The Importance of Theatre
TAMIU students with interests in acting are fortunate to have access to our campus librarian John Maxstadt, the head of public services at the Killiam Library. His 42 years or experience as an actor and director of theater are a component to his abilities and talent in theater production.. His latest contribution to the arts, “The Importance of Being Earnest”, took place from March 24 through March 26, 2011 at TAMIU’s Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre.
An organization known as the Laredo Theatre Guild International, who is partnered with TAMIU, carried out the event at our university. As a board member of this organization, Mr. Maxstadt has supportive in giving press members an interview to discuss the theatrical procedures and strategies of his latest commitment to theatre. He did this in hopes of encouraging TAMIU students to explore the field of theatre.
With careful planning and at least two months of preparation, the Laredo Theatre Guild International’s twenty members were able to successfully bring the “Importance of Being Earnest” to our stage. While some members of the guild have expertise in costume design and creation, others focus on other production talents such as rehearsal practice instruction; an idea also referred to as “show doctoring”. Mr. Maxstadt brought about his role of “show doctoring” by training the performers a British accent of the distinguished social class.
Vernon Carol, Sam Johnson, and Brenda Townsend, board members of the what used to be Laredo Music Theatre International have demonstrated their willingness to share their ten years of operational experience with newer organizations. They have become active in theatre by assisting Joe Arciniega’s Laredo Theatre Guild. Today these organizations are united to form the Laredo Theatre Guild International, which brought us “The Importance of Being Earnest”.
Mr. Maxstadt emphasized on the extraordinary costume design created by the guild’s official costumer, Aida’s Lace. With the intention of portraying the time period;s clothing style, the characters were also assigned specific colors and ensembles depending on the character theme. Mr. Maxstadt explains how some characters required sharp dramatic hues while others relied on softer greys and beiges.
Performers Richard Resendez, Casandra Canales, Carllyn Walker, Brendan Townsend, Cindy Stewart, and Henry Mejía, brought to life this all-time classic by Oscar Wilde. General admission costs to the event were $15 and $10 for students. The Laredo Theatre Guild International now has a standard year round production schedule, TAMIU students and the community can now attend at least four showings per year. The upcoming summer musical will be a reenactment based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray titled Little Orphan Annie.
In hopes of encouraging TAMIU students to take part in the theatre, Mr. Maxstadt would like to invite students to showcase their talents. “There is a lot of great community theatre out there” he said, “and experience is not necessary, only two of our performers have actual theatre experience”. With access to theatre experts such as Mr. Maxstadt, TAMIU students have the option to engage in the theatre to test and apply their skills; an experience worth comparing to a “museum piece” according to Maxstadt.