Augustana College presents Katrina: The K WordTheatre

Katrina: The K Word

Augustana College's Potter Theate

Friday, February 6, through Sunday, February 8

 

For years, the Augustana College course Theatre 350: Play Production has asked its students to wear a great many hats. With participants, under faculty supervision, wholly in charge of auditioning, casting, directing, designing, costuming, stage managing, and ultimately presenting a dramatic work for paying audiences, the class offers a rather comprehensive 10-week education on what it takes to successfully mount a show.

But this year, Professor Jeff Coussens' Play Production students are also receiving a 10-week education on their chosen play's subject, considering that the recent-seeming tragedy it concerns happened, as Coussens says, "when the students were, what ... nine?"

Running February 6 through 8 in Augustana's Potter Theatre, Katrina: The K Word, as its title suggests, explores the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, focusing on how the horrific event affected New Orleans residents both during the storm and after the levees broke. "2015 is the 10th anniversary of Katrina," says Coussens, "which boggles my mind. So the students, even though they were alive when it happened, don't have any real conception of it."

Yet one member of Augustana's theatre faculty - costume supervisor Ellen Dixon - certainly did. "She was working for Harrah's [New Orleans] Casino as head of wardrobe for the whole operation," says Coussens. "So when Katrina hit, she was living on the Mississippi gulf coast. She was on high-enough ground that it didn't devastate all her property. But her family did lose a car in the hurricane, and the Mississippi gulf coast received the brunt of the storm - that's where Katrina hit land the hardest.

"It's a different kind of hurricane experience than what happened in New Orleans," he continues, "where the levees broke and the New Orleans flooding did most of the damage. But Ellen has a lot of stories to tell, and she's been very helpful to the cast in a dramaturgical kind of way, helping them understand the devastation."

The play, a 2007 piece created by Lisa Brenner and Suzanne Trauth, has certainly been useful in that regard, too. Katrina: The K Word was developed through transcripts of interviews conducted with survivors of the New Orleans flooding, with the stories of 12 residents telling the collective tale of those who tried to escape the storm, those who chose to stay, and everyone forced to deal with Katrina's nightmarish repercussions.

"I found the script a couple years back," says Coussens, "and I've had some interest in testimonial theatre and devised work for a while now. So I brought this play to the students and encouraged them to use it as the piece they collaborated on. They all read it and liked it and wanted to go ahead with it, and I think, as a result, they've learned a lot about Katrina."

The course's dozen on- and off-stage participants - Debo Balogun, Payton Brasher, Sarah Crawford, Lauren Davis, Ruki Girish, Jessica Holzknecht, Keith Johnsen, Leo Nguyen, Keenan Odenkirk, Joshua Pride, Kai Steward, and Tierra Watkins - are also learning a lot more.

"Basically, everybody is involved in all the decisions that are made," says Coussens. "But different people in the class take leadership in terms of various areas of production, design, directing - that kind of thing. We're also doing this in collaboration with another class this year, which is the Lighting & Sound Design class. So it really is an all-student production," even if much of their Katrina: The K Word education is coming via the faculty.

"The dialogue, and the characters' descriptions, and the images, I think, make it all more real for them," Coussens says. "But one of the things Ellen did for us was she provided a couple of old VHS tapes that had news coverage from the Mississippi gulf coast, and we transferred those to digital format. So the students are now using the newscast footage as part of the pre-show, and maybe even some of it during the play itself."

Yet for all of the tragedy attached to Katrina, and to the script for Augustana's latest production, Dixon says the experience of the play isn't without uplift and hope. "Without the kindness of others and the community working together," she says, "nothing would have gotten done."

Katrina: The K Word will be performed in Potter Theatre (Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts, 3701 Seventh Avenue, Rock Island) Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, and more information and tickets are available by calling (309)794-7306 or visiting Augustana.edu/arts.

 

 

Victoria MaxwellEvents

The Vera French Foundation's "Through My Eyes" Series

Sunday, February 8, through Saturday, February 13

 

Beginning February 8, Davenport's Vera French Foundation - established to help promote awareness of, and remove stigmas about, mental illness - will host a week-long series of area events and activities under the banner "Through My Eyes." One of them, offered by mental-health worker and national speaker Victoria Maxwell, will be a humorous presentation titled "That's Just Crazy Talk." And here I thought that was just the title of my publisher's not-so-humorous presentation every time I ask for a raise.

