Schedules reflect transition at YSU, Oakland theaters

What is up with the reduced theater schedules at Youngstown State University Theater and the Oakland Center for the Arts?

The YSU season — which opens Friday with “The Spitfire Grill” — has only four productions, plus the usual opera and a dance concert.

At the Oakland, there is only one full-blown production on the docket so far: “Extremities,” slated for March.

There is an easy, but complicated, explanation for both. In short, it’s a time of transition at both theaters.

The university is putting renewed emphasis on student instruction, while the Oakland is trying to stabilize its finances and diversify its audience.

Actually, YSU Theater’s season isn’t really that different from usual. There are four faculty-led productions at the school every season. What is missing this year is the two or three student productions that usually take place in the Spotlight Arena blackbox theater.

Scott R. Irelan, chairman of the department of theater and dance, said the student group is down in numbers this semester, but he expects it will add at least one show in the spring.

With the exception of “Spitfire,” the shows that are scheduled are slated for just weekend. That’s because they are at Ford Theater, which has a much larger seating capacity, or elsewhere.

The department, he said, is attempting to strengthen its connection to the greater community.

An adaptation of “A Christmas Carol,” penned by Irelan, is set for Dec. 5-6 and is timed to fit in with citywide holiday celebrations that will be going on. And “Vagina Monologues” (Feb. 12-14) will be at an off-campus location.

The fourth production, “Out of This Furnace,” is set for Feb. 26-March 1 at Ford Theater.

The shorter runs of each show reduce the burden on students’ study time, said Irelan, while providing valuable real-world experience in getting a show in and out of a theater on a tight deadline.

Bigger changes are also afoot at YSU that aim to give theater and dance students what Irelan calls “a deeper learning experience.”

The theater department is responding to the university’s overall strategic plan, he said, noting that his department is nationally accredited. “We are in the top 10 percent of theater programs, and we have certain standards we must retain,” said Irelan. “We are realigning our work standards to what they are asking us to do.”

One change is that there is a lot more student involvement — and faculty mentoring — in all theater aspects, including technical (scenery and costume design, lighting, etc.) and day-to-day management.

OAKLAND CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Meanwhile, at the Oakland, the story is a little different.

Running a community theater is never easy, and the prolonged economic slump isn’t helping. The Oakland, which rents space in the Morley Building, downtown, has struggled.

“We are in a regrouping phase,” said Oakland president Jaye Mills. “We’re focusing on the business side to be financially viable.”

Only a few events are on the schedule as of this writing, but the Oakland is seeking to fill it in with different types of entertainment.

A small theatrical production could be added in November, and a musical next summer.

But more importantly, the Oakland wants to branch out with non-theater offerings, such as comedy, music, dance and film.

“We’re looking to fulfill the rest of our name — Center for the Arts,” said Mills. “We’ve been quiet, but in the coming year we will make ourselves known.”

It will screen “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 8 and 11 p.m. Oct. 25 and 31. “It’s a movie that is true to the Oakland spirit,” said Mills, referring to the theater’s penchant for edgy or offbeat fare. Prop bags to help the audience get the full “Rocky” experience will be sold. Admission is $10.

The Oakland also is working on a Christmas revue in December, and a “play in a day” theater project in February. YOUnify Theater Company will present a play next summer at the venue.

“We are competing with a lot of other entertainment offerings, and it’s tough to get people [into the theater],” said Mills. “With a more diverse schedule, we hope to attract people who don’t normally see our theater, and hopefully they’ll keep coming back.”

The Oakland is also in the process of filling out its board of directors and in gaining volunteers. “We’re looking for people who are invested in this city and in keeping this place running,” said Mills. To learn more, go to oaklandcenter.com.