The number 20 is projected onto the red stage curtains. The voice of David Zimmerman, Executive Director of the Office of University Events and Director of the production, comes over the speaker and the DeBaun Performing Arts Center (PAC) 20th Anniversary Show begins.
Before DeBaun Auditorium was converted into a theater in 1903, it was utilized as a laboratory, a classroom, and a gym. Once the space was converted into a theater, national meetings, like the founding of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, were hosted. In 1910, the Stevens Dramatic Society (SDS) was created, and from this point the theater put on at least one production per semester. At one point in the theater’s history, it was called the Stevens Experimental Theater; new and innovative sound and lighting techniques that were used on Broadway were tested here. This theater was where the first 3D movie sound system, 3D Stereographic Sound, was developed.
In 1991, the theater closed for renovation and remained dark due to a lack of funds to complete the project. Trustee Kenneth DeBaun, Class of 1949, and his wife Grace built alumni support to raise funds to complete the remodeling. The theater was named after them in recognition of their support and leadership gift, and the doors opened again in 1998. Today, DeBaun Auditorium holds many events, including SDS productions, band and chorus performances, and even Hoboken community programs.
As the stage curtain opens, the audience sees a minimalistic stage with steps and two hanging blue and red quatrefoils, which replicate the design that lines the walls of the theater. Behind the stairs sit the keyboardist, Sue Chandler, the drummer, Jerry Ficeto, and the bass player, Tim Metz. The production consists of 12 songs in Act I and 14 songs in Act II, which are from different productions that were put on in DeBaun over the past 20 years. These productions include The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Wizard of Oz, Avenue Q, and many more. Zimmerman provides some history about not only DeBaun, but also the history of each song that is performed.
Listening to the narrations, it becomes evident that the PAC has had a significant impact on campus. Aarong Bogad, for instance, directed a number of shows in the mid-2000s for The Theater Company and for SDS. Believing that the students were missing this and would enjoy it, Bogad began Off Center, Stevens’ sketch and improv comedy group. After he directed their first performance, it became completely student written, directed, and performed like it is today. Bogad also directed The Rocky Horror Show, the musical, and the following year the involved students started a shadow cast version. “The musical was very popular, as you can imagine, and being done at Halloween, we also performed numbers from the show at different bars around Hoboken as well as the theater,” remarked Zimmerman.
Zimmerman and Kathy Gaccione ’10, Producer and Choreographer, had a wide range of shows and songs to chose from. They selected songs using a list of productions from the past 20 years and attempted to match them with the actors’ talent. “We wanted to tell the history of DeBaun PAC while still presenting a strong musical revue that everyone would enjoy. We were happily surprised that most if not all of the performers were thrilled with the songs selected for them,” commented Zimmerman. Roles in “Aquarius,” “The Elements Song,” and “The Time Warp” were all reprised by Barbara Carames, Joe Manfredonia, and Eric Anderson, respectively.
Unlike most shows, which are only performed for one weekend, this production will be performed for two weekends. Carl Russell, Director of DeBaun Performing Arts Center, pointed out that it was nice to have two weekends to perform after all the hard work that was put into the show. Following the first performance on October 6, a dinner celebration was held in Bissinger to honor various people, including Joe Schneider, Class of 1946, for his support and $10,000 donation. Julia Cahn was presented with the Linda Vollkommer Award for 2018 for having the most influence on advancing theater for 2017-2018 at Stevens Institute of Technology and DeBaun Performing Arts Center. Shawna Hawkins was presented with the Robert Reed Service Award for 2018 for volunteering her time, energy, and talent to further the performing arts at DeBaun Performing Arts Center and Stevens Institute of Technology.
Watching the rehearsals, a lot of laughter and joking around could be witnessed. Benjamin LaGue, a performer and Stevens alumnus, joked that this show was a “whirlwind of old and new faces, laughs and tears, and the right amount of flatulence.” All the joking aside, it was evident that a lot of soul and care was placed into the production. DeVon Lineman, an alumnus, expressed that he enjoyed seeing people’s faces light up with excitement and to have an impact on people when performing.
Kiera Dillon, a current Stevens student, mentioned that she enjoyed “working with these wonderful people.” She described that the process was slightly different from other shows since there was juggling of a lot of different schedules between classes and “adult jobs.” Some dance rehearsals began over the summer, but the musical rehearsals only began at the start of the academic semester.
The main focus of DeBaun PAC has changed with the interests of current students — at one point it was technical design; The Theater Company and Actors Shakespeare Company allowed students to do set, lighting, and sound design. At another point students became more interested in performing, so small readings and one act festivals were created outside of SDS and Off Center. “DeBaun PAC changes as the needs of the students change,” explained Zimmerman. “We will see where the future takes us next…”
Final performances are on October 12 and 13 at 8 p.m. in DeBaun Auditorium.
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