ShenCoLAB Projects
ShenCoLAB projects are listed below in alphabetical order by the last name of the project leader(s).
Project titles and information are subject to change.
20 Projects | 5 Days | 1 Epic Experience
Looking for ways to participate? Join a project as a collaborator! Questions? Email shencolab@tou18.com for more information.
Black Acting Methods Crash Course
TYPE OF PROJECT
In-person performance/presentation
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME
15–20 minutes
Project Co-leaders: Lenita Atabe & Chelsea Michael Goode
This piece will consist of a medley of devised skits, bits and rituals derived from chapters of “Black Acting Methods: Critical Approaches” by Dr. Sharrell D. Luckett. Lenita and I, Chelsea, both studied directly underneath Dr. Luckett to create the inaugural class of Black Acting Methods Society at Shenandoah University. We’re hoping to share the fun and creativity that comes within Black acting methods and all the foolishness that our weekly meetings entail. It’ll be a compilation of the joy of Blackness within theatre.
CONFIRMED COLLABORATORS
Lenita Atabe, project co-leader
Chelsea Michael Goode, project co-leader
Rainn Anding
Lisa Arnold
Haidyn Bye
Vivienne Gianneschi
Austin Harger
Maya Lysinger
Xavier Miller
Nathan Szymanski
Malachi Windom
NEEDED COLLABORATORS
1 stage manager
1 sound designer/operator
1 lighting technician
1 costume designer
PROJECT WARNINGS
This project includes a strobe light, as well as strong language, raunchy humor/satire, and mentions of race and race relations.
FACULTY MENTOR
Dead for 20 Minutes
TYPE OF PROJECT
In-person performance/presentation
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME
20 minutes
Project Leader: Bobby Bays
In this ShenCoLAB project, we will present a short concert that is true to form to the live shows put on by one of the greatest American touring bands of the 20th century, The Grateful Dead. Featuring commonly played songs by the dead, we aim to capture a bit of the magic of a dead show to bring to to our fellow students here at Shenandoah University.
CONFIRMED COLLABORATORS
Bobby Bays, project leader
Sam Poster
Charles Perry
NEEDED COLLABORATORS
1 drummer
1 percussionist
1 bassist
1 lighting technician
1 sound engineer,
2 guitarists
2–3, vocalists
1 keyboard player
SUGGESTED SHOW RATING
More information coming soon…
FACULTY MENTOR
Songs for Humans
TYPE OF PROJECT
In-person performance/presentation
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME
15 minutes
Project Leader: Maximiliano Fernández Escalona
“Songs for Humans” is my first song cycle. It centers the human experience and how absolutely gut-wrenching, complicated, and incredibly rewarding it is. This piece is largely inspired by my own experience living with a personality disorder and invites people to take a moment and really deeply feel everything on their hearts and minds.
CONFIRMED COLLABORATORS
Maximiliano Fernández Escalona, project leader
Jenna Eckenrod, choreographer
Tori Baker, stage manager
Brooke Frampton, soprano
Shannon Fowler, mezzo soprano
Barbara Johnson, mezzo soprano
Kate Job, violin
Elena Ross, violin
Gavin Barricklow, viola
Sophia Alvini-Moore, cello
Zoie Foster, piano
Anna Goodman, actor
NEEDED COLLABORATORS
N/A
SUGGESTED SHOW RATING: PG-13
More information coming soon…
FACULTY MENTOR
A “Staged” Reading of the Eleventh Stroke of Midnight by “Kit Wilder”
TYPE OF PROJECT
In-person performance/presentation
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME
15–20 minutes
Project Leader: Jordan Green
The Eleventh Stroke of Midnight is a thrilling play about the journey one takes to fight for those they truly love. Friendships are tested. Familiar relationships are confounded. Will these relationships last? Will there be hope? WILL TIME BE RESTORED? The Eleventh Stroke of Midnight is a play definitely written by Jordan Elisabeth Green.
