IN THE NEWS
EXPLORATION AND HEART IN SCAD GRAD LAB'S “THE TEMPEST”
Riley Samz, SCAD Radio
"In its second annual Bard on the Beach, the GradLab tackles one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays in a new and innovative way. Director Francesca Mintowt-Czyz brings a fresh interpretation of a timeless story, using not just the unusual stage and setting but also an interactive and uncommon approach to storytelling. “Inspiration…always comes from people in the room and the space we can perform in,” Francesca remarked during my interview with her earlier this week. These two focuses become quite apparent in the production. While it may be obvious that the unusual stage brings something new to the production, setting The Tempest’s island on a complete sandy beach, it is the character and ensemble driven approach that makes the production really stand out."
"Much of the show features two Prosperos and two Mirandas, the leading characters, in a unique way: with one of each speaking and the other signing. Francesca called the ability of the actors to incorporate sign language into the show a ‘beautiful offer,’ bringing not only greater accessibility, but also an uncommon and movement driven approach to the show."
"Indeed, while Francesca remarked on SCAD Beach specifically as a ‘playground,’ the joyful approach seemed to bleed into the creativity and vigor of the entire show. From the very start, it was about experimentation and learning. Francesca called her cast ‘brave’ in their approach to the show, saying they’ve created ‘something special.’ In asking them to learn by doing and discovering, they could use the experience to come into their own as performers and creatives. “She most graciously invited us to build our characters on our own and make bold choices,” remarked Marian Vacaliuc, who plays Miranda."
FULL ARTICLE HERE
REVIEW: I FOUND THE SAVANNAH ST. PATRICK'S DAY SPIRIT, BUT IT ISN'T THE PARADE. IT'S 'ONCE'
Zach Dennis, Savannah Morning News
"...the two accomplish the first real mark of a great performance of “Once” with a truly inspired rendition of “Falling Slowly.” It’s not hyperbole on my part to admit I drifted into the original version of the song from the film, which I caught up with again the night before, as I listened to McCurdy and Orrico put their own stamp on the show defining tune.
At that point, buckle up and settle in. It’s not just the Guy and Girl show, supporting aide from Billy (Trae Gurley), Baruska (Luisa Nolasco) and the rest of the cast adds humor, heart and a strong tunes to weave the main love story together and provide a fuller picture.
But this one stands above because it feels large, professional and polished in a way we haven’t seen yet, but expect more on the way. I haven’t settled in or felt imbued in the production like I have with “Once” in something in Savannah, maybe ever."
FULL ARTICLE HERE
THEATRE INSTRUCTOR FRANCESCA MINTOWT-CZYZ REFLECTS ON TWO YEARS AT WNCC
Olivia Wieseler, Star Herald
"Now, as she finishes her time in western Nebraska, Mintowt-Czyz gets to go out working alongside a few of her students as colleagues through Theatre West. She has been performing in “39 Steps” alongside her students Lemuel Grady and Garrett Doremus. Both had nothing but good things to say about her.
For Mintowt-Czyz, it was an interesting dynamic to go from a student/teacher relationship to fellow professionals, but she couldn’t have asked for a better final experience in the Panhandle.
“I just feel very privileged to work opposite two of my students, and to perform in this theater for the first time is really exciting,” she said. “I stand in awe of not just how far they’ve come in the two years that I’ve been privileged enough to work with them, but in how much they’ve grown in two weeks of intense rehearsal… I can’t think of a better way to leave.”"
FULL ARTICLE HERE
WNCC PLAYING BIG ROLE IN RELATIVE THEATRICS NEXT PRODUCTION 'THE WASPS'
WNCC News
"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."
"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."
FULL ARTICLE HERE
WNCC THEATRE, AVIATION PARTNER FOR
NEXT PERFORMANCE
Olivia Wieseler, Star Herald
"A small Europa plane rolled in from backstage of the Platte Valley Companies Performing Arts Center on Tuesday afternoon. It was just another day in the WNCC theater program.
The plane is part of the set design for the theater program’s next production, “Night Witches,” a play based on a true story about women in Russia training to be pilots, mechanics and navigators during WWII.
“I kept thinking about how we would build one and it just seemed like such a monumental task, and you need something that’s structurally sound, that looks good and serves the story,” WNCC theater instructor Francesca Mintowt-Czyz said. “This is so functional, and I just think it’s gonna really help the actors. We play make believe and make believe is really hard when you’re pretending that some wood platforms are the wings of a plane. So now that they actually have something to play with, I think they’ll be really thrilled.””
FULL ARTICLE HERE
NEW THEATRE INSTRUCTOR BRINGS WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE
Mark McCarthy
"One of her early class projects will be for students to perform historical political speeches.
“The students will be choosing their own political speeches, memorizing them and presenting them,” Mintowt-Czyz said. “That will give them a chance to look at the impact of those speeches. They can see how performative politics can be and how theatrical politicians truly can be.”
The idea for the project came from a class Mintowt-Czyz was in along with other students from England, France, Germany, Singapore and Brazil. She was the only American in the class. Each student presented a speech in their own native language, and Mintowt-Czyz found it interesting how similar so many of the speeches were across different languages and cultures.
The project, she said, also encourages the students to pay attention to the political atmosphere and the world around them.”
FULL ARTICLE HERE
MARY POPPINS IS “PRACTICALLY PERFECT”
Marcee Ludlow, Utah Theatre Bloggers
"The scene that still sparkles in my memory is when Bert, Mary Poppins, Jane, and Michael visit the mysterious and magical Mrs. Corry’s “talking shop.” The ensemble was incredibly strong during this scene, and the song “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” was spectacular.
The small movements and reactions to the action upped the energy and humor of the scene exponentially. Judith A. Ryerson’s costumes were so vibrant, creative, and fun. Mrs. Correy, played by Francesca Mintowt-Czyz, led the fun. Mrs. Correy’s voice was a delightfully quirky and silly, her enthusiasm contagious, and her interactions with the principals fresh.”
FULL ARTICLE HERE
SOMETHING'S COMING, SOMETHING GOOD
Elisabeth Spencer, Front Row Reviewers
"Other Jet standouts include Ty Koeller as the hot-headed Action and Francesca Mintowt-Czyz as the outcast Anybodys."
FULL ARTICLE HERE
DESERT STAR'S 'HOW THE GROUCH STOLE CHRISTMAS' IN MURRAY IS WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, AND WHY YOU'LL BE LAUGHING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Jennifer Mustoe, Front Row Reviewers
"Madison Bartell (Cindy Lou Who, also played by Samantha Isom), Hillary Akin Carey (Sam What, also played by Jamie Haderlie), and Francesca Mintowt-Czyz (Becky Sue When) are delightful as the sisters."
"Mintowt-Czyz shines brightest with impeccable timing and an intellectual child character that is loveable and a joy onstage."
FULL ARTICLE HERE
EASILY THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE PLAY
Vijay Varman, Circle of Cinema
“Yes, it’s simplistic. The Rock = Good, Trump = Bad. But it’s easy to overlook this as you watch Mintowt bounce across the stage with the biggest of smiles plastered across her face. Easily the highlight of the play, her infectious attitude perks up what is a slightly slow beginning. Indeed, her skills are always shinning through, regardless if the scene is one of comedy or tragedy.“
FULL ARTICLE HERE
