The Through Line: Fall 2016

Anders Peterson is here to make politics fun, and funny, again. Anders, who is a BA earning his degree in English and Political Science, is directing the first show of the UTS season, Debate (an Improvised Comedy). This full-length improvised performance takes the structure of the presidental debates we know so well, and turns them on their head. Two fictionalized presidential candidates go head to head on issues, and at the end of the performance, the audience has to elect the next leader of the United States of America.  As someone who follows politics closely, Anders couldn't help but draw comparisons between politics, theatre, and improv. Hence, in the thick of one of the most heated presidential elections in recent history, Anders and six undergraduate improvisers are dissecting, examining, and satirizing our modern politcal platform. 

BR: Tell me a little about where you got your idea for this show. 

AP: So my friend is a member of the UTS board and she encouraged me to apply because she knew I was interested in pitching a longer form improv show and I was thinking what am I connected to and plugged into and I thought ‘everyday its constantly new news about this election so I thought let’s do something with that. However I wanted to pick a specific moment or element within an election cycle because presidential election cycles at this point are about two years long. I was thinking about the moments that stick out and actually matter,...

Professor L. Zane Jones is staying busy this year. Before she directs Sarah Ruhl's Orlando for the School of Drama mainstage this spring, she is directing the revolutionary new opera As One. As One tells the story of a transwoman's journey to self-understanding. With only two singers, and performing at Washington Hall in Seattle's central district, this intimate experience will be an entirely new type of opera for many. 

BR: Tell me a little bit more the origin of this project.

ZJ: As One the opera was developed at [Brooklyn Academy of Music] in the new opera development program, and premiered there in 2014. Last year, Kelly Kitchens, who is a director in town who I have befriended her during my time here, contacted me because she was working at the Seattle Opera in the community engagement and outreach program. Barbara Jameson, who is the director of the community engagement and outreach program, wanted to meet with me and Kelly said “we have this thing, we want to see if you are interested in.” [As One] is the first in what is going to be a series for them of community engagement projects - smaller operas, that are performed in different parts of the town, so they are engaging communities that the Opera doesn’t engage with people who wouldn’t usually come to see opera. To do work that is diverse, other kinds of stories, they want to broaden the base of the types of stories they are telling...