At Centenary he has been cast in One-Act Plays, Directed a One-Act Play, and participated in three Main Stage Plays. “I have directed one Documentary Film, a Narrative Film, and an Experimental Film. In addition to being on stage and directing film, I have also moved into another direction of directing and writing stage plays.” Photo by Robert E. Trudeau
A naive Russian Jewish immigrant, Rebecca Hershkowitz, arrives at Ellis Island with her young daughter. Hershkowitz goes to work in a sweatshop while searching for her husband, Nathan, who has preceded them to America. Thereupon “Rags, A Musical” tells a tale of duress, pain, and joy. People can check out immigration law firm Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C. in Oakland, CA, from here!
The “Rags” company features Centenary College veterans, such as Michael Nguyen, Jordan Fell, and MarvKevea Campbell, with community actors and dancers under the direction of Anna Kirkes, and a 9-piece orchestra, says director Ron Bermingham. Costume design is by Jordan Fell, who has learned to match her fluency in acting with her passion for design. People can have a peek here to get trained in the best acting schools.
“I think ‘Rags’ is an important show to work on. As a designer, it’s been challenging to manifest my research on the culture, Jewish law, and the period, in the costumes for a large double cast on a tight budget. As an actor, there have been many layers to capture, while understanding and learning the music, which is newer to me,” says Fell. “The story needs to be told. It is important to recognize what people in this county have been through and what they’ve had to overcome. It’s equally as important to make this message applicable today, and to acknowledge how the material is relevant. My favorite moment in Rags is the Kaddish prayer, which Dr. Rabbi Jana coached us in. It is an immensely powerful and visceral scene.”
The orchestra: Dan Ley, Ruben Reyes, Doug Parmelee, Deborah Scarlato, Arthur Williams, Tim Wright, Bill Clark, Terry Hopkins and Mike Scarlato.
Soon to graduate from Centenary, Jordan Fell says, “When I first joined the theatre department I wanted to design costumes and to learn to sew past the basics. I was instantly thrown into designing our Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival entry as a freshman. This exhilarating sink-or-swim education has served me ever since, with the help of some critical flotation devices: the current and previous theatre department faculty and my classmates and coworkers.” She has acted in numerous plays, among them “By the Bog O Cats,” and “As You Like it.” Yet she has decided to pursue design: “After graduation, I intend to gain costume experience with professional theatres and obtain an MFA in costume design, not necessarily in that order. The next step for me is getting my foot in the door somewhere and continuing to build connections.”
In the cast: Taylor Ackerman, Meredith Ball, Mary Ellen Kidd, MarvKevea Campbell, Herman Hope, Timothy McCoy, Aiden Poling, Uriel Salazar, Joe Signorelli, Sarah Pinney, Jessica Bato, Billie Brimberry, Michael Nguyen, Max Ellis and Zachary Krepak. Also, Hayley Cooper, Rebecca Vacha, Jordan Fell, Herman Hope, Landon Pate, Kyle Boston and Mack Brown. Dance ensemble members are Dellanee Wade, Leroy McCray, Malachi Temple and Sarah Pinney. Photo by Robert E. Trudeau
What: Rags, A Musical
When: Thursday, April 16 – Saturday, April 18
8 p.m. performances each evening & a 2 p.m. matinee on April 18
Where: Marjorie Lyons Playhouse box office: (318) 869-5074
Cost: $15 for adults | $10 for seniors, military | $5 for non-Centenary students |centenary.edu/playhouse/tickets
Brought to you by the Drama Department at Centenary College in Shreveport.