Under the Shade of the Trees June 14-16, 2002 An original drama written and directed by Chris Mackowski Winner of an Ensemble Award to the Director, Designers, Cast & Crew for Outstanding Acting and Committment Winner of a Merit Award for Outstanding Accomplishments in Playwriting and Directing to Chris Mackowski  Stephanie has spent all her life trying to fulfill her father’s dreams, and she finally embarks on a career as a college history professor specializing in the American Civil War. As she begins her first multimedia history presentation, she is swept back into her own past to relive her dying father’s last days and her struggle to make good on the promise she made to him. Was the emotional cost worth it? And did she really ‘carry on’ as he asked her to? Syllabus  |  Reenactors (Cast)  |  Additional Assistance (Crew)  |  Beyond the Classroom  |  From the Dean  |  Special Thanks

S y l l a b u s

C o u r s e   D e s c r i p t i o n : A focused study of the American Civil War and the events that caused it.

A t t e n d a n c e : The attendance policy for the course is simple: Attendance is not required, but three absences constitutes automatic failure.

Students are asked to attend one of the following plenary sessions:

Friday, June 14, 2002  7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 15, 2002  7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 16, 2002  2:00 p.m.

Act 1, scene i - scene vi
Break
Act 2

R e e n a c t o r s : Cristin Winegard (Dr. Stephanie Cawley, a college history professor) Daryl Johnson (Matt, Stephanie’s father) Justine Julian (Johanna, Stephanie’s mother) Stephanie Mackowski (Steph, Stephanie at age 8) Eric Van Druff (Robert, Stephanie’s fiancé) Jody Randolph (The Woman: a day-care worker, a tour guide, a gardener, a ranger) Anne Davenport-Leete (Lori, a work-study student) Celeste Colosimo, Miranda Marsh, Jesse Stoddard (students in the class) Brigid Colligan, Gabriella Smith, Sara Kornacki, Jordan Packard, Colin Ulin (Steph’s daycare friends) (Clockwise from left: Cristin Wingard, Eric Van Druff, Chris Mackowski, Jesse Stoddard, Celeste Colosimo, Jody Randolph, Daryl Johnson, Stephanie Mackowski, Justine Julian. Not pictured: Miranda Marsh)

F o r   A d d i t i o n a l  A s s i s t a n c e :

During the course of the semester, you may find it necessary to seek assistance from various staff members at the university:

Chris Mackowski, dean

Jeff Carson, assistant dean and stage manager
Mark J. Dibble, technical director and light design

Jeremy Garris, light board operator
Additional lighting assistance from Boris Van Druff,
Eric Van Druff, Pottsy

Pottsy, sound engineering and sound board operator
Sound Design by Chris Mackowski

Set Construction:  Mark J. Dibble, Stephanie Mackowski, Pottsy, Boris Van Druff, Tanaka Van Druff

Anne Davenport-Leete and Jeremy Garris, computer services

Heidi Mackowski, costumes
Additional costume assistance from the cast

Sarah Randolph and Tanaka Van Druff, child care supervisors

Carol and Richard Marcott, hospitality coordinators

Melissa Fredeen, director of admissions

Sharie Radzavich, director of marketing and communications
Additional assistance from Diane Arnett and Chris Mackowski

(In the Photo: Eric Van Druff and Crissy Winegard)

B e y o n d   t h e   C l a s s r o o m

During break, please take advantage of the opportunity to visit with the Civil War reenactors in the lobby (Fri. & Sat. only).
     Kyle Stetz
     Ardyth Van Scoy

Now on display in the Dzirkalis Art Gallery:

"The Civil War Trails of Stonewall Jackson" -- private collection featuring work by Künstler, Maugham, Strain, and Troiani
Melissa Fredeen, curator

Now on display in the Frederick Museum:

"Artifacts from the American Civil War" -- private collection on loan from Robert Longnecker
Julie Dykstra, curator

F r o m   t h e   D e a n

When I began this project three and a half years ago, it started out as a way for me to explore my relationship with my then-five-year-old daughter. I had no way of knowing just how enmeshed this production would become with various fatherhood-related themes. How appropriate it is, then, that we share this experience with you on Father’s Day.

