Kent, OH – Porthouse Theatre, Kent State University’s summer professional theatre, recently held its inaugural Porthouse International Academy. Sixteen students and one faculty member from South Korea’s SangMyung University participated in the comprehensive theatre experience.
Kent, OH – School of Theatre and Dance alumnus Dylan Ratell made his Broadway debut June 1 in "Chicago" at New York's Ambassador Theatre. Ratell, a 2014 graduate of Kent State's musical theatre program, portrayed Mary Sunshine in the national tour of the production this spring. Following his Broadway debut, Ratell joined the production's international tour in Seoul, South Korea. A native of Bay City, Michigan, Ratell began his performance career at Kent State when he played Mary Sunshine in Porthouse Theatre's production of "Chicago" in 2011.
47th season features productions of “A Little Night Music,” “Violet” and “Hairspray”
Porthouse Theatre, Kent State University’s outdoor, summer theatre located on the grounds of Blossom Music Center, will celebrate its 47th season with productions of “A Little Night Music,” “Violet” and “Hairspray.”
Porthouse Theatre will present "Violet" July 9-25.
Directed by Steven C. Anderson, “Violet” opens July 10 and runs through July 25. A preview performance will take place on July 9. A musical of transformation, “Violet” chronicles a young disfigured woman’s journey of self-discovery as she seeks the healing touch of an evangelical preacher in the 1960s Deep South. Music is by Jeanine Tesori and lyrics and book are by Brian Crawley. Performances are July 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 at 8pm and July 12 and 19 at 2pm.
Porthouse Theatre's 2015 season will open with Stephen Sondheim's "A Little Night Music."
Directed by Sean Morrissey, “A Little Night Music” opens June 12 and runs through June 27. A preview performance will take place on June 11. With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, “A Little Night Music” explores the romantic web that entangles actress Desiree Armfeldt as she moves through 1900 Swedish society. Performances are June 11,12, 13,16,17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 at 8pm and June 14 and 21 at 2pm.
Alumnus Dylan Ratell, a 2014 graduate with a BFA in Musical Theatre, has joined the national Equity tour of Chicago The Musical in the role of Mary Sunshine. Ratell previously portrayed Mary Sunshine in Porthouse Theatre's 2011 production of Chicago. The tour stars John O'Hurley as Billy Flynn and will perform across the United States and in Canada.
Porthouse Theatre has launched a $1 million capital campaign that will provide a number of significant improvements including a new box office, expanded bathrooms and customer service area, a new roof for the theatre, and a new parking lot. Thanks to a generous donation of $250,000 from the Gregory Hackett Family Foundation, the capaign will coincide with Porthouse Theatre's 50th Anniversary Season in 2018.
Kent, OH – The Cleveland Critics Circle recently honored Porthouse Theatre, Kent State University’s outdoor, summer theatre on the grounds of Blossom Music Center, with several awards for accomplishments during the 2014 season. The Cleveland Critics Circle Awards recognize outstanding Cleveland area productions, performers, directors and designers who contribute to the professional theatre scene.
Kent State University associate professor S.Q. Campbell won the top prize for Best Costume Design for “My Fair Lady,” produced June 12-28, 2014.
Kent, OH – BroadwayWorld Cleveland has recognized Porthouse Theatre with multiple nominations for productions that took place in the summer of 2014. Nominations for the awards are submitted by BroadwayWorld readers and verified by the BroadwayWorld Cleveland editorial team.
Porthouse Theatre received the following nine nominations:
Porthouse producing artistic director and professor Terri Kent is nominated for Best Director of a Musical in the Guest Artist Theatre category for her direction of Oliver!
47th season features productions of “A Little Night Music,” “Violet” and “Hairspray”
Alumnus Dylan Ratell, a 2014 graduate with a BFA in Musical Theatre, has joined the national Equity tour of Chicago The Musical in the role of Mary Sunshine. Ratell previously portrayed Mary Sunshine in Porthouse Theatre's 2011 production of Chicago. The tour stars John O'Hurley as Billy Flynn and will perform across the United States and in Canada.
