Kent-Trumbull tackles ‘Tartuffe’

By GUY D’ASTOLFO

dastolfo@vindy.com

CHAMPION

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The cast of Kent Trumbull Theater's production of "Tartuffe" gathers in a scene.

Photo

The cast of Kent Trumbull Theater's production of "Tartuffe" gathers in a scene.

Daniel-Raymond Nadon has been keeping theater alive and healthy at Kent State-Trumbull for 17 years.

Nadon is the director of the theater department at the branch campus. Although many of his students move on to other campuses after two years, Kent-Trumbull’s productions rival any local theater in quality and ambition.

Up next is “Tartuffe,” the 17th century comedy by Moliere, which opens Friday.

By necessity, Nadon occasionally goes off-campus to find actors — although students comprise 13 of the 14 roles in “Tartuffe.” A faculty member — Peter Byrne — was tapped for the co-lead role of Orgon.

Nadon — who is the only full-time faculty member in the theater department (“I’m the chief cook and bottle washer,” he said) — took a break from his preparations to discuss “Tartuffe” and his theater with The Vindicator.

“It’s community-based,” he said, describing the program. “We often merge community members and high school students with our own students ...I’ve been known to go to the parking lot to recruit actors if we are short.”

Photos of productions from the past 17 years line the walls of his office, located behind the stage. Nadon proudly showed off an overstuffed scrapbook brimming with playbills, photos and newspaper clippings.

Productions are staged in the campus’ intimate 140-seat theater, which was built in the ’70s.

Many of the students who take part in the dramas and musicals are not theater majors, said Nadon. Those who are typically move on to the main Kent campus, or Youngstown State University, for their junior and senior years.

As at any university, Nadon selects plays that will provide a wide range of experience for his actors. “It’s all about educating students,” he said.

The 2009-10 season has so far included: “For Every Man, Woman & Child,” a contemporary morality play; and “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” After “Tartuffe,” the regular season will close with the world premiere of “Pancakes and a Lobster Tank: Living With Autism, Loving Alex,” an autobiographical one-woman play written by Trumbull County native Rebecca Maher.

“The goal is to challenge ourselves and have a huge variety,” said Nadon. “We will do Shakespeare, contemporary, musical, children’s and new works.”

Local theater professionals like Robert Katkowsky assist at the theater. Katkowsky is the technical and scenic director at Kent-Trumbull, a position he’s filled for many years. During a reporter’s recent visit, he was overseeing workers building an elaborate staircase that will dominate the stage for “Tartuffe.”

Katkowsky’s wife, Suzy Campbell, is Kent-Trumbull’s much-respected costumer. She created the period apparel for “Tartuffe.” Nadon is directing “Tartuffe.” He said it has taken some time for his cast to master the comedy. “It’s a challenge, because of the 17th century posture and movement,” he said.

“Tartuffe” takes place in the Paris home of Orgon, a wealthy man. Orgon befriends Tartuffe — who has falsely presented himself as a pious man — and brings him into his home to live. But Tartuffe takes advantage of his situation, and makes a fool of the pompous Orgon.

After the school year ends, Kent-Trumbull Theater’s annual summer stock season will begin. This year’s productions include “Oliver,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” and “The Frog Prince.” A Summer Stock scholarship program for theater technicians is being offered to up to four high school students. The interns will do backstage work, and serve as crew, set builders and costume makers. Downloadable applications are available at kent.edu. Call (330) 847-8700 for more info.