who was expelled from MIT. He is also HIV positive)

This performance, which opened Thursday, is in the Sullivan Theater on the St. Thomas Aquinas campus at 8 p.m., April 10 and April 11. St. Thomas Aquinas College is at 125 Route 340, Sparkill, NY. Phone: 845-398-4100.

For reservations call 845-398-4144 or email at Laetare@stac.edu. Tickets are $8 for students and seniors, $10 for adults.

-- Dylan Bestler

"Rent" on Tap at STAC's Sullivan Theater

For  Immediate Release

Contact: Ashley Liporace
St. Thomas Aquinas College 
Tel: 845-398-4000

"Rent" Opens Tonight at Saint Thomas Aquinas College

The Laetare Players at Saint Thomas Aquinas College are preparing for opening night of their spring musical. For three nights, starting this evening, they will perform the Broadway musical “Rent.” Shows dates are April 9, 10 and 11 at 8 pm. Tickets are sold at the Romano Student Center, located on campus, until Thursday. Pricing is $8 for students and seniors and $10 for adults, or three adult tickets for $25. Shows will be held on campus in Sullivan Theater. St. Thomas Aquinas College is at 125 Route 340, Sparkill, NY.

The cast has been working hard for the past few months to put on this famous musical. Just like Broadway musicals, there will be a live band playing the music. New sets have been designed especially for this year. More of the stage will be used than in any other musicals performed by the Laetares.  “Rent” has two directors this year: Danny Niederberger, a STAC junior, assisted by Professor Evan Matthews, the performing arts professor at the college. Niederberger will also be acting in the musical.

Students who live on and off campus as well as adults are encouraged to support the Laetare Players on the three nights the show is on. Some professors are willing to give extra credit to their students if they go see the show. Caution, the content of the musical may not be suitable for children under the age of thirteen. There are references to drugs and sexual content within the play.

The Laetare Players are a club at Saint Thomas Aquinas College. Every school year they perform a drama, which takes place in the fall, and a musical in the spring.

-- Ashley Liporace

STAC Laetare Players Present "Rent"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saint Thomas Aquinas College

Contact Evan Matthews or Dave Eng:
ematthews@stac.edu
deng@stac.edu

STAC PRESENTS “RENT” AT SULLIVAN THEATER APRIL 9, 10, 11

Sparkill, NY -- Saint Thomas Aquinas College's Laetare Players present “Rent” on Thursday, April 9,  Friday, April 10, and Saturday, April 11. All shows will begin at 8 pm. The play will be in Sullivan Theater at STAC and all are invited to attend the show. Tickets will be sold at the Romano Student Alumni Center. Admission for students are $8, adults $10, and the bundle price for a purchase of 3 tickets is $25.  For more information and tickets, contact Evan Matthews or Dave Eng at ematthews@stac.edu or deng@stac.edu.

The rock opera, directed by STACer Daniel Niederberger, shows the struggles of a group of friends, and it takes place in the East Village, New York City. The story is centered around roommates Mark and Roger. Tragedy has hit Roger, which has made him numb emotionally. Mark wants to capture it by producing a film. The bohemian group lives in  modern day age New York City, while dealing with loss, love, and terminal illnesses like AIDS.

Saint Thomas Aquinas College is located at 125 Route 340, Sparkill, NY 10976. For travel directions and other information: http://www.stac.edu/  

-- Alexandra Kezek

Ellen Page Speaks Out for Gays

Ellen Page at Time to Thrive Conference

By Alexandra Kezek

Oscar-nominated film star Ellen Page presented her coming out speech at the Human Rights Campaign's Time to Thrive Conference in Las Vegas on February 14, 2014. Time to Thrive is an event hosted by the Human Rights Campaign in partnership with the American Counseling Association, to help promote the safety and well being of LGBT youth. A member of the Human Rights Campaign, she is admired for the campaign’s work. Her trembling voice brought comfort to those who listened as she delivered her passionate speech, wearing a Time to Thrive shirt in support of the campaign.