CONFIRMED COLLABORATORS
Jordan Green, project leader, writer
Larissa Culbertson, writer, producer
Fletcher Dworkin-McDaniel, performer
Laney Norberg, performer
Nathan Szymanski, performer
Emma Reed, performer
Tina Kulow, performer
Liv Gordon, stage manager
Gianna Branca, support system <3
NEEDED COLLABORATORS
3 musicians
1 vocal performance member
Acting and musical theatre majors
Stage management personnel
SUGGESTED SHOW RATING
More information coming soon…
FACULTY MENTOR
inter(connect)ion
TYPE OF PROJECT
In-person performance/presentation
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME
15 minutes
Project Leader: Laniya Hodge
This work is intended to depict the levels of the ecological pyramid through structured and contact improv. Each dancer will showcase what they are, animal or plant, through improv and motifs randomly interjected into their improv. Through contact improv, I want to show the relationship between organisms, whether harmful, advantageous, or dependent. These relationships shown will be independent, codependent, and parasitic. The beginning section of the piece will showcase all of the dancers at a cellular level, and throughout the piece, they will morph into their assigned animals. This work will have solo, duet, trio, and group moments designed to show each animal’s relationship with the environment. The piece will culminate in one of the dancers showcasing how humans become the apex predators of any environment they inhabit.
CONFIRMED COLLABORATORS
Laniya Hodge, project leader
Alexa Boyles, lighting designer
Ian Sabatine, sound technician
Chance Morris, percussion
Rylie Barr
MJ Cossel
Layla Kurtz
Lauren Scott
Renny White
TT Williams
NEEDED COLLABORATORS
1 sound designer/operator
1 lighting technician
SUGGESTED SHOW RATING
More information coming soon…
FACULTY MENTOR
Cohesiveness in the Chaos
TYPE OF PROJECT
In-person performance/presentation
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME
10–12 minutes
Project Leader: Anna Irwin
I want to create a multimedia art project that incorporates dance, visual art and music. Pulling inspiration from videos of ballet dancers dancing on a canvas in paint with their pointe shoes. I plan to have canvases for each dancer (or put the dancers into pairs and have 3 canvases) and different colors of paint. Each canvas would have a different “theme” with a different genre of music. Each canvas would have a dance style that matched the music and paint.
CONFIRMED COLLABORATORS
Anna Irwin, project leader
Katie Jo Clukey, dancer
Maria Pomares, dancer
NEEDED COLLABORATORS
1 stage manager
6 dancers
1 pianist
1 violin
1 flute
1 music director
1 drummer
SUGGESTED SHOW RATING
More information coming soon…
FACULTY MENTOR
Selections from ASSASSINS
TYPE OF PROJECT
In-person performance/presentation
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME
20 minutes
Project Co-leaders: Charlotte Jenkins & Gannon Thomas
We have a very passionate, pointed, and fully realized idea of Stephen Sondheim’s acclaimed 1990 musical, ASSASSINS. The musical follows various assassins in a fantastical world where each waits for their story to be told. This will be told in concert format, incorporating blocking and choreography. We have a concept of putting this musical in a casino environment with the metaphor of “winner gets a prize.”
