College of Fine and Applied Arts

The Department of Theatre and Dance at Appalachian State University will present a studio theatre production of “And Other Stories,” a new play by John Crutchfield, Nov.1-4.Performances are at 8 p.m. in I. G. Greer Studio Theatre on campus.

Tickets are $4 for all seats. For tickets or more information, call the Valborg Theatre Box office at 262-3063 weekdays from 2-5 p.m.

Crutchfield is a member of the faculty in Appalachian’s Department of English, where he has taught advanced playwriting and drama studies. He currently is on leave pursuing off-campus scholarly work.

He is a founding member of Blue Shift Theatre Ensemble, with whom he worked from 1994-2002. In 2004, he co-founded Jynormous Theatre Company with actor Julia Horn. His verse plays “Brother John,” “Ruth” and “The Songs of Robert” have received regional productions, as have as several shorter works, including “On the House,” “Going Home,” “Solstice” and “Trinity.”

Set in fictional “Watachatooga County” in North Carolina, “And Other Stories” is quirky, poignant and hilariously absurd as it tells the story of a solitary man’s unusual search for God in his hometown.

The production is directed by theatre faculty member Joel Williams. Senior theatre performance major Luke Aeschleman is assistant director. Holly Shuffler is stage manager. The ensemble cast includes students James Houston, Jordan Lance, Joe Carroll, Kerry Dunlap,    Amie Russo, Corley May, Anna Gettles, Kelsey Head and Rachel McCrain.

Theatre faculty member Paulette Marty is the dramaturge for the production, assisting the playwright and the director with the development of the work. While both the director and assistant director had a hand in shaping the blocking of the play, dance faculty member Susan Lutz is working as movement consultant for the project.

The project is part of the Department of Theatre and Dance’s mission to develop new plays. This is the third Crutchfield play on which the department has collaborated.

“The beginning of the process was very meticulous. Paulette, Joel and John all listened for places that could be cut, reworded or expanded, using rehearsals as experiments to find the right balance,” Aeschleman said about development of the new play.

“Paulette always had the audience in mind, making sure the dramatic structure and ideas would be clear. John listened intently, scratching furiously in his script, finding where things could be funnier, where lines didn’t make sense, where the script makes a character stand out. Joel found himself examining what the play means, finding the emotional moments and mapping the ‘voyage’ of the play.”

Cadets from Appalachian State University’s ROTC program join others from North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee in the Eastern Region (ROTC) 5th Brigade’s Ranger Challenge held Oct. 27-29 at Fort Jackson, S.C.The event pits 18 schools in a competition aimed at fostering camaraderie and testing individuals’ leadership abilities.

Ranger Challenge features the best cadets from participating schools. It covers eight events–the Army physical fitness test, basic rifle marksmanship, construction and execution of a one-rope bridge, patrolling, weapons assembly, orienteering, hand grenade assault course and a 10K road march.

The focus is not so much about individual achievement as it is about team success. Team scores for most events will be the average of individual performances; other events will be based solely on group times.

At most universities, Ranger Challenge is a varsity sport with a one-game season. Cadets in Army ROTC programs prepare five days a week for approximately eight weeks to compete in the competition that begins at 4 a.m. and ends at 10 p.m.

Last year, three teams from Appalachian participated in the competition. Division 1 took first in the physical fitness and the swimming events and placed fourth overall. Division 2 took first in the “Fit to Win” obstacle course and the M-16 weapon event and placed third overall. Division 3 took first in the commander event (HUMVEE pull) and placed ninth overall.

The Ranger Challenge plays an important role in furthering cadets’ development as leaders and future Army officers, Eastern Region Commander Col. Robert Frusha said.

Dr. J. Mark Estepp, professor and dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts at Appalachian State University, is one of four leaders named to the Board of Directors for the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library in High Point. 

“We are pleased to have four outstanding leaders join the Board: Mark Estepp, Tim McGee, Amy Kyle and Naaman Wei,” said Mr. J. Thomas Gooding, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “Each of these are well respected for their contributions to the home furnishings industry and we are fortunate to have their participation, insights, and vision for the future of the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library.” 

One of the eight departments within the College of Fine and Applied Arts at Appalachian is the Technology Department, which is responsible for the Furniture Design and Interior Design Programs.

“ASU has produced a significant number of leaders in the furniture industry, and Mark Estepp is regularly in touch with his furniture alumni to understand their needs in our ever-changing industry,” said Gooding. “In that regard, ASU, under Estepp’s leadership, is looking at enhancing their Furniture Design curriculum with an ever greater emphasis on design and product development.”

The Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library is a research resource for furniture manufacturers, furniture designers, interior designers, students, and to anyone interested in the history of furniture. The Library is a non-profit educational foundation and house one of the most comprehensive collections of volumes on the history of furniture.  The collection encompasses significant volumes published since 1640 and includes a complete collection of original works of 18^th century furniture masters Chippendale, Sheraton and Hepplewhite. The Library also has current publications for sale to the public.  In addition to the research collection and the sale of publications, the Library’s scholarship program has provided over $190,000.00 in grants to students studying pursuing degrees in furniture related programs.

Advising for the Department of Communication runs from October 24 through November 17. Majors should sign up online for an appointment with their advisor. Starting October 23rd, a link will appear when you log in to AppalNET that will allow you to schedule an appointment with your advisor.

The North Carolina Dance Festival will be presented by Appalachian State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance Oct. 26-28 at 8 p.m. in Valborg Theatre. Each evening will feature different work from professional dance troupes and student and faculty choreographers and dancers.For tickets and information, call the Valborg Theatre Box Office at 262-3063 or visit www.dance.appstate.edu.

This year’s visiting artists include The Jan Van Dyke Dance Group and the John Gamble Dance Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 26, E.E. Balcos, Duane Cyrus and Amy Pierce on Friday, Oct. 27, and Rodger Belman, Carol Kyles Finley and Justin Tornow on Saturday, Oct. 28.

The Appalachian Dance Ensemble will perform a number of new works in the festival as well. “Baby’s Black Balloon,” choreographed by dance student Laura Peiffer, will explore the dichotomy of confinement versus freedom through movements of tension and release. The choreography uses abstract movement symbolizing balloons and strings to represent being confined to earth and our attempts to resist being tethered.

“Hanging Upside Down” is a group work choreographed by dance faculty member Marianne Adams. The piece blends choreographed phrases with structured improvisation to create a sense of “liveness” on stage. Each night, the order and content of the improvised structures will be randomly chosen. Adams, the dancers, percussionist Shawn Roberts, costumer Sue Williams and lighting designer John Marty have collaborated on the improvisational elements in the piece.

“For Four” was choreographed by dance faculty member Emily Daughtridge in collaboration with Appalachian’s Mariam Cannon Hayes School of Music. This dance for four women draws on a classically inspired movement vocabulary. The work is accompanied by the music of Manuel de Falla as played by two music faculty: classical guitarist Douglas James and violist Eric Koontz.

“Inbodied” was choreographed and will be performed by dance faculty members Rebecca Quin and Holly Roark to music by Barefoot Manner. The dance explores a sensual quality of movement.

“…unto the clouds.” was choreographed by dance student Celia Thurman to music by the Cranberries. This uplifting dance incorporates large pieces of fabric with which the dancers interact as they explore the driving energy behind exuberance and the calm and serenity of surrender.