Five members of WNCC's Performing Arts department are involved in Relative Theatrics'
virtual production "THE WASPS" by Aristophanes. Pictured from left: WNCC Theatre Arts
Instructor Francesca Mintowt-Czyz, freshman Chastity Brown, sophomore Lemuel Grady,
and freshman Sarah Kralovec. Not pictured is Adjunct Instructor Tami Lippstreu.
SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. - The work of several members of the Theatre Arts program at Western Nebraska Community
College will be featured when Relative Theatrics, a theatre company based out of Laramie,
Wyoming, presents its virtual production of "THE WASPS" by Aristophanes, on March
4.
Five members of the program play significant roles in the virtual production. Students
Lemuel Grady, of Grand Island, and Chastity Brown, of Sidney, were cast to play roles
in the classic Greek comedy, and freshman Sarah Kralovec, of Grand Junction, Colorado,
landed the job of assistant stage manager. WNCC Theatre Arts Instructor Francesca
Mintowt-Czyz and Adjunct Instructor Tami Lippstreu helped with the show's musical
direction and arrangement.
Mintowt-Czyz first encouraged her students to audition for the show to gain more professional
experience outside of WNCC.
"Francesca wanted to get us some real world audition experience," Grady said. "I think
that was the biggest thing, try to audition and see how we do. We got the script emailed
to us and had a few days to prepare."
Kralovec's process was different, as she applied for a job as an assistant stage manager.
"I had to redo my portfolio about three times during this process before I submitted
it to Relative Theatrics," she said. "I spent as much time as I could on it and had
to turn it in with a resume and a headshot."
Mintowt-Czyz's main role in the show was to serve as the Director of the Greek Chorus,
and Lippstreu assisted with music and creating tracks to support the sung work. Noelia
Berkes, the director of Virtual Programming at Relative Theatrics, also collaborated
with the University of Wyoming's Dr. LAura De Lozier to create the fresh and new look
on the comedy.
In addition to the professional experience that the students are receiving, the student-actors
are also getting paid for their work. The professional development and the numerous
opportunities to perform, is what drew students like Grady and Brown to WNCC.
"Francesca always has opportunities coming up and she makes sure she passes those
on to us," Brown said. "She pushes us forward in the audition process and makes sure
we know what we are doing. She's really good about helping the program grow and giving
us a chance to be what we want to be."
"THE WASPS" will air via Zoom on Thursday, March 4 at 7 p.m. To stream the show, visit
relativetheatrics.com.