CONFIRMED COLLABORATORS
Charlotte Jenkins, project co-leader
Gannon Thomas, project co-leader
Abby Gorsuch, music director
Ethan Langan, actor (John Wilkes Booth)
Ethan Worsham, actor (Charles Guiteau)
Jackson Chase, actor (John Hinkley Jr)
Ben Yantis, actor (Leon Czolgosz)
Emily Rubino, actor (Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme)
Vivienne Gianneschi, actor (Sara Jane Moore)
Ben Eble, actor (The Proprietor)
Riley Broshears, actor (Lee Harvey Oswald)
Sam Barthel, actor (Samuel Byck)
Thomas Lightsey, actor (Giuseppe Zangara)
Olivia Gordon, stage manager
NEEDED COLLABORATORS
2 directors/producer/choreographer
10 actors
1 music director
1 percussionist
1 stage manager
1 sound design/operator
1 lighting technician
SUGGESTED SHOW RATING
More information coming soon…
FACULTY MENTOR
reciprocal determinism
TYPE OF PROJECT
In-person performance/presentation
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME
5–15 minutes
Project Leader: Kylie Johnson
Does identity exist without the act of performance? Can conviction be found solely within one’s self without extrinsic execution? These are few of the questions that will be explored through an interdisciplinary film, in which a related narrative will be delivered by actors, further amplified and abstracted through dancers, with original sound provided by musicians. Whether we recognize it or not, it’s innate for us to perform; there are inherent changes in our presentation and even character, depending on our environment. As artists, we welcome and indulge in performance, transforming into whoever we want the audience to see; however, what happens when we exit the stage? As we occupy our most vulnerable states and spaces, is there an invisible audience that looms? Seldom in this age are we truly left alone with technology providing a medium for persuasive algorithms, instantaneous, yet implicit audiences, and constant perception. This project will investigate such concepts by portraying various relationships, and how an invisible audience influences individuals’ feelings, choices, and interactions; an imaginary source that has real implications. Even in times of rest, there remains an active practice of our craft, even by those who aren’t entertainers. Can we ever close the curtain?
CONFIRMED COLLABORATORS
Kylie Johnson, project leader
Jenna Eckenrod
Lily Hemingway
Shriya Bharadwaz
NEEDED COLLABORATORS
Dancers
Actors
Composer
Musicians
Sound Technician
Videographers
Writers/Scriptwright
SUGGESTED SHOW RATING
More information coming soon…
FACULTY MENTOR
The Lesser Dones
TYPE OF PROJECT
In-person performance/presentation
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME
20 minutes
Project Co-leaders: Casey Joiner & Adam Griffiths
Inga Davis-Rutter is a West End audition/rehearsal pianist, and coaches musical theatre at many performing arts colleges including Trinity Laban, LSMT, Royal Academy of Music, Mountview, Millenium Performing Arts, PPA, MTA. In 2023, she published a list of audition songs; from her position at the piano, Inga had written down every song brought into a musical theater audition for which she was playing between the years of 2016 and 2023. She then listed these songs in order from “most appeared” to “least appeared” and published it on social media with a “do with this what you will” message for the public. Though the topic of singing “overdone” songs could be endlessly picked apart by musical theatre professionals, the fact remains: many singers are on the hunt for a “lesser done” song. My colleague Adam and I would like to perform a lecture recital on some lesser done songs that might serve as good alternatives for some of the more popular audition pieces.
CONFIRMED COLLABORATORS
Casey Joiner, project co-leader
Adam Griffiths, project co-leader
NEEDED COLLABORATORS
2 singers
1 pianist
1 sound operator
1 lighting technician
SUGGESTED SHOW RATING
More information coming soon…
FACULTY MENTOR
Traditional Folk Fiddle Girls
TYPE OF PROJECT
In-person performance/presentation
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME
10–15 minutes
Project Leader: Ellie Long
This project explores old traditional American and Irish folk tunes with an all-girl band (and possibly dancers). Old traditional folk music is not as popular today, but has a lot to offer. It has many elements of different styles, while presenting a comforting performance. The project will examine the history, stories and lessons included with every piece. It is also important for there to be female representation in music.
