CLUB SPOTLIGHT: Liva Arts Company

In an occasional series, Royal News spotlights clubs from the university’s 80+ student organizations on campus, speaks to members, and offers information on how to connect with the clubs.

To suggest suggest a club for a future Royal News article, share ideas, or to inform us of any upcoming club events, please email RoyalNews@scranton.edu or Gabriella.petti@scranton.edu

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Club: Liva Arts Company
Connect: @livaartscompany
Meet: Amanda Lamphere '23, shown inset below, a mathematics and computer science major, is president of Liva Arts Company. She and club member Thomas Kennedy '24, shown inset at bottom, discuss their favorite aspects of the production, the club and The University of Scranton.

Liva Arts Company will present “Curtains,” a musical comedy whodunnit, April 20 - 22. Performances will take place Thursday and Friday, 8 p.m. and Saturday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Royal Theater, McDade Center. Admission is free for undergraduate students, $5 otherwise.
Visit https://livaartscompany.ludus.com to reserve tickets. Email livaartscompany@gmail.com with questions.

By: Gabriella Petti ’24, student correspondent

Q: What surprised you about this play and role, and live performance in general?
"How funny it is. In choosing the musical I wanted to propose this semester, I knew that I wanted something more lighthearted coming off of our production of 'Rent,' that included many heavy themes. ... In rehearsals, I constantly find myself laughing at new jokes or picking up lines I did not pay attention to before. The writers of this show created a very intellectually humorous show with lots of musical theater references. Yet, somehow they managed to make it suspenseful."

Q: How do you spend time during a five-minute break during rehearsal?

"During a five-minute break at rehearsal, you will usually find me either checking in with my assistant director Madi Borys or taking time with my friends in the cast. Sometimes you might even find me wandering to the basement to check in on what our amazing stage crew is building!"

Q: When did your involvement with the arts begin? Please explain what inspired your interest in the theater.

"My dad is involved in a theater community and had me involved by the time I was three. I love being able to perform for a group and know that I can take them into another world for awhile. My interest really picked up in my teenage years when I did a lot of musicals, from school to camps to community theater groups. My senior year of high school I had the opportunity to take on a directorial role for the first time and have been in love with it ever since. There is something special about seeing what you envision in your head come to life!"

Q: What do you enjoy most about performing with Liva Arts Company?

"Without a doubt, the community. I knew about Liva from a high school friend of mine who spoke very highly of the club before I even stepped foot on campus. Joining Liva my very first semester was by far the best decision I have made in my time here. I have made lifelong connections and created a support system that has gotten me through my college career. I have also had the distinct pleasure of serving on the board for the past three years. I am honored that I have been able to witness and be a part of the group’s growth and am excited to see how they continue to grow once I graduate!"

Q: Have you been involved in other theater productions?

"I have been in many theater productions within my time at Scranton and previously, as well. My favorite productions as a part of Liva include 'The Addams Family' and 'Rent.' In both musicals, I had the opportunity to play roles that were outside of my comfort zone and really pushed my acting abilities. My favorite production outside of Liva would have to be my high school’s production of 'Les Miserables.' As my favorite musical, it was such a fulfilling experience to be able to perform in my dream role!"

Q: What are some interests or side pursuits outside of theater?

"I love giving tours to incoming families on campus. I also enjoy my majors of mathematics and computer science, so I spend a lot of my time coding. In my free time I love crocheting and knitting! It’s a really great way to decompress from a stressful day."

Q: Aside from theater, what is your favorite aspect of The University of Scranton?

"Outside of theater at Scranton, my favorite part of the university would have to be the community. I have met so many wonderful people in my four years here, whether it be through Liva, my job in Admissions, my majors, or just related events on campus. I love being able to walk through campus and be greeted constantly by people I know. It has truly made campus a home away from home, and I will be sad to be leaving in just a few months."

Meet: Thomas Kennedy '24

Q: What is your role in "Curtains"? Please describe the character, and what you love and hate about them?

"I play Lieutenant Frank Cioffi, a detective for the greater Boston police who is assigned to solve the murder case the show is set around. Cioffi is a very good detective, but he finds the life of a police officer to be very lonely, and longs to be in the theatre."

Q: Besides yourself, which celebrity would you like to see tackle this character?

"David Hyde Pierce. He originated this role on Broadway and was really great in the part."

Q. When did your involvement with the arts begin?

"I became interested in theatre for the first time in third grade, when I saw my cousin perform the role of Count Dracula in a high school production. I have been performing pretty constantly since."

Q: What do you enjoy most about performing with Liva Arts Company?

"I enjoy performing in Liva not only because of the great shows we put on, but also because of the amazing group of people who make up this club. We have such a welcoming and friendly environment that makes it so much fun to be involved with every production."Q: What surprised you about this play and role, and live performance in general?
"What surprised me the most about this role is how well it is written, Cioffi is one of if not the most complex characters I’ve ever played in a musical."Q: Have you been involved in other theatre productions? If yes, please share details.
"I have been involved with several production here at the university, both with Liva and the University of Scranton players, including 'Clue,' 'Love/Sick,' 'The Wedding Singer,' 'The Addams Family,' 'The Drowsy Chaperone,' 'Almost Maine' and 'Little Women.'"

Q: Besides "Curtains," what are a few of your favorite stage shows?

"'The Drowsy Chaperone,' 'Little Shop of Horrors' and '12 Angry Men'."

Q: What are some interests or side pursuits outside of theatre?"I am very interested in history, and will often read or watch movies about that."Q: Aside from theatre, what is your favorite aspect of The University of Scranton?

"It is located in my hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania. I never wanted to go to far away for college and I’m very lucky that there was a great school so close by."