Back by popular demand, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” will be returning to Blair Hall Theatre to spread holiday cheer.
The production, having already sold out in some showings, features an all-Sinclair cast. Opening day is December 16, while the production will run until December 19. The evening Friday, the Sign Language interpreted show and the Saturday feature are already sold out. Earlier showings may be available.
Shows are sometimes open to both Sinclair and community members, but this holiday season Sinclair will be showcasing its own talent.
Gina Kleesattel, guest director, was first hired to direct “Spamalot” by Gina Neuerer, Chair of the Theatre, Music and Dance Department for last semester’s theatre line-up.
“Last year we did ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ and it was brand new,” Kleesattel said. “Then it was so popular, so we were going to do it every three years, but Neuerer decided to do it again so I said I’m on board.”
Kleesattel teaches drama and stage management at School for Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati, along with directing various plays in Cincinnati and at the University of Dayton.
Auditions were held in October of this year, and features a new cast. Like the familiar TV holiday special, some members of the audience will “know every word,” according to Kleesattel.
“The interesting thing about doing this is that the dialogue is exactly the dialogue from the TV special. While we’re working towards the audience expectations, you also want to make sure your own personality is involved into it. Finding that balance is really fun to see what the [actors] bring to the role, while also giving them what the audience expects,” Kleesattel said.
The Theatre Department is chalked full of talent, according to Kleesattel. She said she was “stunned” the first time she had the opportunity to work with the theatre students.
“I love the students at Sinclair. They’re energetic and fearless,” Kleesattel said. “I don’t think Dayton is aware of Sinclair productions as much as they should be.”
Marley Judd, who plays Frieda, said the rehearsal schedule is rigorous, working Monday through Thursday for about five hours a day, but she’s “thrilled” to be in the show.
“We put the show together in a little over a month,” Judd said. “It’s a fun show to begin with—we all do the same dancing that our characters do in the actual TV show.”.
Some of the cast had an additional talent to learn. As well as worrying about lines and stage markers, measuring your pitch and intonation, many members had to learn to rollerskate.
Chelsea Overman, who plays Violet, aims to “do it justice” for “A Charlie Brown Christmas’” fiftieth anniversary.
The Theatre Department offers not only certificate and education opportunities but practical applications and experience for those interested in the Performing Arts.
Overman and Judd said they are both excited for the curtain to be drawn. “I have been dancing for 21 years, so the whole [performing quality] has been in me, so [performing has always been what I wanted to do,” Overman said.
Rudd, who grew up as a part of her community theatre, plans to continue her studies in the field after graduating Sinclair. “I looked into [Sinclair] to get my associate’s and some experience before I transfer to Wright State–it’s a really great theatre program here,” said Rudd.
Sinclair was the first Theatre Department to offer Shadow Interpreting with their production of Quid Pro Quo. The addition of Shadow Interpreting has added another dimension to the performance.
“It’s been a challenge because there are more people onstage, it’s a little different, but it’s actually really cool because you’re incorporating a different audience,” Rudd said.
Shadow interpreting differs from traditional interpretation in performance because instead of being on the sides of the performance—away from the cast and the elements of the show, they are on stage moving with the cast.
“Now the [deaf audience members] can be like, ‘oh that’s my favorite character and I can look at you,’” Overman said.
In the show, all the main characters have their own shadow interpreter. Although it is the interpreting cast’s first time shadow interpreting, the work is a practical part of the practicum for the ASL Department’s Interpreting career path.
The interpreting cast rehearses every night with the speaking cast. A shadow interpreter does more than what most people would think an interpreter does, according to Laura Wild, shadow interpreter for Lucy.
“There is a little bit of acting involved. We need to emulate the character that we are interpreting for. We have to learn their mannerisms,” Wild said.
Kathleen Fritz, shadow interpreter for Charlie, hopes that the shadow interpretation creates an equal experience for both the hearing and the deaf audiences.
“I would hope the audience sees the beauty of sign language on a stage, since it is not often seen…but also the other way around for the deaf student onstage and being able to be emerged in the character for once,” Fritz said.
Amy Sabin provides the shadow interpretations for minor characters. Sabin hopes the audience sees how great the production is for both the hearing and deaf.
“Two different departments–the Theatre and the ASL Departments have come together to make something beautiful and can be enjoyed. It’s great to be a part of it,” Laura said.
Amy Sabin, shadow interpreter, said she didn’t expect to enjoy the process of theatre interpreting as much as she has done in the past month.
“We’ve been practicing every night with [the actors], so we’ve developed the character with them,” Sabin said. “Thankfully the Theatre Department has been willing to walk us through this process step by step,” Fritz added.
Wild said she hopes the audiences sees how great of an experience is is for both the hearing and the deaf.
“ Two different departments, the ASL and Theatre Department have come together to make something beautiful, and that can be enjoyed,” Wild said.
Erin Waldon, who plays Lucy, said “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is “really cute and fun, especially for the children.”
Kleesattel said the show is about sharing the fun with family and friends, while Judd and Overman said it’s simply about pure magic and happiness.
“You’ll feel a sense of magic because it’s a show we have all grown up with, so it’s really cool to see people performing it onstage,” Judd said.
For more information about the “A Charlie Brown Christmas” visit sinclair.edu/ticket.
Gabrielle Sharp
Executive Editor
Barton Kleen
Managing Editor