2008 Woodie Awards
Vote Absentee
Making good impressions
Alumni producers return to R-N for "The Lady of the Dark Sonnets"
Jesus Ron
Issue date: 10/30/07 Section: Life & Leisure
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Liza Hataf and Mario Corrales graduated from R-N as theater majors where they were deeply inspired by teachers Dan Drew, Eric Johnson and Ryan Ginter, now after years of struggling to start their own production company the seasoned thespians have returned to give back and offer their own inspiration.
Co-directors Corrales and Hataf are working alongside faculty, students and other alumni to produce "The Dark Sonnets of the Lady" a play written by Don Nigro.
Along with Rodney Reyes and Anna Payumo (both play the two lead roles in the play) they compose Cuchipinoy, a production company that has produced at least a dozen off broadway plays.
After years of struggle and fulfillment Cuchipinoy decided the time had come to repay an old promise they made to their former professors.
They are doing much more than just producing the play. The proceeds from the play are going to be used for a scholarship fund that will help an aspiring theater major at R-N.
Also the family of alumni Mariclare Mullane, one of the actresses in the play, donated a substantial amount of money to help renovate the lobby in Bradley Hall adjacent to the theater.
A reception for the lobby was held before the plays Saturday night performance.
"Coming back felt so weird, there is this huge sense of nostalgia." Punaya said. "It's so cool to work with the people who trained us but now we are coming back with all this experience."
During a dress rehearsal Corrales and Hataf also offered to share some of their experiences just before they gave the actor's some notes on their performance.
During the conversation they talked almost in unison, constantly finishing each other's thoughts.
"When we were students Dan (Drew) always talked to us about coming back and doing some plays," Morales said. and almost immediately afterwards Hataf nodding joined in.
"We wanted to offer something to this school for a long time, the whole experience was very exciting…"
Co-directors Corrales and Hataf are working alongside faculty, students and other alumni to produce "The Dark Sonnets of the Lady" a play written by Don Nigro.
Along with Rodney Reyes and Anna Payumo (both play the two lead roles in the play) they compose Cuchipinoy, a production company that has produced at least a dozen off broadway plays.
After years of struggle and fulfillment Cuchipinoy decided the time had come to repay an old promise they made to their former professors.
They are doing much more than just producing the play. The proceeds from the play are going to be used for a scholarship fund that will help an aspiring theater major at R-N.
Also the family of alumni Mariclare Mullane, one of the actresses in the play, donated a substantial amount of money to help renovate the lobby in Bradley Hall adjacent to the theater.
A reception for the lobby was held before the plays Saturday night performance.
"Coming back felt so weird, there is this huge sense of nostalgia." Punaya said. "It's so cool to work with the people who trained us but now we are coming back with all this experience."
During a dress rehearsal Corrales and Hataf also offered to share some of their experiences just before they gave the actor's some notes on their performance.
During the conversation they talked almost in unison, constantly finishing each other's thoughts.
"When we were students Dan (Drew) always talked to us about coming back and doing some plays," Morales said. and almost immediately afterwards Hataf nodding joined in.
"We wanted to offer something to this school for a long time, the whole experience was very exciting…"
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