The Purpose
The word stalwart, according to Merriam Webster, means "marked by outstanding strength of body, mind, and spirit." Stalwart Theatre Programs aims to promote these characteristics in youth and young adults through the medium of theatre. Theatre can challenge you to look inward at yourself discovering not only talents, but also passion and convictions. I cannot tell you how much I have grown and been challenged simply by being in a play. There is so much more involved in theatre than pretending to be someone else. The process of knowing a character lends itself to being a strong tool for knowing yourself, and those around you. By reading, analyzing, and producing plays written in our time and those of times past, we can examine our society and others, and seek out how we can be valuable citizens of our community and country. As I instruct students in the art of theatrical performance, and other forms of verbal communication I strive to challenge them in their personal growth, and in their view of the world and the people in it. It is my vision that everyone who participates in a Stalwart program leaves knowing themselves a little bit more.
The Program
Stalwart Theatre Programs aims to produce two shows a year. Our summer drama typically auditions in May/June, and performs early August. We also produce a comedy during the school year. Visit the "Productions" page for information about out current production.
Stalwart provides a variety of opportunities in the area of theatre and public speaking. There are three theatre classes offered at various times. The primary course offered is an acting class (Intermediate/Advanced Acting) geared for students 13 and older who have had some prior acting experience. The second class offered (Beginning Theatre) is for anyone who is interested in theatre ages 10 to 14. We also offer a supplemental course designed for advanced performers, and students interested in oral interpretation and solo performances (Solo Performance). Tuition for each class is $90 for an eight week class.
We also offer on occasion a week long theatre workshop.
Other opportunities include seminars in both theatre and public speaking. We can cater each seminar to the needs of the audience. Past seminars have been on topics as broad as competitive forensics, and beginning public speaking, to more narrow subjects such as competitive oral interpretation, and competitive public address. Typically these are a one day workshop, but scheduling is flexible allowing a variety of options for these events.
The People
Any production could not be successful without countless volunteers. The Director of Stalwart Theatre programs, Eric Mishne, is excited when people step up to help with the many responsibilities of putting on a show.
Eric Mishne graduated from Cedarville University in 2008 with a degree in theatre. His theatre experience comes from several years of middle-school and high-school productions, as well as involvement in over a dozen productions at Cedarville. Eric has experience on stage as a actor, as well as behind the scenes involvement in set design, costume design, and stage managing, to name a few. As a public speaker, he won countless awards in high-school competitions, and also competed on the state champion Cedarville University Forensics Team for three years. He has coached high-school forensics for South West Argumentation Team(SWAT) in the Xenia/Springfield area for 7 years. In the 2010-11 speech season on both the collegiate and high-school level,Eric has coached numerous tournament champions in Impromptu Speaking, Extemporaneous Commentary, Prose Interpretation, POI, and Impromptu Apologetics, and finalists in Prose Interpretation, Rhetorical Criticism, and Persuasive Speaking, Duo Interpretation, and Poetry Interpretation.
Eric spends his spare time playing guitar and singing at open mics, hiking and camping, and traveling the country. He has worked with youth for four years at Camp Brookwoods and Deer Run in Alton, New Hampshire, and serves actively at Covenant Church in Galloway.