Theatre department announces upcoming season performances

The Theatre Department, in conjunction with the freshmen convocation theme of health and wellness, announces a season entitled “To Your Health!” The theme is a reference to the traditional wedding toast and boasts a season filled with shows about weddings and other ceremonies.

The Theatre Department serves majors, minors and the entire campus and community at large. Students do not have to be theatre majors to get involved as auditions are open to everyone. An interest meeting will be held at the Campus Black Box Theatre on Aug. 16 at 5 p.m. for those wanting to get involved onstage or backstage.

The season will open in September with the National Pillars Playwriting winner Richard Manley whose play “Life is Mostly Straws” explores the idea of faith in oneself and in relationships. In an innovative twist, the classic “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare will be produced as an interactive show in November featuring the debauched wedding of Gertrude and Claudius in an environmental setting where the audience participates.

In February, the department presents the musical “The Wedding Singer” about the New Jersey rock-star wannabe Robbie Hart, played in the film version by Adam Sandler. Dance concerts will include “The Nutcracker” in December and the Dance Minor Concert in April.

 

 

This year, the department features three Senior Capstones. Student Anna Gruber will direct “Gruesome Playground Injuries” in February. Student Erica Mandato will direct “The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)” , and student Joseph Whidby will direct “Doubt” in March. Of course, the theatre department continues to collaborate with the creative writing department to produce our famous “Arts and Letters Play” in March and the 24 Hour Plays in April.

Our guest artists include Firehouse Theatre from London in February and performance artist James Luna in March in collaboration with the art department.