She starts her speech regarding the pressure of being famous. The fashion industry  places high standards on people and creates the idea in youth’s minds of what beauty and success are. Ellen Page, 27 at the time, talks about an instance where she was ridiculed for her clothing choices (she was wearing sweatpants while running errands) on gossip websites and how that affected her. Because she is a celebrity, tabloids follow her and are ready to exploit lies for publicity. Social norms are put in place that pressure people to conformity, and if one does not follow conformity, than one is scrutinized. Ellen Page states her stance on bullying and judgements:

this world would be a whole lot better if we just made an effort to be less horrible to one another. If we took just five minutes to recognize each other’s beauty instead of attacking each other for our differences—that’s not hard, it’s really an easier and better way to live. And ultimately, it saves lives.

She continues her speech as she shows comfort to all people, and talks about how suicide is a serious epidemic. It affects all people, which can be deterred if people come together for the good of others. She states that people should live without shame of who they are.
     
Ellen Page’s goal is to promote love and equality. She delivered a thank you message to former Minnesota Golden Gophers player Michael Sam, and to Laverne Cox, transgender actor in the Netflix series “Orange is the New Black,” for their courage of coming out, expressing themselves, and continuing to be successful.

I’m here today because I am gay. And because… maybe I can make a difference. To help others have an easier and more hopeful time. Regardless, for me, I feel a personal obligation and a social responsibility. I also do it selfishly, because I am tired of hiding and I am tired of lying by omission.

The moment she stated “I am gay,” Ellen Page received two standing ovations as she became emotional from happiness. Her speech reached to social media sites like Twitter and Tumblr, with much positive feedback from fans and celebrities. Anna Kendrick tweeted “Congrats to you, your light, talent, and beauty.” Ellen Page is appreciated for her talent and courage. She regarded the heartfelt speech as a social responsibility. The eight minute speech had a lasting impact on the campaign; Ellen ended her speech with a big smile, saying “Happy Valentines Day, I love you.”   

Making the Cut: From Underdog to International Rugby Star

Corrine Heavner in Rugby action

By Alexandra Kezek

Corrine Heavner, age 19, is a dedicated Rugby player at Pennsylvania (Penn) State College. Corrine has played rugby for 15 years and with the help of her family and talented coaches, she has succeeded in attending her first choice college and has won various tournaments throughout the country and world. When asked what her favorite memory is, of course it has to do with rugby!

In December of 2014, Corrine was chosen to play in an international tournament in Tobago. The selected rugby team’s name was the “Stars.” Three months prior to the tournament, she traveled to Arkansas to tryout. Men and women ages 19 through 31 were competing to make the teams to travel to Tobago, Corinne being the youngest.

AK: “What team were you trying out for?”

Corrine: “I was originally going to tryout for the Atlantis team, they are an amazing team with great dynamics. I was at first disappointed that I did not make the team, but I was thankful I was chosen to play in the tournament for the Stars team.”

The tournament had players from different areas of the world, such as the United States, Canada, and South America. Corinne only knew one person on her trip to Tobago for the 3 day tournament. The award for the winning team was $8,000.

AK: “Was there anything different about this tournament compared to other tournaments you participated in?"

Corinne: “The playing time was reduced to 14 minutes, just like how the professionals play.”

AK: “What was the outcome of the tournament?”

Corinne: “It was so challenging but we ended up winning the tournament and the boys Stars team won as well! Each team won $8,000. We were all so proud of each other because we were the underdog team. The boys and girls Atlantis teams are tough teams to compete against, they beat us in the first round but we came back and won! Also, since the playing time was so short, every second counted and no mistakes could be made.”

Before Tobago, Corinne used social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to reach out to family and friends to help her raise money to get to Tobago. She had a great turn out in donations, many of her friends aided in her cause and old professors from her previous high school, Albertus Magnus, kindly donated.

AK: “Why would you say this is your favorite memory in your rugby career?”

Corinne: “It was an amazing memory and experience because I originally really wanted to make it on the Atlantis team, but I worked really hard to pull through with the Stars. It was never about winning for me but knowing how hard we worked to make the winning title made it so much better. I’m glad I had this opportunity, I made great friends that I still keep in contact with. Being able to travel to Tobago was amazing, it is really a beautiful place.”