An award-winning performer, researcher, and writer for Psychology Today who authors the periodical's blog "Crazy for Life: Escapades of a Bipolar Princess," Maxwell will deliver her one-woman program "That's Just Crazy Talk" on Wednesday, February 11, in the Bettendorf High School auditorium. Described by Vera French's Web site as "a brave, funny, and compelling look at experiencing, surviving, and coming to terms with mental illness," this touring sensation finds Maxwell describing, in sometimes harrowing and sometimes hilarious detail, her experiences after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, anxiety, and psychosis at age 25. And given that Maxwell has 20 years of playwriting experience under her belt - and can boast professional collaborations with John Travolta, David Duchovny, and Johnny Depp - I'm betting she might have an amusing story or two to share.

The following day, Maxwell will be the special guest at Davenport's Figge Art Museum, delivering a 1 p.m. presentation titled "Improving Outcomes: Enhancing Motivation & Removing Barriers to Recovery." Designed primarily for psychologists, mental-health counselors, and other allied health providers, Maxwell's Figge program will cover such topics as defining recovery, identifying barriers to adherence, and aligning treatment with wellness tools, all delivered with the intelligent and humane approach that has made her a popular touring speaker throughout America, Canada, England, and New Zealand.

Patrick J. KennedyYet Maxwell isn't the only famous figure on hand during "Through My Eyes" week, because February 8 brings with it an evening with Patrick J. Kennedy, who served 16 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, co-founded the national coalition One Mind for Research, and happens to be the son of Ted Kennedy and nephew of JFK. Appearing at 6 p.m. at Davenport's Adler Theatre, this night co-sponsored by the Vera French Foundation and UnityPoint Health will find Kennedy discussing his myriad accomplishments in the field of mental health - particularly his authorship of the Mental Health Parity & Addiction Equality Act of 2008, the piece of legislation that provides tens of millions of Americans who were previously denied health care with access to mental-health treatment.

And wrapping up the "Through My Eyes" series, Davenport's Hotel Blackhawk will be the place to go on February 13, when Vera French hosts a 7 p.m. Gold Room party complete with music, hors d'oeuvres, raffles, and community spirit, all blended under the banner titled "Celebration of Mental Health & Happiness." I must say it's taking place in a smart location, because if you can't find happiness in a venue that features a spa, a beignet shop, and a bowling alley, where on Earth can you?

For more information on all the events in the Vera French Foundation's "Through My Eyes" series, visit VeraFrenchMHC.org. For more on the series' guest speakers, visit VictoriaMaxwell.com and PatrickJKennedy.net.

 

 

What Else Is Happenin' ...?

 

MUSIC

Thursday, February 5 - Bob Marley Birthday Bash. Tribute concert in honor of the late reggae musician's February 6 birthday, featuring sets by Natty Nation, DJ Trichrome, and Firesale. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 8 p.m. $9.50-10. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.

Friday, February 6, and Friday, February 13 - Battle of the Bands: Rounds Two and Three. Competition featuring 45-minute sets of original music, with Battle Red, Waking Robots, and Carsick Radio on February 6, and Silent Redemption, Jaiguru, and Condor & Jaybird on February 13. Rock Island Brewing Company (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 9 p.m. For information, call (309)793-4060 or visit RIBCO.com.

Friday, February 6 - Ellis Kell Band 25th-Anniversary Show. Local blues and roots musicians in their quarter-century celebration. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 8 p.m. $10. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.

Friday, February 6 - The Kinsey Report. Blues artists in a concert co-presented by the Mississippi Valley Blues Society. The Muddy Waters (1708 State Street, Bettendorf). 9 p.m. $7-10. For information, call (563)355-0655 or visit TheMuddyWaters.com. For a 2008 interview with Ralph Kinsey, visit RCReader.com/y/kinsey.

Saturday, February 7, and Sunday, February 8 - Quad City Symphony Orchestra. Mark Russell Smith conducts the fourth Masterworks concerts of the season in a repertoire featuring Michael Torke's Oracle, Mozart's Flute Concerto in G, and Bruckner's Symphony No. 4: Romantic, with guest DeMarre McGill on flute. Saturday: Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport), 8 p.m. Sunday: Augustana College's Centennial Hall (3703 Seventh Avenue, Rock Island). 2 p.m. $13.50-58. For tickets and information, call (563)322-7276 or visit QCSymphony.com.

Friday, February 7 - The Kronos Quartet: Beyond Zero (1914 - 1918). Composer Aleksandra Vrebalov's and filmmaker Bill Morrison's multimedia work commemorating the centennial of the outbreak of World War I, in a Hancher Auditorium Visiting Artists presentation. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 7:30 p.m. $10-37. For tickets and information, call (319)335-1160 or visit Hancher.UIowa.edu.

Sunday, February 8 - Dave Mason. Concert with the classic-rock singer/songwriter. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 7 p.m. $35. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.

