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Frankenstein

October 26, 2022 by stgschoolcraft

Schoolcraft College Theatre opens the 2022-23 season with a new interpretation of a familiar tale with “The Gravedigger: A Frankenstein Play.” Written by Joseph Zettelmaier, the piece includes many of the elements of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” while exploring more deeply some of the themes presented in her book.

Michael Alan Herman
“The Gravedigger: A Frankenstein Play” will be presented by Schoolcraft College Theatre.

Michael Alan Herman, in his second year teaching theatre arts at Schoolcraft, is the director. The veteran actor and playwright said the audience won’t see Boris Karloff’s “Frankenstein” stomping around the James R. Hartman Theatre.

“A lot of people know theUniversal Studios version of Frankenstein – this big hulking green monster that has bolts on the side of his neck,” Herman said. “But that is not the monster that Mary Shelley wrote in her genius book. Her monster is poetic and yearns for love, sees the world with wide-eye fascination, and takes criticism very personally.

“This is the same monster that Joe wrote in ‘Gravedigger.’ The story is a deep dive into the human condition and asks these powerful questions like ‘What does it mean to be human?’ and ‘What does it mean to be a good human?’ The actors really go to 11 when it comes to the drama and the excitement, and I can’t wait for Schoolcraft audiences to see what we are making for them.”

Zettelmaier is a familiar name to patrons of Schoolcraft College Theatre. His play “It Came From Mars” was to be the spring 2020 production, but had to be canceled due to COVID-19. A year later, Zettelmaier and Herman collaborated on “Alone/Together,” which was presented in March 2021.

“Joe is just the best,” Herman said. “He’s a genius writer, a visionary director, and on top of that, he is just the nicest person you would have the chance to meet. I love working with Joe. He, my wife, and I work together all the time and we just love it.

“Joe is so good at writing plays that are heartwarming, meaningful and funny at the same time. ‘Gravedigger’ is no different. It’s set in a world of monsters and villains, but it has so much heart and I couldn’t love it more.”

Herman has had a busy past few months acting as he landed the role of Dylan in the movie “Chasing Hope.” His parts were filmed in nearby Brighton.

“’Chasing Hope’ is a Christian feature film about a man named David Jakes who is trying to save himself from a degenerative disease,” Herman said. “In the process, he recruits my character to find him a donor. I’m a hacker/part-time criminal that has some experience poking around places that I’m not supposed to. We find a woman named Hope, who is a good match for Jake, and I spend a lot of the film pursuing her – or … ‘chasing’ Hope.”

Herman said “Chasing Hope” premiered a few weeks ago and should be distributed soon on a streaming service. View the trailer.

“Gravedigger: A Frankenstein Play” will open at 8 p.m. on Friday, October 28 – just in time for Halloween – in the James R. Hartman Theatre on the campus of Schoolcraft College.

Other performance times are:

  • Saturday, October 29 – 8 p.m.
  • Sunday, October 30 – 2 p.m. (matinee)
  • Friday, November 4 – 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, November 5 – 8 p.m.

Tickets are $20. Purchase Online

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Frankenstein, Joseph Zettelmaier, Michael Alan Herman, Schoolcraft College Theatre

September 19, 2022 by mlemon

All are invited to monthly book discussions

Pageturners, Schoolcraft College’s book club, has announced its Fall 2022 schedule with three selections that will captivate readers and create engaging discussions. These discussions, which are open to students, faculty, staff and community members, are facilitated by either an Honors student or one of the co-coordinators of Pageturners, Denise Schell, English Professor; or Wayne Pricer, Librarian.

“These conversations are very interactive,” Professor Schell said. “Everyone who attends is invited to share their opinions, reactions, insights, and overall impressions of the book.”

With the season about to officially turn to fall, the first book is both familiar and appropriate: “Frankenstein,” by Mary Shelley.

September: “Frankenstein”

“Frankenstein” will be discussed in September.

Synopsis: Young scientist Victor Frankenstein, grief-stricken over the death of his mother, sets out in a series of laboratory experiments testing the ability to create life from non-living matter. Soon, his experiments progress further until he creates a humanoid creature 8 feet tall. But as Frankenstein soon discovers, a successful experiment does not always equal a positive outcome.

  • Book discussion: 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 27, in BTC 120
  • Movie screening: 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 29, in McDowell 100 B and C

“Frankenstein” serves as a lead-in to the Schoolcraft College Theatre Department’s production of “The Gravedigger: A Frankenstein Story” by Joseph Zettelmaier and directed by Michael Alan Herman. You can learn more about the production on the theatre website. The first performance is Friday, October 28.

October: “On the Fringe: Where Science Meets Pseudoscience”

“On the Fringe: Where Science Meets Pseudoscience” will be discussed in October. 

For October, Pageturners continues its tradition of collaborating with Dr. Mark Huston, Professor of Philosophy and Liberal Arts, on his Humanities 190 book selection. This year’s work is “On the Fringe: Where Science Meets Pseudoscience” by Michael G. Gordin. Dr. Huston, one of the region’s foremost authorities on conspiracy theories, will moderate a panel discussion.

Synopsis: “On the Fringe: Where Science Meets Pseudoscience” explores the philosophical and historical attempts to address the problem of differentiating between genuine science and pseudoscience. This book argues that by understanding doctrines that are often seen as antithetical to science, we can learn a great deal about how science operated in the past and does today.

  • Book discussion: 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 25, in BTC 120
  • Panel discussion: 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 27, in McDowell 100 B and C

November: “True Biz”

“True Biz” will be discussed in November. 

The November selection is “True Biz” by Sara Novic. This book will be covered in collaboration with Dr. Deborah Burke and sections of her Psychology 229 course.

Synopsis: This is a story of sign language and lip-reading, disability and civil rights, isolation and injustice, first love and loss, and, above all, great persistence, daring and joy. Absorbing and assured, idiosyncratic and relatable, this is an unforgettable journey into the Deaf community and a universal celebration of human connection.

  • Book discussion: 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15, in BTC 120
  • Movie screening of “CODA”: 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 17, in McDowell 100 B and C

Remote option available

A remote option will be available for the discussions. You also can join by phone at 1-571-392-7650 PIN: 819 517 4794.

“Our fall selections are an eclectic mix that has a little something for everyone,” said Wayne Pricer, Pageturners co-coordinator. “We invite everyone to attend for lively and insightful conversation.”

All book selections can be purchased from the Schoolcraft College Bookstore.

Filed Under: News, Schoolcraft Spotlight Tagged With: Denise Schell, Frankenstein, Mark Huston, On The Fringe: Where Science Meets Pseudoscience, Pageturners, True Biz, Wayne Pricer

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