ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y., April 24, 2006 — The St. Bonaventure chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, the national theater honor society, recently sponsored a trip to the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Fifteen students and faculty attended a performance of Shaw’s “Arms and the Man” in the Festival Theater, then met over dinner to discuss the play.
The chapter has sponsored trips to theaters before including performances at Studio Arena and the Ujima Theater in Buffalo, and the Shaw Festival.
“This was by far the largest group we’ve had for a theater trip,” said Stephen Schrader, president of the SBU chapter. “It’s encouraging to have this sort of response for live theater.”
Dr. Ed. Simone, the chapter’s faculty adviser, said the trip had an academic purpose as well.
“When students see theater of this quality they understand what our theater program at SBU strives for,” Simone said. “The texts they read in class and the production work they do are informed by the amazing level of professional work they experience at the Shaw.”
In addition to sponsoring theater trips, the SBU chapter of Alpha Psi Omega regularly ushers Quick Center for the Arts performances, and members have assisted in many University arts and administration events.
The chapter welcomed four new members — Lizz Schumer, Ben Gregg, Sarah Schummer and Matt Orsini — in a ceremony at 6 p.m. Monday, May 1, in the Garret Theater.
For information about St. Bonaventure's chapter the national theater honor society, visit our Alpha Psi Omega page.