"Pippin," or My First Experience Doing Community Theater

Kristen Ritter is one of our wonderful, smiling ticket sellers at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts CenterTix box office. In addition to helping you find a great seat at your next performance, Kristen is part of Theatre Artists United’s current production of “Pippin” running March 21-30. For tickets, visit www.CenterTix.net.

My name is Kristen Ritter and I work at the PAC which stands for Penguin Advisory Committee.  Just kidding, it stands for Pelican Advisory Committee; penguins generally have their act together.  

One of the great things about working at the PAC is that I can see all the amazing shows that come through our theaters and, after watching some of the most talented, consummate performers I have ever witnessed, I found myself thinking what any logical person would think:  I should do that.  So I decided to audition for Pippin.

The process was nerve wracking and when I actually made it into the cast as Lead Chorus Member (even though they keep telling me “that’s not a thing” and “you’re just a chorus member” and “stop standing on your chair like that during vocal warm ups”), I was ecstatic.  I texted my brother who has been the star of multiple Theatre Artists United productions in the past.  “I’M IN PIPPIN!!! WHO’S THE HOT SHOT NOW????!!??” I wrote, to which he replied: “did you take my ipod?”

Soon, rehearsals began. The dance rehearsals were extremely fun despite the fact that I often demonstrated the kind of coordination and motor skills more commonly associated with newborn giraffes or, you know, jello.  Blocking was easier because blocking is theater for standing and I’m pretty good at that. 

During this time, I also took on the duties of “rehearsal manager.”  Since I had never been a rehearsal manager before, nor even heard of such a thing, I wasn’t exactly sure what to do.  Occasionally I took roll call and when someone was not at practice I would leave lengthy, vaguely threatening messages vis-à-vis the safety of their family on their voicemail in an Italian accent.  It wasn’t a bad gig.

Then we were into tech week.  The costumes came together.  A local girl scout troop generously made all our dynamite (presumably for their explosives and pyrotechnics badge).  We found an excellent crate to play the role of “Crate.”  Most of my time was spent in the actor’s lounge eating cookies.

Tech week was also when I tried to ramp up the marketing.  A lot of my marketing involved telling people what Pippin is about, since I have scientifically deduced that no one outside the cast has ever heard of it.  In case you’re wondering, it’s about a young Russian boy who, unable to use his powers of necromancy to raise a beloved duck from the grave, is overcome with guilt and resorts to a life of exile in a small village where he eventually gets really good at choreographing farm chores to music.  If you’re thinking this is an overdone plot, let me assure you we put our own spin on this old favorite.

And then, before I knew it, we were opening.  Reflecting over the past nine weeks, I can’t believe how much I’ve learned.  

For example, I learned new vocabulary such as “artistic choice,” which is when you forget your lines and have to make up entirely new ones or, in my case, when you could not get the military uniform off in time during the quick change and now have to walk on stage wearing a dress over army fatigues and carrying someone else's prop (or something that looked like a prop in the dim light of the side stage but now just looks like an important piece of lighting equipment).

Most importantly I learned to always be conscious of where the dancers are, especially when they are doing their fouettés en tournant, which is a French phrase that means “get the hell out of the way.”

All in all, it's been an absolutely incredible experience and I hope everyone has a chance to come see Pippin.  Maybe afterwards, if you’re lucky, you can get the Lead Chorus Member to sign your program.

(In all seriousness, I’ve had so much fun being a part of this production.  I’m proud of the opportunities local artists have and I’m grateful for the professional space we have to perform in.)

I'd Like to Welcome You to "RAW: The Journey"

The Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, as you might imagine, employs many very talented and creative people, often who are involved in a variety of artistic endeavors throughout the community. Josette Serrill, the Center’s new Web and Systems Manager, is one of our talented employees, who has had a passion for dance since her youth, and is now  a company dancer for Underground Dance Company Hardcore, when she is not working hard on our website www.MyAlaskaCenter.com! Below, she tells us about UDC’s upcoming production.

Josette Serrill on far left with two fellow UDC dancers

Underground Dance Company Hardcore is presenting RAW, which stands for “Real Attitude Within,” designed to take the audience on a reflective journey of the past to gain a clearer understanding of the love, work and struggle that each individual has gone through to get to where they currently stand.

The journey begins with an empty stage and a lone voice.

“Hello.

I’d like to welcome you to RAW: The Journey.

You don’t know who I am.

Let me give you some insight into my experiences.

What makes me who I am, the details of my journey.

As you sit there, focus on my story,

As I tell you my thoughts,

As I show you my experiences.

Reflect on them and discover who I am.”

The script continues throughout the show as the dancers take the audience on a journey that every person can relate to at some point in their lives. The following are selected excerpts of the show script. Each dancer has been asked to respond with how they interpret each story they will be telling on stage this weekend. 

Sound is what drives me, especially the sound of victory.

“Music and sound is how I express myself. How I share my success, sadness and joy.”

With the support from the people who know me best, who accept me, I go out in the world and, regardless of what society thinks, I express my real attitude within.

“Being the youngest sibling and only girl, I felt lost in figuring out who I was. I always tried to follow in my brothers' steps, picking their careers and life choices and it always led to failure. It wasn’t until I found my passion and talent for dance that I truly felt like I had an identity. I express myself through movement. It’s the language I use to communicate.” 

I share a passion with the people I surround myself with. I’m committed to them as they are to me. I look to these people for wisdom, support, and encouragement. We are Family.

“I think of [our] crew. A group of people that come together, not only for performance and technique, but for friendships and lasting memories. Hardcore has gone through so much together over the years. No matter what, we come together as a crew and support each other and, most of all, have fun dancing.”

Be prepared for high energy dance, extravagant costumes, and a reflective journey through your past with RAW: The Journey. Tickets are currently available for this performance at the Dena’ina Center March 7th and 8^th. 

by ACPA employee Josette Serrill, a member of Underground Dance Company Hardcore