CONFIRMED COLLABORATORS
Ellie Long, project leader, fiddle
Emily Mullen, fiddle
Raquel Anongos, fiddle
Barbara Johnson, guitar
Logan Parker, upright bass
NEEDED COLLABORATORS
4–5 violinists
1 percussionist
1 upright bass
2 choreoegraphers
Multiple dancers
SUGGESTED SHOW RATING
More information coming soon…
FACULTY MENTOR
MF: A Tribute to Maynard
TYPE OF PROJECT
In-person performance/presentation
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME
20 minutes
Project Leader: Tyler Makowiecki
Maynard Ferguson was a Canadian trumpeter who found his way into the American big band scene relatively quickly. He was brought to America by bandleader Stan Kenton and played with his jazz orchestra for about 3 years before becoming the principal trumpet for Paramount Pictures. He played on many soundtracks and made his way to the top of the scene. At this point, he founded his band and started his time as a bandleader which lasted up until he died in 2006. With his band, he became one of the most prominent soloists and was featured in some of the top venues in the world including Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in England. With that being said, with this project I am hoping to put on a concert in tribute to Maynard. He has done so much for me in my musical journey and finding my way and favorite styles and has influenced so many other jazz musicians over the years. I am using his format of a modified big band which includes 4 trumpets, 1 trombone, 3 saxes, and a rhythm section, and will be performing some of his classic songs from the 1970s.
CONFIRMED COLLABORATORS
Tyler Makowiecki, project leader
Nathan Hott
Dominic Jackson
James Keshap
Wade Parton
Connor Eldredge
Taylor Losey
Mark Barr
Brannon Wiltshire
Carter Fensterstock
Alex Kilkus
Burke Adkins
Jacob Blair
Blake Barnickel
NEEDED COLLABORATORS
N/A
SUGGESTED SHOW RATING
More information coming soon…
FACULTY MENTOR
The Fabulous Funhouse: A Drag Cabaret Variety Spectacular
TYPE OF PROJECT
In-person performance/presentation
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME
20 minutes
Project Leader: Phelan Newman
This project has been a concept that I’ve wanted to bring to life for almost a year now. I’ve always wanted to produce a variety show in some way, shape, or form, and I feel so lucky to share this vision with you all during this festival! The Fabulous Funhouse is exactly what its tagline says: “A Drag Cabaret Variety Spectacular.” This production is greatly influenced by the worlds of vaudeville, circus, and drag artistry while still reflecting a message of equality and queer empowerment. At the end of the nineteenth going into the twentieth century, the vaudeville stage was a place where people of all likenesses could come together and perform, and I hope to reflect that in my modernized interpretation. From acts such as colorguard twirling, many musical numbers, and even a barbershop quartet, I hope you’re prepared to be amazed! I am forever grateful to this incredible company for making my whimsical dream a reality.
CONFIRMED COLLABORATORS
Phelan Newman, project leader, producer, performer, writer, sound designer
Haidyn Bye, director
Rainn Anding, choreographer
Helena Gryder, stage manager
Katie Hicks, music director
Ella Hawkins, costume coordinator
Larissa Jones, props master
Grayson Miller, makeup designer, coordinator, light board operator
Ruby Shand, lighting designer
Ian Sabatine, sound operator
Maya Lysinger, ringmaster
Lenita Atabe, ringmaster
Anna Goodman, featured performer (colorguard)
Petra Munter, featured performer (musical act)
Jacob Granado, featured performer (barbershop quartet)
Wyatt Moore, featured performer (barbershop quartet)
Fiona Sullivan, featured performer (barbershop quartet)
Eli Pesanelli, featured performer (barbershop quartet)
Lily Connor, movement ensemble
Laney Norberg, movement ensemble
NEEDED COLLABORATORS
1 music director/pianist
1 lighting designer/operator
1 drummer
1 props master
1 costume coordinator
1 costuming assistant/makeup coordinator
3–5 featured performers/acts
1 principle actor, serving as the Ringmaster
People needed for a Movement Ensemble
SUGGESTED SHOW RATING: PG-13
This project contains strong language, along with a few instances of adult humor.
