Nearly nine years after he first played 20th-century artist Mark Rothko, to launch the QC Theatre Workshop, Mike Schulz returns this week to launch the new season of Mississippi Bend Players, acting opposite a fellow MBP veteran in the one-act “Red” by John Logan. In the 2010 Tony winner for Best Play, master abstract expressionist Rothko (1903-1970) has just landed the biggest commission in the history of modern art, a series of murals for New York’s famed Four Seasons restaurant in the late ‘50s. In the two fascinating years that follow, Rothko works feverishly with his young assistant,... Read More

Shelley Cooper came full circle last week at the prestigious Orlando Fringe Festival in Florida, and came home Tuesday with an unexpected award. The multi-talented, 35-year-old Augustana assistant professor of theatre arts earned the Fringe Critic’s Choice for Best Individual Performance, Drama, for her one-woman show, “La Divina: The Last Interview of Maria Callas.” “I was completely shocked that I won,” Cooper said Wednesday. “I mean like to the point that I was waiting, maybe I would be nominated for solo show or this or that, and then when those got announced, I started walking... Read More

Do you have a passion for writing? Would you like to shine a spotlight on the POSITIVE things going on in the Quad-Cities? Would you like to go to concerts and events for FREE and write about them? Well, QuadCities.com is looking for interns for the summer and beyond into the school year! We’re seeking people interested in writing, podcasting and doing vlogs and video shows for our website covering the arts and entertainment scene and positive news in the Quad-Cities.  We’re also looking for potential interns to sell advertising and work with advertising clients, if that’s something... Read More

The Augustana College Department of Theatre Arts will present “One Flea Spare,” directed by Jennifer Popple, Thursday through Sunday, May 6 to 9, at Brunner Theatre Center, 3750 7th Ave., Rock Island. Darkly comic and deeply moving by turns, “One Flea Spare” is set in plague-ravaged 17th-century London, where social roles and the boundaries that describe them have turned upside down. The definition of morality is up for grabs. Upper and lower class are forced to live in quarantine together and the secrets and sins of the four shut-ins are laid bare. The social hierarchy collapses, and... Read More

Isabel Dawson, a 2020 Augustana College graduate, wears many hats – which each reflect her many skills in theater and business. The bright, enthusiastic 23-year-old, who did a lot of theater in high school in Normal, Ill., is the new assistant executive director for Genesius Guild and is helping assemble this summer’s abridged schedule of three productions outside in Rock Island’s Lincoln Park. Doug Tschopp has been executive director for about 15 years, involved in Genesius for 25 years, and worked closely with Dawson at Augie, where she majored in theater and business management. “I just... Read More

Augustana College is offering a virtual performance of the children’s play “Dragons Love Tacos,” directed by Jackie McCall, on Saturday, April 17. Based on the popular children’s book, this colorful, dance filled romp is equal parts silly and sensational; all the ingredients you need to whip up a fantastic time for the whole family. “We hope our audience members, young and old, will recognize parts from Adam Rubin’s well-known children’s book and fall in love with playwright Ernie Nolan’s wacky new additions to the story.” McCall said in a recent release. The performance... Read More

QuadCities.com is looking for interns! The top arts and entertainment site in the Quad-Cities, QuadCities.com is seeking ambitious and energetic high school and college writers, podcasters and vloggers to produce stories, podcasts and videos on the local and national arts and entertainment scene. School credit is available, as well as free tickets to various events and other perks. Interested? Send your resume and a message telling me why you’d be awesome in the job to Sean@QuadCities.com!  Read More

Augustana College, Rock Island, has received a $298,827 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and has hired a new program director for sexual violence prevention and education — Zachary Draves. In this role, Draves will work with others from across campus to coordinate and enhance Augustana’s response to sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.  The grant period covers three years. “The DOJ requires that campuses who are funded with a grant develop and implement targeted and campus-wide initiatives for students, faculty, staff and administration to address... Read More

The Quad City Playwrights’ Festival is now accepting submissions for 2021. The festival will be held virtually this year. Submissions must be an original work, 10-minutes in length, a maximum of 10 pages, authored by one individual who resides in the Quad Cities area or is an Augustana student or graduate. No adaptions or excerpt scripts from larger works will be accepted. The script may be any genre. As virtual plays have become an established medium, both scripts written to be performed online and those meant for the stage are welcomed. A committee will adjudicate submissions and a select... Read More

The beloved Stephen Sondheim musical “Into the Woods” – done at Augustana College this past weekend for very limited, campus-only audiences – was a cathartic, unprecedented experience for its young performers. The emotional 1987 musical, combining classic fairy tales and an original story about a baker and his wife, is full of longing, doubt, adventure, danger, hope, grief and perseverance in normal times. But of course, these aren’t normal times, and in the first partnership among Augie’s musical theater, opera and orchestral programs, the student actors found the fantastical tale... Read More