Moravian College Theatre Company to Perform Original Civil War Play

This weekend, the Moravian College Theatre Company, in collaboration with Touchstone Theatre, will perform  an original play titled A Resting Place by Alison Carey, which concludes the Historic Bethlehem Partnership's commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.

What's it about?

A Resting Place explores the confrontation between Bethlehem's past and present, all centering around the Civil War.  Many of the characters in the play were actual people who lived in Bethlehem during the Civil War and their stories are told through those characters.  Nearly two years of research was conducted in preparation for the play.

The play begins with Civil War entertainer Dan Rice and his traveling show performing in present-day Bethlehem but after being questioned by one of the audience members, Rice and his performers break off from their original performance and instead tell the real story of Bethlehem's Civil War past by bringing to life several of Bethlehem's own.  However, the audience members aren't the only ones who learn something about the past.

Why should you come to see A Resting Place?

First of all, this is definitely not a typical play.  Not only is it set in Bethlehem but several of the characters in the play are based off of actual people who lived in Bethlehem during the Civil War!  Also, the play is performed like an actual traveling show from the 19th century, which means the play will be perform outside and will travel to different locations for each performance.  In addition, the cast and crew consists of over 100 people.

Second, the play features several Moravian students and faculty members, including:

• Alexa Borden '13
• Bridget Bowe '15
• Alanah Cervantes '12
• Jerone Darden '13
• Krystal Dering '15
• Sara Kaskowitz '15
• Gianna Miranda '13
• Addison Rymar '13
• Jazzy Thomas '13
• Dr. Christopher Jones

They have been working hard and rehearsing all semester and you should support them by coming to see the play.

Finally, admission cost is everyone's favorite price...FREE!

What do you need to know?

When and where:  Friday, April 13 at 6 p.m. at the PPHAC patio.

                              Saturday, April 14 at 1 p.m. at the South Bethlehem Greenway (300
                              Mechanic St.).

                              Saturday, April 14 at 6 p.m. outside Lehigh University's Packer Chapel
                              (27 Memorial Dr. West)

                              Sunday, April 15 at 1 p.m. at City Hall Plaza (11 West Church
                              St.). Panel Discussion “Bethlehem’s Civil War History” at 2:45 p.m. at
                              Moravian Museum of Bethlehem’s Gemeinhaus

                             Sunday, April 15 at 6 p.m. at the Colonial Industrial Quarter (459 Old
                             York Rd.)

* In case of inclement weather, performances will be held at the Ice House (56 River St.) one hour later than originally scheduled

Cost:  FREE!

Following most of the performances, there will be a panel discussion/lecture:

• Friday, April 13 at 7:45 p.m. - "How the Civil War Affects Us Today” in the UBC room in HUB
• Saturday, April 14 at 2:45 p.m. - “Building Community Through Theater" at Touchstone Theatre
• Sunday, April 15 at 2:45 p.m. - “Bethlehem’s Civil War History” at Moravian Museum of Bethlehem’s Gemeinhaus
• Sunday, April 15 at 7:45 p.m. -  Guest Lecturer David Kincaid at Central Moravian Church’s Old Chapel

Moravian College Dance Company to Perform their Annual Spring Concert

This Friday and Saturday night, the Moravian College Dance Company will perform their 37th annual spring concert.

Who's going to be there?


The dance company is lead by:

• Mary Anne Hoffman, artistic director
• Madeline Moore, assistant artistic director
• Dawn Ketterman-Benner, company found and faculty adviser

Special guest choreographers include:

• Jill Fitzgerald and Amy Smith from Tap Ties
• Rebecca Moyer
• Cassie Russo

Student choreographers include:

• Cait Benonis '14
• Caity Dean '12
• Elizabeth Kussler '12
• Meredith Lobb '12

"Brotsjór" by Elizabeth Kussler '12

"Let Go" by Caitlyn Benonis '14

The concert will feature pieces performed by members of the Moravian College Dance Company as well as pieces by local guest artists and companies including:

• Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley
• Coral Nolan's Academy of Dance
• In Motion Dance Company
• L.V. Charter High School for the Performing Arts
• Rebecca Moore '06
• Repertory Dance Company
• Tap Ties

Why should you come to the concert?

First and foremost, you should go to support all the students and choreographers who made this year's concert possible.  Rehearsals have been taking place since last semester, so the company's 17 student members have been working very hard these past few months.

Also, it's going to be a great show!  The concert will feature a variety of dances, from ballet and modern to hip hop and jazz.  You'll definitely have a great time and will get to see some wonderful art be performed as well.

What do you need to know?

When:  Friday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m.

            Saturday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m.