FACULTY MENTOR
No Sheet Music
TYPE OF PROJECT
In-person performance/presentation
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME
15 minutes
Project Leader: Jack Penland
Musicians get the chance to improvise their own music, write their own music, play with each other, and do an entire performance without sheet music like a classical musician is trained to do. The idea is that we aren’t used to using nothing but our ears and our ability to watch other people as you all play, so this is a chance for them to do their own kinds of music with each other.
CONFIRMED COLLABORATORS
Jack Penland, project leader
NEEDED COLLABORATORS
5 musicians
SUGGESTED SHOW RATING
More information coming soon…
FACULTY MENTOR
Through a Different Lens
TYPE OF PROJECT
In-person performance/presentation
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME
20 minutes
Project Leader: Emma Shockey
Most people can take their senses at a performance for granted. This project is going to bring a light to the fact that those with disabilities can still enjoy the arts just as much. For this performance, the audience will experience various performances through a different lens. To the best of our abilities, the audience will get to see performances as people do are deaf, blind, and more.
CONFIRMED COLLABORATORS
Emma Shockey, project leader, alto saxophone, ASL interpreter
Matthew Neal, sound engineer
Stephen Payes, soprano saxophone, voice, shaker
Beau Baldassari, tenor saxophone
Adam Dockins, baritone saxophone
Lizzie Pearson, piano, voice, cajon
Burke Adkins, guitar
Logan Parker, bass
Jake Blair, drum set
Abby Davis, dancer
Kaitlyn Kiefer, dancer
Sarah Berry, voice, guitar
Jazmine Payne, voice
Emma Shields, voice, piano
Peter George, voice
NEEDED COLLABORATORS
1 sound operator
1 drum set
1 piano
3-6 dancers
2+ singers
SUGGESTED SHOW RATING: PG
More information coming soon…
FACULTY MENTOR
Musical Telephone
TYPE OF PROJECT
In-person performance/presentation
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME
10 minutes
Project Co-leaders: Trey Strosnider & Logan Parker
Much like the childhood game of telephone where a phrase gets transformed and tweaked as it goes from person to person, musical telephone sets out to do the same thing. A backing track will be set up for musicians and the first performer will be given a melody to put their own spin on. Then, the next person will come in and hear what the first person did, and then make their own take of that phrase. The idea is that each person only gets to hear what the person before them did and the final product should be totally different from the initial. The final recording will be presented after a short presentation of the process and the ideas that went into it.
CONFIRMED COLLABORATORS
Trey Strosnider, project co-leader
Logan Parker, project co-leader
Blake Barnickel
NEEDED COLLABORATORS
As many different musicians as possible!
SUGGESTED SHOW RATING
More information coming soon…
FACULTY MENTOR
Backwards Cabaret
TYPE OF PROJECT
In-person performance/presentation
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME
20 minutes
Project Leader: Dylan Stukenberg
I want to do a choreography showcase exploring gender bent themes and androgynous movement. Primarily I would love to take iconic musical theatre numbers (things like ‘Big Spender’ from “Sweet Charity”) and flip them on their heads, switching the gender from their original interpretation.
CONFIRMED COLLABORATORS
Dylan Stukenberg, project leader
Sam
Chris
Avery Whitacre
Jaxon Allison
Payton Goodwin
NEEDED COLLABORATORS
1 choreographer
1 music director
1 piano
1 guitar
1 drums
1 sound design
1 lighting
6 actors
SUGGESTED SHOW RATING
More information coming soon…
FACULTY MENTOR
Recollection Record
TYPE OF PROJECT
In-person performance/presentation
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME
15–20 minutes
Project Leader: Brynne Swann
My project is inspired by the Memory Palace memorization technique, which is essentially a memorization strategy that uses visualizations of familiar spatial environments to recall information. This technique has been used as a basis for the final product, but has been enhanced to represent the relationship between music and memory. My fellow collaborators and I have worked this week to create a fictional person and their love story. We are excited to invite you to listen to their “recollection record”, and watch as their memories dance in front of you!
