Corn Stock honors longtime program artist and set designer Bill … – Peoria Journal Star
Posted By admin on July 29, 2017
Leslie Renken Journal Star arts reporter @leslierenken
PEORIA Bill Nolden got the theater bug in 1957, and it never went away.
Nolden was nearing 30 when an acquaintance asked him to help fill out the chorus in Corn Stock Theatres 1957 production of Carousel.
I had one small speaking role, but I got the acting bug and decided I would come back the following year, said Nolden. I was in 'Plain and Fancy,' and I had a pretty good speaking role in that one.
Back then, Nolden worked as an artist at Block and Kuhl department store. He soon was asked to create the artwork on a few of Corn Stocks program covers. By 1968, he was doing them all.
Over the course of nearly 50 years Nolden has produced about 300 pieces of artwork for Corn Stock, including program covers, set designs, posters, and original paintings of the tent.
Though he turned 90 earlier this year, Nolden doesnt have plans to quit anytime soon.
Im done with all of the program covers for this year, and I hope to be doing them for next year, too, said Nolden, who works at a drafting table beside a window in the living room of his small apartment. He has lived at B'Nai B'Rith for 28 years.
Noldens program covers are a graphic distillation of the shows plot. Some are splashy and fun, and others are somber.
To do a single cover probably takes me five to seven hours to do the actual drawing. I dont rush, said Nolden. But if Im not familiar with the show, I have to do a lot of research thank goodness for Google.
Shows like Hello, Dolly! are easy ideas come fast and furious, said Nolden. Last years Spitfire Grill and this years Parade provided more challenge. He did a lot of research before deciding on a design.
Parade I really had to think about because its a serious show, said Nolden.
Program covers are not the only way Nolden has used his artistic talents at Corn Stock and other area theaters. For many years, he was involved in the design and building of sets, which is not unlike designing program art, said Nolden. The design of the set is also dictated by the shows theme and tone. Its a skill Nolden enjoyed perfecting over the years.
I did the set design for 'The Ladys Not for Burning' twice, once when set building was new to me, and once after Id learned how to do it," said Nolden. "They were vastly different. The set called for a large arched window. I did it realistically the first time. The second time the window was almost a suggestion more artistic rather than realistic.
Noldens apartment is filled with his artwork and mementos from the shows hes participated in. Photo albums reveal images of Nolden acting, directing and designing sets he was even on the CST board of directors for a while. On the livingroom walls are Noldens fine art paintings, including a gouache of the Peoria County Federal Building. The painting won best of show in the 48th Annual Rennick Art Show in 2012. Another award-winning piece of artwork, a 1973 full-page newspaper ad of mens fashions for Carson Pirie Scott & Co. department store, hangs in the bedroom.
Back then, we did art instead of photography, said Nolden. I did fashion illustration and furniture illustration for advertisements. Nolden worked forBlock and Kuhl, which becameCarson Pirie Scott & Co., for 33 years.
Corn Stock Theatre also haslauded Noldens work. He was the very first recipient of the Gretchen Iben Founders Award in 1978, and this year he is again being honored. A reception for Nolden is being held from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 6 in the Corn Stock Theatre Center, just south of the tent in Upper Bradley Park.
The event is open to the public, and Nolden is looking forward to seeing the many friends hes made over the years. His involvement in Corn Stock has been a big part of his life.
I love doing it, and I love the people I work with out there."
Leslie Renken can be reached at 686-3250 or lrenken@pjstar.com. Follow her on Twitter.com/LeslieRenken, and subscribe to her on Facebook.com/leslie.renken.
See original here:
Corn Stock honors longtime program artist and set designer Bill ... - Peoria Journal Star
- Non-profit wins approval for 60 affordable apartments off VFW Parkway in West Roxbury - Universal Hub - November 18th, 2019
- Category: - B'nai B'rith International - November 7th, 2019
- Departments & Careers - B'nai B'rith International - October 31st, 2019
- B'nai b'rith | Definition of B'nai b'rith at Dictionary.com - May 20th, 2019
- Overnight Summer Camp B'nai B'rith Camp - May 12th, 2019
- B'nai B'rith: the First Lodge of England, a record of fifty ... - April 17th, 2019
- B'nai B'rith International - Jewish Virtual Library - April 17th, 2019
- B'nai B'rith honors Ynet's Attila Somfalvi for series on US Jewry - April 12th, 2019
- Congregation B'nai B'rith Night of Solidarity | Edhat - November 26th, 2018
- Bnai Brith Mens Camp Association B'nai B'rith Camp - November 24th, 2018
- B'nai B'rith International - SourceWatch - November 12th, 2018
- Summer Camp FAQ B'nai B'rith Camp - October 11th, 2018
