Liva Arts Company Presents 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'
Liva Arts Company will present “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” April 10-12 at the Royal Theater, McDade Center.
Director and choreographer Margaret Schairer '25 and club president and cast member Macy Hammond '25 offer behind-the-scenes perspectives.
Performances will take place at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday and at 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free for undergraduate students, $5 otherwise.
Visit https://livaartscompany.ludus.com to reserve tickets. Email livaartscompany@gmail.com with any questions.
Meet the Director: Margaret Schairer '25
Major: Early and primary education
Age: 22
Hometown: Allentown
What is your role in "Joseph"? Please describe the character and your favorite aspect of the role.
I am the director and choreographer of Joseph! As director, I oversee every detail of the creative process of the show. Assistant director Searra (VanDerveer '27) and I work together to bring our creative vision to life and make the best decisions for our creative team, cast and crew.
As choreographer, I am also responsible for choreographing and teaching all of the dances in the show. My favorite aspect of being the director and choreographer is coming up with how I want a scene or musical number to look, and watching that vision come alive during rehearsal!
How do you spend your time during a five-minute break during rehearsal?
Searra and I regroup, talk about rehearsal progress-wise. I often review the materials I have to teach and hydrate!
Please explain what inspired your interest in the theatre.
I took dance classes from the age of 3 to 16, including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, Irish tap and musical theater. When I was 15, my mom signed me up for a summer class at my local community theater because I was too quiet and needed to get outside of my comfort zone. ... It turned out, I loved theater so much that I quit dance class to continue auditioning for plays and musicals!
I never stopped loving dance. It is only fitting that my last college show is one where I am the choreographer, since dance is where I got started!
What do you enjoy most about performing with Liva?
Liva is a very unique club. Since everything that we do is completely student-run, we thrive off of hard work, dedication to putting on the best shows we can, and trust in each other. It is so important to the quality of our shows that each individual cast, crew and creative team member takes responsibility for the club and gives each show their all. Because of this, Liva members have a very special bond that is unique to every other theater company I have been involved with.
What surprised you about this play and role, and live performance in general?
I was a senior in high school in 2021, and my theater department announced that they were going to put on a virtual performance of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." I had never done high school theater at that point, but I auditioned because I missed theater during the pandemic. Performing in "Joseph" was undoubtedly the highlight of my senior year of high school, even though the show was not in front of a live audience. I have wanted to be involved in a production of "Joseph" again ever since.
This show found me at an unusual and uncertain time in my life, and I could not be more grateful to be directing my own production of it now. Some of the stylistic choices I have made for our show are actually inspired by the version back in high school.
Have you been involved in other theatre productions? If yes, please share details.
Yes! When I did community theater, I was in three junior productions, as well as two different versions of "A Christmas Carol." I was in one high school production, which was "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." I have been in eight Liva musicals including this one. I performed in six of those shows: "The Addams Family," "The Drowsy Chaperone," "Rent," "Curtains," "Children of Eden" and "Urinetown" and assistant directed / directed two: "Footloose" and "Joseph," respectively.
Besides "Joseph," what are a few of your favorite stage shows ( local, off Broadway, Broadway )?
My favorite show ever is "Once On This Island"! I also love "Spring Awakening," "Singin’ In The Rain," "Beetlejuice" and "Hair."
Aside from theatre, what is your favorite aspect of The University of Scranton?
I love the community here. It stood out to me when I was choosing a college.
Meet the President: Macy Hammond '25
Major: Occupational therapy
Age: 21
Hometown: Poughkeepsie, New York
What is your role in "Joseph"? Please describe your favorite aspect of the role.
I play a Narrator alongside Aud Munley and Delaney Bartram. We are the storytellers of the show, so we know everything that’s going to happen and get to experience the excitement alongside the audience. We set the scenes, guide the story and tell the audience what they need to know. Margaret and Searra’s vision for "Joseph" is similar to a pop concert, so expect to be singing and dancing in your seats!
I’m also president of Liva Arts Company, so I’m making things run smoothly behind the scenes. I work with the directors, board and our faculty moderator Reverend Ron McKinney to put on two musicals a year! My favorite part of this position is working with my board and building an inclusive environment. It’s always my priority to make sure everyone feels welcome and valued in our space.
Please explain what inspired your interest in the theatre.
My involvement started early as an elementary schooler in the youth cast of my high school’s production of "The Wizard of Oz." My sixth grade school production hooked me on theater and I’ve been actively involved since. The people I met, and continue to meet, have convinced me to continue with musicals. I’ve made my closest friends through theater, and the communities I’ve grown in have taught be to be undoubtedly myself.
What do you enjoy most about performing with Liva?
The friendships I’ve made. Not just performing with my cast, but also cheering each other on during a dance break, seamless run-crew transition, for a beautifully painted set and through college in general. We are completely student-run, which amazes me because as president of the club, I get to see all the moving parts and the show come together.
What surprised you about this play, role, and live performance in general?
I didn’t know much about "Joseph" before this semester, so a lot has surprised me! The music spans a wide variety of genres and styles, which is super unique. Playing a Narrator role has been a new and exciting challenge for me because I get to collaborate with Delaney and Aud, and they are two of the most talented people I know. I can’t wait to continue growing into it as we approach the show (Tech week is my favorite week of the semester!).
Live performances are always full of surprises, and that’s part of what makes them so special. No two shows are ever the same because a joke might land differently with the audience, a line delivery could change, or something unexpected could happen. Theatre has taught me to stay present. When performing, you can’t be thinking about anything else, and if you’re not enjoying it, you’re doing it wrong!
Have you seen a production of this play? If yes, what is your favorite memory?
I haven’t! This semester has pretty much been my introduction to "Joseph." Liva actually performed "Joseph" six years ago, so I’m excited for Liva alumni to see our fresh, fun take on it. Margaret and Searra’s vision for the show is creative and modern; I know they’ll love it.
What are a few of your favorite stage shows (local, off Broadway, Broadway )?
This is such a tough question and it changes often, but some of my all-time favorites are "The Lightning Thief," "Bring It On: The Musical," "Twelfth Night" and "Waitress."
Aside from theatre, what is your favorite aspect of The University of Scranton?
One of the biggest reasons I chose The University of Scranton was because it would allow me to pursue occupational therapy and still do theatre. There’s such a great balance of academics, arts and student life here, so everyone can find their place. As a tour guide and three-year member of the orientation team, I’ve loved seeing people find their place and their people here. It feels like home!
Shown from left are Aud Munley '25, Macy Hammond '25, Alex Taylor '25 and Delaney Bartram '27.
