Welcome to spring quarter! This month is the time for our undergraduates to shine. Many talented actors will take to the stage in Vaclav Havel's The Beggar's Opera, directed by guest artist Wilson Milam. Mr. Milam is a Tony-nominated director and new Artistic Associate at Seattle Repertory Theatre. This is an extraordinary opportunity for our students, who are currently in the midst of working through Havel's script line by line. We are excited, as well, to be able to shine the spotlight on several of our talented BA alumni, who have founded one of Seattle's newest theatre groups. The Horse In Motion will present its first production, Martin Crimp's Attempts on Her Life, April 12-27. More details below.
The Beggar's Opera
By Vaclav Havel; translated by Paul Wilson
Directed by Wilson Milam
Previews Wednesday and Thursday, April 23-24
Opening night Friday, April 25
Runs through Sunday, May 4
Floyd and Delores Jones Playhouse
Former Czech Republic president, political dissident, and playwright Vaclav Havel borrowed characters and plot elements from the iconic 18th century The Beggar’s Opera and the more recent Three Penny Opera to create an entirely new commentary on 20th century society. This updated non-musical version of The Beggar’s Opera is set in a farcical underworld where no one can be trusted. A large cast of energetic BA students tells of a satirical society where adversaries lie, deceit is commonplace, and shifting alliances come as second nature. Nothing is quite what it seems, but irony and absurdity abound.
Meet Seattle's newest theatre company. Founded by ten recent college graduates, including many UW alums, The Horse In Motion strives "To engage our audience in new experiences that expand the traditional conception of theatre and reshape the way we interact with art, our community and the world." For its first production, The Horse In Motion presents Martin Crimp's Attempts on Her Life. Directed by Bobbin Ramsey (BA 2012, Founding Member and Artistic Director), the play is a poignant examination of identity and community that asks probing questions about international conflict, gender roles, and a changing sense of personal identity. Attempts on Her Life opens April 12 and runs through April 27 at the University Heights building.
Learn more about the genesis of The Horse In Motion by reading this introduction by Ms. Ramsey and meet the other company members here.
UW School of Drama invites you to join us for a special alumni event at Seattle Repertory Theatre’s production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? on Wednesday, April 30 at 7:30pm. School of Drama alumni will receive a discount on tickets and are invited to join us for a post-show reception in the Spirits Lounge.
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? features the talents of four School of Drama alums, actress Pamela Reed (BFA ’75), actor Aaron Blakely (MFA ‘09), costume designer Heidi Zamora (MFA ’02) and sound designer Matthew Starritt (BA ‘05). Purchase your tickets at http://www.seattlerep.org/promo/alumni.
Prince of Pears
Presented by the School of Drama BA Council
By Jacob Schiffler, UW Student and Playwright
Directed by Elizabeth Schiffler
May 1-4, 8:00 pm
Cabaret Theatre, Hutchinson Hall
Admission is free, but donations will be accepted at the door. No advance tickets.
On a journey to meet his betrothed for the first time ever, a young prince and his guide are waylaid when they find their horses missing one morning. They enter the dark and illusive Tantravelle Forest with the hopes of tracking their steeds and returning to their journey, but instead find themselves entwined in the plans of two strange women of the wood. Double-crossing, seduction, and a magic pear tree all stand in his way, but the prince’s own reluctance to embrace his future might prove to be the most insurmountable obstacle of all.
From March 6-9, several of our PhD alumni participated at the Mid-America Theatre Conference in Cleveland, OH, including Lisa Jackson-Schebetta (PhD 2010, Assistant Professor, University of Pittsburgh) who co-chaired the Theatre History Symposium, and Tamara Underiner (PhD 1997, Associate Dean for Research at the Herberg Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University) who served as the Theatre History Respondent.
Lydia Fort (MFA Directing, 2006) was named the new Executive Artistic Director of Mo'olelo Performing Arts Company. Melanie Burgess (MFA Design, 2002) designed the costumes for two spring productions at Seattle Shakespeare Company - The Importance of Being Earnest and King Lear. Quinlan Corbett (PATP, 2008) is starring in the world premiere of Eduardo Machado's Worship at Theater for the New City. And Tommy Smith's (BA, 2001) Fireman at Echo Theatre Company just wrapped to rave reviews. The...
Read moreSunday, April 13
Seattle Showcase: Professional Debut of the PATP class of 2014
April 23 - May 4
On the Main Stage: The Beggar's Opera
May 1-4
The BA Council Presents: Prince of Pears
Tuesday, May 13
Theatre from the Inside Out: New Play Reading and Dinner at the UW Club
UW Faculty member Mark Jenkins will read from his new play Red Earth, Gold Gate, Shadow Sky.
For a full list of upcoming shows and events, visit drama.uw.edu
Banner Photo: The Horse In Motion theatre company photo by Natalie Shepard.