- B'nai B'rith - Temple Adas Shalom, the Harford Jewish Center - October 8th, 2018
- B'nai B'rith - en-Rightpedia - October 8th, 2018
- Fagin - Wikipedia - September 30th, 2018
- Bnai Brith | Encyclopedia.com - September 22nd, 2018
- About Us - bnaibrith.org - August 26th, 2018
- B'nai B'rith Apartments - Home | Facebook - July 25th, 2018
- B'nai B'rith UK Home - B'nai B'rith UK - June 27th, 2018
- Center for Senior Services - B'nai B'rith International - June 21st, 2018
- New York City - B'nai B'rith International - May 23rd, 2018
- B'nai B'rith Heritage Days - B'nai B'rith UK - May 22nd, 2018
- Bnai Brith Canada Housing | Lions' Gate B'nai B'rith ... - February 15th, 2018
- Senior Staff - B'nai B'rith International - February 14th, 2018
- High Holy Days 2017 Congregation B'nai B'rith - December 3rd, 2017
- Havurot Congregation B'nai B'rith - November 27th, 2017
- About Us Congregation B'nai B'rith - November 2nd, 2017
- When Nazi violence came to Cohoes - Albany Times Union - August 25th, 2017
- Catholic priest who burned cross on couple's yard in 1977 comes forward - ABC News - August 24th, 2017
- Why Do Nazis Hate Jews? - Yahoo News - August 18th, 2017
- Why Do Nazis Hate Jews? How Christian Politics Fuels Anti-Semitism in the United States - Newsweek - August 17th, 2017
- This Undercover Spy Operation Helped Foil a Nazi Plot in 1930s LA - L.A. Weekly - August 16th, 2017
- Obituaries - Noozhawk - August 11th, 2017
- John L. Smith, Tainted Money, And The Ethics Of Charitable Giving - KNPR - August 10th, 2017
- B'nai B'rith UK About BBLBIA - B'nai B'rith UK - August 5th, 2017
- Muslim Terrorists Took 134 Hostages in the Name of Allah in a 1977 Guerrilla Raid - Newsweek - August 4th, 2017
- US Jewish leaders back metal detectors on Temple Mount - Heritage Florida Jewish News - July 28th, 2017
- B'nai B'rith slams State Dept. for saying 'lack of hope' drives terrorism - Jewish Telegraphic Agency - July 23rd, 2017
- Direct Relief Elects Three New Directors to Board - PR Newswire (press release) - July 18th, 2017
- The City: Week of July 21 - Cleveland Jewish News - July 18th, 2017
- Connecting Donald Trump Dots with OC's Steve Frogue and John G. Schmitz - OC Weekly - June 27th, 2017
- 2016 - 2017 Diverse Minds Winners - B'nai B'rith International - June 23rd, 2017
- Grants available to help local nonprofits - Times Union - Albany Times Union - June 2nd, 2017
- Manvitz, Justin "Judd" - Omaha World-Herald - May 20th, 2017
- Clovis High's Hauss wins B'nai B'rith award - Fresno Bee - May 20th, 2017
- Graham Hauss of Clovis High at top of area class as B'nai B'rith winner - Fresno Bee - May 17th, 2017
- Drew Freeland, Adam Catron receive B'nai B'rith honors - Roanoke Times - May 17th, 2017
- FOR THE KIDS: B'nai B'rith Camp's Annual Spaghetti Dinner - The News Guard - May 9th, 2017
- B'nai B'rith Camp | BB Camp Bash - April 28th, 2017
- Texas House of Representatives unanimously passes anti-BDS bill - Jerusalem Post Israel News - April 22nd, 2017
- B'nai B'rith - St. Louis JCC - jccstl.com - April 12th, 2017
- B'nai B'rith International by B'nai B'rith International on ... - April 8th, 2017
- Design plans for Machon School unveiled - Wicked Local Swampscott - March 27th, 2017
- Shoe Collection Drive Winds Down After More Than 5000 Pairs Donated - wnep.com - March 25th, 2017
- Milton L. Caplan, MD - Ellwood City Ledger - March 8th, 2017
- The Philly-born talk show host who inspired Trump's wiretap tweets - Philly.com - March 8th, 2017
- 'Jewish Schindler' to receive B'nai B'rith citation - Arutz Sheva - March 7th, 2017
- Jewish centers across US targeted in 5th wave of bomb threats - BNO News - February 27th, 2017
- AJA Eighth-Grader Wins B'nai B'rith Contest - Atlanta Jewish Times - February 24th, 2017
- Springfield chapter of B'nai B'rith marks 150 years - The State Journal-Register - February 19th, 2017
- Home - B'nai B'rith Retirement Villages Limited - February 17th, 2017
- Roy Exum: 'Go Pray With Byron' - The Chattanoogan - February 6th, 2017
- Wilshire Boulevard Temple - Wikipedia - January 31st, 2017
- Charity Report - B'nai B'rith International - give.org - January 31st, 2017
- Temple B'nai B'rith | Do Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly With ... - January 15th, 2017
- Diverse Minds - B'nai B'rith International - January 4th, 2017
- Donate - B'nai B'rith International - December 28th, 2016
- B'nai Brith Canada - Wikipedia - December 5th, 2016
- B'NAI B'RITH JUSTICE UNIT - November 25th, 2016
- B'nai B'rith Apartments Rentals - Deerfield Beach, FL ... - November 23rd, 2016
- BBYO - Wikipedia - November 11th, 2016
- Anti-Defamation League - Wikipedia - October 31st, 2016
- Contact Us Congregation B'nai B'rith - October 16th, 2016
- B'nai B'rith Camp | BB Breaks - October 2nd, 2016
- Worship | Temple B'nai B'rith - October 2nd, 2016
- B'nai B'rith Europe | Facebook - September 3rd, 2016
- Israel - B'nai B'rith International - September 1st, 2016
- Welcome to the B'nai B'rith Europe website - August 26th, 2016
- Senior Living - Peoria, IL - B'Nai B'Rith Apartments - August 26th, 2016
- B'nai B'rith Parkview Apts - 400 Hudson Ave, Albany, NY ... - May 2nd, 2016
Comments