MIZZOU NEWS

Hooray for Mizzou in Hollywood

By Nancy Moen

The Theatre District in Hollywood is the newest scene for a convergence of MU stage talent. John Senekdjian, BA ’00 theatre, is co-producing the play Burn This during the month of June and has gathered a group of alumni and faculty to stage the production.

Senekdjian, who uses the stage name John Seitzer, invited Professor Emeritus Weldon Durham to direct, Professor Jim Miller to design the costumes and B.J. Jones, BA ’00, to do production art. Actor Brent Briscoe, BA ’84 communication, who has appeared recently on the television shows Grey's Anatomy and House, has been advising, and Senekdjian himself plays a featured role.

It really is a Missouri experience because even the playwright, Lanford Wilson, lived not far from Senekdjian's hometown of Springfield, Mo. Senekdjian chose Wilson’s script because he considers it a joy to perform but “difficult, scary and beautiful” as well.

“We set out to find a piece that resonated very deeply with us,” he said. “Finding a script that moves you like that when you read it gives a very clear indication of the emotions that you could possibly draw from the audience.”

A contemporary romantic drama, Burn This premiered in Los Angeles in 1987 with John Malkovich playing the lead role of Pale.

The journey toward Senekdjian's production took six months. After casting the production, finding a theater and buying insurance, he looked no further than Mizzou for talent.

Senekdjian's allegiance to Mizzou had brought him back to campus a few years ago for an emotional reunion in theatre to honor Miller, who has been a mentor. “It was an experience I will carry with me for the entirety of my life and one that showed me the true family that is the MU theatre department,” Senekdjian said. “As I ventured into this project in Los Angeles and people from MU kept offering their support, all of those feelings came rushing back.”

Senekdjian entered MU in 1996 with the intent of eventually earning a law degree. He quickly discovered that the prospect of sitting behind a desk scared him to death, and he declared a theatre major his sophomore year. “I've always had a passion for theater, television and film,” he says. “I owe a great deal to Jim Miller for keeping me sane and believing in my talent.”

Burn This has been running since June 2 and will have its final performance, a matinee, June 26 at the Circle Theatre. Tickets are available by calling (323) 839-3629.

Alumni are invited to attend the cast party after the June 26 performance. The party will be held at Louise's Trattoria, 4500 Los Feliz Boulevard at Hillhurst Ave. Make reservations by e-mail to lopezl@missouri.edu.

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Last Update: November 15, 2007