Tuesday, February 10, and Wednesday, February 11 - Blue Man Group. Comedy, music, and technology with the blue-faced touring performers, in a Broadway at the Adler presentation. Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $39.50-67. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit AdlerTheatre.com.

Wednesday, February 11 - Gaelic Storm. Chart-topping Celtic musicians in concert. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $35. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.

Thursday, February 12 - Martina McBride. Concert with the four-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year in her Everlasting Tour. Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 8 p.m. $48-84. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit AdlerTheatre.com.

Friday, February 13 - A Damn Good Time Vol. 9. Music, art, dance, and more with Patio, Rude Punch, Gain the Wolf, Austin Fillmore, MC Squared, the Blacklights, Gong Boat, DJ Jevity, Mike Wlkr, Fire in the Sky, and more. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 8 p.m. $10. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.

Friday, February 13 - The Terell Stafford Quintet. Concerts with the trumpet player and his ensemble, in a Hancher Auditorium Visiting Artists presentation. The Mill (120 East Burlington Street, Iowa City). 7 and 9:30 p.m. $10-30. For tickets and information, call (319)335-1160 or visit Hancher.UIowa.edu.

Saturday, February 14 - Florida Georgia Line. Platinum-selling country artists in their Anything Goes Tour, performing with special guests Thomas Rhett and Frankie Ballard. i wireless Center (1201 River Drive, Moline). 7:30 p.m. $37.75-57.75. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit iwirelessCenter.com.

Saturday, February 14 - Smooth Jazz Valentine's Concert. Great Sounds Productions presents an evening with pianist Bobby Lyle and guitarist Chuck Loeb, with dinner, raffle drawings, a silent auction, and more. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 5:30 p.m. dinner, 8 p.m. show. $145-165 per couple, $45 show only. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.

Saturday, February 14 - The B-52s. Chart-topping pop musicians of "Love Shack" in concert. Riverside Casino Event Center (3184 Highway 22, Riverside). 8 p.m. $50-65. For tickets and information, call (877)677-3456 or visit RiversideCasinoAndResort.com.

Saturday, February 14 - An Enchanting Evening. Dinner and concert event featuring performances by Brooke Byam, JaCi Leigh, Dustin Weiss, Angie Ruley, and the Doctor & the Drifter Band. Ohnward Fine Arts Center (1215 East Platt Street, Maquoketa). 4:30-6:30 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. show. $23-28, or $13-18 show only. For information and tickets, call (563)652-9815 or visit OhnwardFineArtsCenter.com.

Saturday, February 14 - The Pedrito Martinez Group. Latin-jazz artist and his ensemble in a concert co-presented by the Englert Theatre. The Mill (120 East Burlington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $10-20. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.

Saturday, February 14, and Sunday, February 15 - Nova Singers: Journeys & Transformations. Laura Lane directs the professional vocal ensemble's winter concert. Friday - Knox College's Kresge Recital Hall (2 East South Street, Galesburg). Saturday - St. Paul Lutheran Church of Davenport (2136 Brady Street). 4 p.m. $15-18, students free. For tickets and information, call (309)341-7038 or visit NovaSingers.com.

Sunday, February 15 - Sweet Dreams & Honky Tonks. Tom Waselchuk and Jami Lampkins perform a tribute to Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, and Johnny Cash, and tell stories of their lives and careers. Central Performing Arts Center (519 East 11th Street, DeWitt). 3 p.m. $40 dinner and show tickets, $10-28 show only. For tickets and information, call (563)249-8541 or visit CentralPerformingArtsCenter.org.

 

THEATRE

Thursday, February 5, through Sunday, February 15 - Good Kids. Naomi Iizuka's drama about a casual sexual encounter gone wrong, directed by Alan MacVey. University of Iowa's David Thayer Theatre (200 North Riverside Drive, Iowa City). Wednesdays through Saturdays 8 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m. $5-18. For tickets and information, call (319)335-1160 or visit Theatre.UIowa.edu.

Friday, February 6, through Sunday, February 8 - God of Carnage. The Pearl City Players' presentation of Yasmina Reza's Tony-winning comedy, directed by David Lane. Muscatine Community College's Bob Roach Little Theatre (152 Colorado Street, Muscatine). Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $10. For tickets and information, call (563)288-6001.

Tuesday, February 10 - National Theatre Live: Of Mice & Men. An HD screening of the John Steinbeck play, starring James Franco and Tony nominee Chris O'Dowd. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 7 p.m. $15-18. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.

Friday, February 13, through Sunday, February 15 - Black Comedy and The Real Inspector Hound. City Circle Acting Company of Coralville's productions of Peter Shaffer's and Tom Stoppard's one-act farces, directed by Liz Tracey and Krista Neumann. Coralville Center for the Performing Arts (1301 Fifth Street, Coralville). Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. For tickets and information, call (319)248-9372 or visit CoralvilleArts.org.

