Amherst resident James Vesey makes directorial debut

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James Vesey, here preparing to sing the National Anthem at Lock Haven University's December 2010 commencement ceremony, makes his directorial debut on October 26.

LOCK HAVEN, PA (10/14/2011)(readMedia)-- When Lock Haven University opens its fall theatre season, it will mark the directorial debut of Amherst resident James R. Vesey. "The Last Five Years," a musical look at a relationship as it begins and unravels, runs October 26, 27, 28, and 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Countdown Theatre at Sloan Fine Arts Center on the Lock Haven University Campus.

"The Last Five Years" is an intensely personal look at the relationship between a writer and an actress told from both points of view, a challenging project for any director. In his first experience as a director, Vesey is proving himself well up to the task.

A junior, Vesey is majoring in Music Education with a minor in Theatre. He performs in the LHU choirs and has been called upon to sing the National Anthem and the Lock Haven University Alma Mater at convocation and commencement ceremonies. He played the lead in LHU's spring 2011 production of the musical "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," and has demonstrated his range as an actor in other LHU productions as well, playing the role of Eddie in the comedy "Pizza Man" and the role of Mr. Taylor the dark drama "Curse of the Starving Class."

Assistant Professor of Theatre Angela Sweigart-Gallagher has high praise for the multi-talented Vesey. "James Vesey is not only a talented singer--as his strong performances in LHU's choirs and his turn as Joseph in LHU Theatre's production of 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' have already demonstrated--but he is also proving himself to be a talented director. His work on 'The Last Five Years' honors Jason Robert Brown's musical, while still pushing the play into new territory. As a professor of theatre, it is always exciting to see students challenge themselves--and James certainly is challenging himself by taking on the direction and musical direction of 'The Last Five Years.'"

Vesey commented, "The biggest challenge in directing so far has been bringing everyone together at one time. Especially students! We all have very different class and work schedules and it is, at times, extremely difficult organizing it all."

Although this is Vesey's first experience as a director, he is used to being in leadership positions. He is President of the LHU Choirs, President of the LHU University Players, President of the LHU student chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and Vice President of the LHU chapter of Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society.

Lock Haven University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), the largest provider of higher education in the commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Nearly 405,000 system alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

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