While much of the content of the play focuses on the Civil War and the many acts of courage and sacrifice involved during that conflict, much of the context of the play has also involved acts of courage and sacrifice. In particular, I have been humbled by the extraordinary bravery shown by Cristin Winegard. Crissy, during the production process, has literally been living out parts of this script with her own father. The production has hit very close to home for her. Another of our actors has also dealt with health-related concerns with his own father. Their courage has been a tremendous inspiration to me

On a lighter note, Eric Van Druff was joined by his two children as we set up tech for the show, providing a nice bonding experience for them. Board member Mike Grady became a father for the first time when his wife delivered twins a couple of weeks ago, and board member Dick Marcott, who helped coordinate one of our songs with the barbershoppers, is ready to again be a grandfather.

As for my daughter and I, Under the Shade of the Trees has been a defining experience for us. I began writing the play as a gift for my daughter and it has transformed into a gift from her.

It is also our gift, as a cast and crew, to you. Many fathers sit in the auditorium this weekend, including my own (who has traveled all the way from Maine to attend) as well as my grandfather. I'm lucky to also have my stepfather and father-in-law here, too. If your father is with you, give him a hug; if he’s not, give him a call when you get home.

As you enjoy this Father’s Day treat, think about the dreams your father has had for you. We father’s dream many things for our children, but the real dream come true is just having our kids in the first place.

Chris Mackowski
Father’s Day 2002

Chris invites you to take a trip down the Civil War trails of Stephwall Jackson, the source of his inspiration to write Under the Shade of the Trees.

S p e c i a l   T h a n k s

Special thanks to the following individuals and organizations who have made contributions to this course:

Diane Arnett	Bradford Area High School Athletic Department	Bradford Area Public Library	The Bradford Era
Campus Police	John Carson	Patty Colosimo	Dr. Kevin Ewert
Vince Gaeto	Marlene Kijowski	Kiwanis Club	Heidi Mackowski
Olean Community Theatre	St. Bernard’s Parish and Fr. Leo Gallina	St. Bonaventure University’s Russell J. Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication	The Stonewall Jackson House
The Times Herald	University of Pittsburgh at Bradford	WESB

Thanks to our ticket outlets:

Graham Florist

Horizons

Ott & McHenry Pharmacy

Tina’s Hallmark

Thanks to the following panelists who participated in BLT’s community forum, "Why the Civil War is Still Important," held May 30, 2002, at the Bradford Area Public Library:

Roger Alexis
Dr. Richard Frederick
Robert Longnecker

"Stonewall Jackson’s Way" performed by the Mountain Laurel Harmonizers

Cast photos courtesy of Glenn Melvin

Dr. Cawley’s presentation photos by Chris Mackowski, except photo of Julia Jackson, courtesy of The Stonewall Jackson  House, Lexington, Virginia
 

The following National Parks provided materials and/or assistance for this course: Antietam National Battlefield Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania National Battlefield Park Harper’s Ferry National Historic Park Maggie Walker Historic Site Manassas National Battlefield Park Monocacy National Battlefield Park Petersburg National Battlefield Park Special Thanks to historians Keith Alexander and Frank O’Reilly from the Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania National Battlefield for their time and tours, and most importantly, for befriending a 7-year-old Yankee girl who had a love for Stonewall. (In the Photo: Historian Frank O'Reilly gives cast members a tour of the Stonewall Jackson Shrine at the Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania National Battlefield.)

Click here to...

...find out who we are

...see what we've done

...return to BLT's main page.

Contact BLT!BLT@bradfordlittletheatre.org
PO Box 255 Bradford, PA 16701