Thank you for your support!
This performance is made possible by arrangements with Concord Theatricals
BIOGRAPHIES
Shannon Coltrane - Actor
MARIE HELSER – STAGE MANAGER/PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
MARIE HELSER – STAGE MANAGER/PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
Shannon recently completed her Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Northern Illinois University after having completed her Masters in Drama Therapy from New York University.
Currently Shannon is living and working in Madison Wisconsin. She has directed for Children's Theatre of Madison and Edgewood High School.
Like all of us, her life has been interrupted by the pandemic. But, she had to re-arrange her wedding plans last summer and get married in a very private ceremony. She and her husband Louie will make up for it this summer with celebrations in both Wisconsin and Oregon.
MARIE HELSER – STAGE MANAGER/PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
MARIE HELSER – STAGE MANAGER/PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
MARIE HELSER – STAGE MANAGER/PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
Marie Helser is a junior transfer student at UW Milwaukee, majoring in Theater Education with a minor in American Sign Language. As a stage manager, she misses real theater very much and cannot wait to get back to it (safely and smartly). This project was a beautiful experience during the drought of art that we are all living in. Thank you to her friends and family
D COREY HELSER – PRODUCER
MARIE HELSER – STAGE MANAGER/PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
D COREY HELSER – PRODUCER
Corey has spent a lifetime in the theater and education. His first show was in middle school and he actively pursued theater in high school, Carroll College, then at the UW-Madison, receiving an MFA in Technical Theatre with an emphasis in Stage Management and Lighting Design.
After some time freelancing and touring, he settled in at Madison College as the first manager of the Mitby Theater. In addition to managerial duties Corey has also designed, built and lit most of the shows for the student productions at Madison College.
Beyond the wall of Madison College, Corey has worked as a scenic designer, technical director, and lighting designer for several local companies: American Players Theatre, Madison Rep, Madison Opera, Four Seasons Theatre, Madison Savoyards, Children’s Theatre of Madison, Dance Wisconsin and as lighting designer for Epic Systems in Verona.
PRODUCER's NOTES
Additional Information
I read On the Exhale several years ago. It's a tough show both emotionally and logistically, from restraint to memorization. And while the pandemic has put the brakes on many live projects, for me it opened up possibilities of what would otherwise be difficult to do in the theater.
Our goal here was simplicity - to let the work speak for itself. No sets, no dramatic lighting effects, no smoke - maybe a few mirrors because we recorded in a dance studio. But, we wanted to let the playwright and the actress tell the story. We didn't believe much more was needed. We hope you will attend one of the performance to see for yourself.
Disclaimer: Since I’ve been with Madison College for 32 years, it is natural to assume there is some connection. However, this project is not affiliated with Madison College, The Mitby Theater, or The Performing Arts Leadership Team at Madison College. This project was conceived, cast, costumed, designed, directed, edited, funded, and produced by me and now under the monikers of The Rankin Theatre Guild and Theater Support Services.
Thank you for your support!
D. Corey Helser
Welcome
Named in honor of May Nickel Rankin who began the theatre program at Carroll (College) University in 1896 with an inaugural production of “Richelieu” by Bulwer Lyton. She went on to establish the first theatre organization in the state of Wisconsin, and developed the curriculum for theatre arts at Carroll.