The Arabian Nights opened to sold-out audiences this past weekend. Congratulations to the cast and crew for a beautiful production. Before the show, student-director Leah Adcock-Starr shared her vision and process with a group of patrons and supporters: "For me, it’s all about guiding the focus on stage so that it lands on the story at the heart of the play: a woman telling a story to change the heart of the man who has a knife at her throat." You still have a chance to let Leah guide you through Scheherazade's entrancing world. The Arabian Nights closes this Sunday, March 9.
It is with much sadness that we must convery the passing of Meri Wada, retired costumer and beloved friend and mentor at the School of Drama. Meri joined the staff in 1959 and was a constant in the costume shop until her retirement in 1997. Meri is most remembered for her patience, warm smile, and exceptionally long finger nails.
Stephanie Poire, BA '74 and MFA '76, recalls “…I loved Meri Wada. She taught me everything I know today and with kindness and graciousness. I keep the gifts she gave me in my heart.”
Upon her retirement, the staff originated an award in Meri’s honor. Every year, the Meri Wada Award for Costuming is given to an undergraduate drama student who shows interest in technical costuming.
The Costume Shop is planning a small gathering to honor Meri. If you are interested in attending, please email Josie Gardner, at jogard@uw.edu, and we will keep you updated regarding date and time.
The Arabian Nights
By Mary Zimmerman
Adapted from The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night
Directed by Leah Adcock-Starr
Remaining Shows: Wed-Sat, 7:30 pm; Sun, 2:00 pm
Floyd & Delores Jones Playhouse
Featuring an ensemble cast of Professional Actor Training Program graduate students, rich costumes and sets by MFA designers, and original music, The Arabian Nights will transport you to a world of darkness, secrets, love, and light. Watch the trailer here.
Photo: Christian Telesmar and Brianne Hill in The Arabian Nights (© Mike Hipple)
A Map of Virtue
By Erin Courtney
Directed by Rachel Perlot
Remaining shows Wed-Sun, 7pm
Cabaret Theatre, Hutchinson Hall
"A Map of Virtue is about many things: the extremes of human morality, the impermanence of objects, and how people deal with power and powerlessness," says director Rachel Perlot. The plot follows the happenstance encounters of Mark and Sarah: in a diner, on a cliff in Ireland, at the zoo. As time goes on, their stories become more and more intertwined, until an unexpected encounter with humanity’s darker side.
Learn what inspired director Rachel Perlot to tackle this complex and stirring script by reading her post on the School of Drama blog.
Photo by Sara Koopai, courtesty of The Daily.
There might be too much exciting stuff to report for this little column, so be sure to follow us on Facebook for alumni news as we hear it.
We'll start with a fun reason to tune into C-SPAN. On May 3rd, Joel McHale, PATP '00, will be headlining the White House Correspondents Dinner! A beautiful example of theatre extending beyond four walls, BA alums Rainn Wilson and Holiday Reinhorn have launched a new nonprofit aimed at using art to empower adolescent girls in Haiti. In New York, Lydia Fort, PDTP '06, has an exciting new project, The Architecture of Being, with Women's Project Theatre; and Katharine McLeod, PATP '08, is performing a solo show at Frigid New York. And congratulations to Julia Hochner, BA '05, who will make her professional theatre debut in Gulfshore...
Read moreThrough Sunday, March 9
The Arabian Nights, Jones Playhouse
Through Sunday March 9
Undergraduate Theater Society Presents: A Map of Virtue
Sunday, April 13
Seattle Showcase: Professional Debut of the PATP class of 2014
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 Image: Sketch by Michaela Petrovich, costume designer for The Arabian Nights.