Corinne is currently playing rugby at Penn State and has future plans to travel to compete against other countries.

STAC Alumni Showcase their Work in "Picture it!" Event

By Alexandra Kezek
                   
Professor Winship's Advanced Public Relations class recently held an event in the Romano Student Alumni Center called “Picture It!: Visual Storytelling for the Media.” The March 19 event took place at 7 p.m. and drew an audience of students and professors. Light refreshments were served as well as a networking hour between students and the speakers. The speakers were each in a professional field. And they explained in their presentations how they "pre-visualize" an idea and turn it into a final product.

William Prior, Professor Bill Prior's son, was one of the speakers. He owns his own production company called "Prior Productions." He has produced many music videos and documentaries, as well as commercials. He produced the Orange County Fair commercial in 2013 and 2014. In his presentation, he showed the audience a music video he produced for the band Rise Against The Machine.

He emphasized the importance of detail in his work. Prior stated that every angle makes a difference in video production. If the angle is not right, it can make the focus of the video look awkward and amateurish. He also stated that in filming people, particularly a band, the producer should get to know them to understand their rhythm in order for a music video to be a success.

Ted Gilmartin, a 2014 graduate of STAC who majored in Graphic Design, talked about how he and his brother, Alex, have produced many freelance videos. He explained what it is like to film a commercial from start to finish. A commercial less than a minute can take days to create. The factors that go into making a commercial are significant, like sound effects, color, angles, the scripts, and more.

However, since Ted is a twin, they both have an advantage. Ted described to the audience about the positives of working with his twin brother. They both have similar interests and aid in each others projects, and help act as different characters in each others projects. The twins are still involved in the STAC community, they produced STAC's Fire Safety Video. They are currently still producing and have been filming at live concerts.

Nick Mrnarevic is a STAC graduate from 2002 and is now a professional photographer. Starting his career at MTV, he worked in Production Management and became a professional photographer, he said, by accident. He enjoyed taking pictures but found what he was capable of from practice and requests from clients. He works for various companies like Live Nation, taking photos of professional bands and singers, which can be viewed on the website, livenation.com.

What is especially interesting is that Nick does not have a specific niche in photography. He does landscape, nature, portrait photos, and he photographed Fashion Week in New York City last year. His photography career is 24/7; he is constantly working on new projects.

The audience closely followed each speaker, asking questions regarding their occupations and school careers. Since all the speakers were STAC alumni, they shared the internship opportunities they received while attending STAC.

Making the Cut with a Punk Rock Band

By Alex Romanelli

I interviewed my father who used to be a bass player for the semi-famous punk band the Plasmatics, about a memorable experience he had when he was sixteen. He saw an ad in the local music newspaper, the Village Voice, to audition for a punk rock band. He brought a beat up bass to their rehearsal space in Tribeca; he still remembered the address, 84 Thomas Street.

Back then he couldn't drive, so he took the subway. When he went there, the band was holding auditions. He sat and watched as every other bass player there played before him. He guessed that there were probably 80 people there.  But all the other people who auditioned would only play for like five seconds and then the band would throw them out of the room.

While he was waiting to audition he saw one of his friends, who was normally a guitar player but had his heart set on auditioning for this band’s bass position because he was a big fan of their music; his bass was even garbagier than my father’s. So while they waited, he asked him if he could borrow my Dad’s because he was going first.  He let him borrow it and his friend played for about 20 seconds and then they threw him out and said that he sounded terrible. 

Then it was my Dad’s turn; he got up and they were kind of surprised because they saw “a fat, chubby, 16-year-old kid with broken teeth.” As they started to chuckle he picked up the bass, adjusted a few settings and started playing. It really sounded good, and at the end they told him it sounded sort of like John Entwistle from The Who.  The people holding the audition showed him one song, which he caught onto right away. My father and the band started playing and after grooving for a few minutes, the manager of the band came in and turned the lights off, took a look around and said "you stay."