Clarke Announces New Theatre Director In Residence, Spring Production
Clarke University is proud to announce Colin Muenster ’08 as the new Theatre Director in Residence. Muenster is an alumnus of the Drama program at Clarke and has served as cast and crew for Clarke Theatre productions – both as a student and later as a community member.
“We are thrilled to bring Colin on board as the new Theatre Director in Residence here at Clarke University,” said Joe Klinebriel, Professor of Drama and Chair of the Arts at Clarke Committee. “Colin brings a wealth of experience and creative vision to the position, and we couldn’t be more excited about his potential to help shape the future of Clarke Theatre and its offerings for internal and external involvement.”
Prior to this role, Muenster served as the Enterprise Architect with the Information Technology Office at Clarke. He also spent five years at Wahlert Catholic High School teaching English, theatre, and video production, as well as serving as the Director of Theatre Arts.
“Some of my favorite productions have been “The Phantom of the Opera” at Wahlert and “A Year with Frog and Toad” at Clarke, both shows that are well known, but we were able to do some unique things with,” Muenster said. “There have been difficult setbacks for Clarke Theatre in the past, and in this new role I seek to reaffirm that Clarke Theatre is alive, that we retain a strong bond to the arts, and that we welcome alumni and the community to share that with us.”
For his first production, Muenster has chosen the psychological drama “Gwen and Gwen”. Written by Nancy Kiefer, the play follows protagonist Gwen as she is released from psychiatric care and seeks to re-establish her life, identity, and relationships. Throughout the play, she is tormented by an alter-ego urging her towards self-destruction.
“’Gwen and Gwen’ touches on themes like brain health, social work, and other topics that are relevant to society today. It presents an opportunity to take ideas beyond the performance and generate some real conversations in our community,” Muenster said.
That will be a driving force for many of our productions moving forward – finding new avenues and opportunities to engage the community, both in terms of those attending and in organizations that we can partner with to entertain and inform the region.
“Gwen and Gwen” features performances April 7-9 at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee at 2 p.m. on April 10. All performances are in Terence Donaghoe Hall at Clarke University. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 seniors, and $5 for non-Clarke students. More information is available at https://clarke.edu/artsatclarke/.