Once Every 25 Years...

A new and exciting thing is occurring in the McCarthy Arts Center at Saint Mike's! 

What you ask?

NEW SEATS! 

Over Christmas break, new seats will be put in both the Recital Hall and Mainstage space. One of the really cool things is that the seats were being taken apart during finals week and we could stop by and check out what was happening. Naturally I took some pictures. 

Final image of the old seats

The Recital Hall empty - while a band practices!

One of the MOST AWESOME THINGS (definitely a QUIRK AND PERK!) that could have possibly happened was that we could take the seats! They were just going to be recycled and it was our opportunity to have a piece of McCarthy history! This was particularly interesting to me since I wrote my History thesis on the Saint Michael's Playhouse, now housed in McCarthy. I had also spent most of my time at Saint Mike's roughly in the Mainstage working on the play, during class, or during the summer season of Playhouse. These seats have been in the building since it's opening in 1976. It'll be great to have an update for my last semester here at Saint Mike's!

The man of the hour: Richie!

I do have to thank one of my best friends Richie for helping me to get the seats from McCarthy to my townhouse. He offered his car and services to and from the theater and my house. Even slipping on ice didn't stop this guy. I am forever grateful to have a friend like him, for other reasons included. :)

Be sure to check back for an update once I return to SMC! Everything will be bright, shiny, and new!

Katelyn :)

"Break a Leg!" The Early History of Saint Michael's Playhouse as a Regional Summer Theatre: Thesis Presentation!

Many things have happened already in December that are making it a pretty great month!

One of the most crucial events, particularly to my education, is that I finished and presented my thesis! I had the task of writing a 40-page thesis by December 7th, when I would present on my topic. You can check out the presentation below, recorded by the wonderful Alex! She's the best - she even picked out my outfit thank goodness!

Here's me presenting on my topic: An Early History of Saint Michael's Playhouse. Enjoy!

One of the great things about my thesis in History was that I was able to combine my interests in Theatre, my other major. Choosing Saint Michael's Playhouse, which I interned last summer with, enabled me to look further into the background of how the SMP originated. It's also great to see how far the theatre has come. I will also be lucky enough to intern with Chuck Tobin, the artistic director of the SMP!

My parents, my faith family, friends, and classmates were there to support me and I was so overjoyed that so many people were there to appreciate my hard work! It paid off and I received an A- on my thesis! I am more than satisfied and grateful that my efforts proved a great result! 

Working on this project demonstrated to me that I was capable of producing such a work of large size. While looking at graduate schools, I've been noticing that a similar piece of work is necessary for the capstone of those projects. I now know that I can do it! While daunting while it's happening, you definitely feel accomplished afterwards. It's a great feeling!

It also makes Christmas break that much more enjoyable! Be sure to be on the lookout for more blog posts about my semester wrap-up, what I'll be doing this break, and what's next!
Wishing you and yours a very merry Winter Solstice, (shortest day of the year!)
Katelyn :)