Where:  Foy Hall located on South Campus

Cost:  General admission is $8 but FREE for all those who present their Moravian College ID!

Women’s Chorus Sings Love Songs

On Sunday, March 25^th, the Moravian College Women’s Chorus performed their spring concert in Peter Hall.  Accompanied by Andrea Berntsen, the concert’s theme was “Songs About Love”, which included everything from songs set to Shakespeare text to classic love songs like the Irish Air Danny Boy, which featured Krysti Nappi '14 on flute, and A Nightingale Sang in Barkley Square.

The concert also featured a few students from the ensemble, which included several solos and a duet that were interspersed throughout the program.  The featured student performers included:

Arielle Brent ‘13

Alexandra Fontini ‘14

Julie Montes De Oca ‘12

Heidi New ‘15

Rachel Ruisard ‘14

Jazzy Thomas ‘13
Melissa Walters ‘14 

Megan Weaver ‘12

So, how was it?

The concert was extremely well received by all who attended.  

President Thomforde said, "The words, the music, and the setting all contributed to a great afternoon." 

Professor of music and composer-in-residence Dr. Lipkis said, "I really enjoyed the concert.  The programming was excellent--mixing the solos with the choral works."  

Eduardo Azzati, the director of the Women's Chorus, was also very pleased with and proud of the group's performance.

In other words, if you weren't there Sunday afternoon, you unfortunately missed a wonderful concert.  The hard work that Mr. Azzati, Andrea Berntsen, and the ensemble's 18 members put into their rehearsals all semester really paid off and the result was a beautiful concert all about love.  

Student Cabaret Opens Tonight

The Moravian College Theatre Company's (MCTC) third annual student cabaret premieres tonight at 8 p.m. in the Arena Theatre

What exactly is a cabaret?

A cabaret is a grouping of theatrical pieces, ranging from skits and monologues to instrumental performances to full-scale song and dance numbers, that together make up one show.

What's unique about MCTC's student cabaret is that it is completely student run.  This year, the cabaret features over two dozen performers, crew members, and musicians, all of whom are Moravian students.  The student cabaret is also student directed.  This year's student director is Jazzy Thomas '13, who was a cast member in the 2010 and 2011 student cabarets.

Why should you come to the student cabaret?

First of all, because the cabaret is made up entirely of students, you should go to support your fellow students!  they have been rehearsing since September and are now ready to showcase all of their hard work!

Secondly, it's going to be one heck of a show!  Some numbers will have you laughing hysterically while others will tug at your heartstrings.  Also, all the students involved are incredibly talented and are sure to impress all who come.

Finally, admission is FREE!  You read that correctly: there is no charge for tickets!  Instead, donations will be collected during intermission for 88 Keys, which is a fundraiser for Broughal Middle School's music department for a new piano.

What do you need to know?

When:  Thursday, February 23 at 8 p.m.

            Friday, February 24 at 8 p.m.

            Saturday, February 25 at 8 p.m.

            Sunday, February 26 at 2 p.m.

Where:  The Arena Theatre located in the basement of the HUB

Cost:  FREE! (Donations will be accepted for Broughal Middle School's 88 Keys)

About This Blog

Hello and welcome to “The Moravian Stage”, a blog about the performing arts at Moravian College!

Allow me to introduce myself.  I’m Kayla, your blog host and a junior here at Moravian. 

How did I get into blogging?

I began blogging last fall semester as part of my online journalism class, where I hosted another blog about the arts at Moravian (if you’d like, you can check out my former blog here).  It was a great way to get started in writing for online and I learned a lot in the process.

Then, at the beginning of this semester, I approached the public relations department about becoming a work study student.  When they learned about my blog for the online journalism class, they asked me if I would want to continue blogging as part of my work study and now, here I am!

Why the performing arts?

Well, for starters, I have been involved in the performing arts for most of my life.  I began singing in my elementary school choir in 3^rd grade, began dancing at a local studio at age 11, and began community and high school theatre at age 15.  I love the performing arts and cannot imagine my life without them.

My love of the performing arts has continued into college as well.  Here at Moravian, I am actively involved in the performing arts as a member of:

• The Moravian Choir
• Vocalis
• Women’s Chorus
• The Moravian College Dance Company
• The Moravian College Theatre Company

In addition, I am a double major in music and journalism, so this blog is the perfect amalgam of both my passions. 

What is the purpose of this blog?

The purpose of this blog is to inform people about the performing arts at Moravian, specifically focusing on the people and events relating to music, dance, and theatre.  In doing so, I hope to get more people involved in the performing arts, whether it be as performers or as an audience members.

So, get ready because the curtain is rising on The Moravian Stage!  Places everyone...it's show time!