Saturday, February 14, through Sunday, February 22 - Little Red Riding Hood. Stage version of the Brothers Grimm story, adapted by Roger Pavey Sr. Davenport Junior Theatre (2822 Eastern Avenue, Davenport). Saturdays 1 & 4 p.m., Sundays 3 p.m. $5-7 at the door. For information, call (563)326-7862 or visit DavenportJuniorTheatre.com.

 

DANCE

Thursday, February 12, through Saturday, February 14 - UI Faculty/Graduate Dance Concert. Vignettes choreographed and performed by dance-department professors and graduate students. University of Iowa's Space/Place Theatre (20 Davenport Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $6-12. For tickets and information, call (319)335-1160 or visit Hancher.UIowa.edu.

 

COMEDY

Saturday, February 14 - Scott Long's Valentine's Day Comedy Showcase. Dating and marriage "advice" with the nationally touring comedian and University of Iowa alum. The Backroom Comedy Theater (1510 North Harrison Street, Davenport). 9 p.m. $10-12. For information and tickets, call (309)781-9617 or visit BlacklistComedy.com.

Saturday, February 14 - Shots to the Heart: Terrible Tales of Dating Disasters. My Verona Productions' comedic stories of love, lust, and dating gone wrong, featuring WQAD's Jason Fechner and 104.9's Joni Mitchell. Circa '21 Speakeasy (Circa '21 Speakeasy, 1818 Third Avenue, Rock Island). 7:30 p.m. $10-12. For tickets and information, call (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visit Circa21.com.

 

MOVIE

Tuesday, February 17 - Treasures of Taiwan. A screening in the World Adventure Series presented by filmmaker Buddy Hatton. Putnam Museum (1717 West 12th Street, Davenport). 1 and 7 p.m. $6.50-8.50. For tickets and information, call (563)324-1933 or visit Putnam.org.

 

EXHIBIT

Saturday, February 14, through Sunday, March 15 - David Houk: Bind. Exhibit of paintings on family, relationships, and personal identity by the Davenport artist and art educator. L&D15 (520 West Second Street, Davenport). 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. Free admission. For information, call (563)484-0415 or visit LAndD15.com.

 

EVENTS

Thursday, February 5 - Walt Whitman's Lincoln. Brian "Fox" Ellis re-creates a presentation Whitman delivered on the life of Abraham Lincoln. Moline Public Library (3210 41st Street, Moline). 6:30 p.m. Free. For information, call (309)524-2470 or visit MolineLibrary.com.

Friday, February 6, through Sunday, February 8 - Iowa-Illinois Regional Auto Show. Annual showcase for new and classic cars, with patrons receiving a free one-year subscription to Motor Trend magazine with admission. Davenport RiverCenter (136 East Third Street, Davenport). Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $3-8. For information, call (563)326-8500 or visit RiverCtr.com.

Friday, February 7, through Monday, February 9 - Quad Cities Builders & Remodelers Association Home Show. Thirty-sixth annual show featuring vendors, displays, presentations, and more. QCCA Expo Center (2621 Fourth Avenue, Rock Island). Friday noon-8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $5-7, ages 16 and under free. For information, call (309)788-5912 or visit QCCAExpoCenter.com.

Saturday, February 7 - Make-a-Wish Iowa Dinner, Dance, & Auction. Annual event themed "Winter Wonderland," featuring a silent auction and cocktails at 5:30 p.m., and a dinner, presentation, and live auction at 7:30 p.m. Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center (2021 State Street, Bettendorf). $90/person, $700/table of eight. For tickets and information, call (563)529-4335 or visit Iowa.Wish.org.

Thursday, February 12, through Sunday, February 15 - 2015 Outdoor Show. Annual event featuring seminars, presentations, vendors, children's activities, and more. QCCA Expo Center (2621 Fourth Avenue, Rock Island). Thursday 4-8 p.m., Friday noon-8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $1-7. For information, call (309)788-5912 or visit QCCAExpoCenter.com.

Tuesday, February 17 - Mardi Gras Rajun Cajun Fest. Eleventh-annual event featuring Cajun-inspired appetizers, entrees and desserts prepared by area chefs, with proceeds benefiting the museum's outreach programs. Figge Art Museum (225 West Second Street, Davenport). 5:30 - 8 p.m. $25-30. For tickets and information, call (563)326-7804 or visit FiggeArtMuseum.org.

Tuesday, February 17, and Wednesday, February 18 - Shen Yun. Stage journey through ancient dynasties with animated backdrops, ethnic and folk dances, aerial acrobatics, and more. Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $52-122. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit AdlerTheatre.com.

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