CONFIRMED COLLABORATORS
Brynne Swann, project leader, sound designer
Alexa Guadagnoli, choreographer, dancer
Ruby Shand, lighting designer
Jayson Goldner, scenic designer, choreographer, dancer
Maggie Herber, actor
Katherine Neff, stage manager, costume designer
Grace Ashby, vocalist
NEEDED COLLABORATORS
1 choreographer
2-3 dancers
1-2 guitarists
1 pianist
SUGGESTED SHOW RATING
More information coming soon…
FACULTY MENTOR
Shenandoah Night Live
TYPE OF PROJECT
In-person performance/presentation
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME
15–20 minutes
Project C0-leader: Jessica Yorke, Serenity Flores & Mikayla White
This project is inspired by “Saturday Night Live” (SNL)! This will be an SNL-like performance consisting of short skits/comedy skits and welcomes performers of all majors and experiences.
CONFIRMED COLLABORATORS
Jessica Yorke, project leader
Serenity Flores, project leader
Mikayla White, project leader
Emily Smith, lighting technician
Natalie Gales, writer/actor
Grace Ashby, actor
Adaugo Ejekwu, actor
Megan Frederick, actor
Izzy Miller, actor
Ashley Stuber, actor
Greylynn Waite, actor
Beau Baldassari, saxophone
Reeve Thomas, trombone
Holly Calloway, piano
Adan Sanchez, bass
Ethan Richardson, percussion
NEEDED COLLABORATORS
1 or 2 lighting technician(s)
1 or 2 sound designer(s)/operator(s)
Performers/cast members
1 stage manager
1 or 2 writer(s) for scripts/dialogue
3–5 musicians (well versed in jazz) for transition music between skits (pianist, saxophonist, bassist, brass instrumentalist, etc.)
SUGGESTED SHOW RATING
More information coming soon…
FACULTY MENTOR
Yeah Sure I Can Do That
TYPE OF PROJECT
In-person performance/presentation
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME
10–15 minutes
Project Leader: Alyson Zieg
We all put things on our resume that we can ‘probably’ do. “Yeah Sure I Can Do That” is a performance in which everyone is a trained artist, but nobody is doing what they’ve been trained in. Performers will dance, sing, act, compose, improvise, and play instruments that they have zero formal training in with the mission to still create something enjoyable for an audience. It’s “Dancing with the Stars” if only the stars performed and without the competition.
CONFIRMED COLLABORATORS
Alyson Zieg, project leader
Courtney Anthony
Marlena Shinego
Fox Desrosiers
Lisa Arnold
NEEDED COLLABORATORS
5 performers representing every performing discipline
SUGGESTED SHOW RATING
More information coming soon…
FACULTY MENTOR
The Art of Perspective: Illustrating Music
TYPE OF PROJECT
In-person performance/presentation
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME
10 minutes
Project Leader: Anna Zorio
This project showcases differing interpretations of music, focusing on a single piece of instrumental music. Originally composed for a clarinet solo, Michele Mangani’s “Romanza” will be arranged to be performed as a duet. Dancers will be performing alongside the music, portraying elements of the story behind the piece. Looking at one piece of art from several perspectives allows people to connect with one another. There are two major musical elements that contrast each other, portraying the piece as both joyful and sorrowful. Additionally, the incorporation of multiple areas of the performing arts allows collaborators to work creatively with artists from other departments while sharing their passions with the audience. Not only does the project illustrate different interpretations through musicality and creative expression, but it also uses integration of numerous forms of art.
CONFIRMED COLLABORATORS
Anna Zorio, project leader
Brandon DuBritton, arranger, music director
Darian Angel
Caitlyn Rose
Annabel Burkhart
Ella Gibson
Ariana Gaub
Sydney Barker
NEEDED COLLABORATORS
1 assistant director
1 assistant choreographer
SUGGESTED SHOW RATING
More information coming soon…