"For me and our team, Boys' Life is a play about the definition of manhood, about the pressures faced by boys playing at man-ness and ultimately about how much men need places to be really seen for who they are: vulnerable, proud, competitive, strong, and funny,” states Professor Valerie Curtis-Newton, who directs a cast of talented undergraduates in our final main stage show of the season.
We look forward to wrapping up another year of productions, academic work, experimentation, and growth. Thank you for being a part of the UW Drama community. We'll see you at the theatre!
Boys' Life
by Howard Korder
directed by Valerie Curtis-Newton
May 27–June 7
Opening Night: May 29 at 7:30 pm
Hughes Penthouse Theatre
Howard Korder’s Boys' Life is a bitingly funny comedy of manners, which follows three former college buddies as they stumble through their 20s—and their various relationships with women—attempting to come to terms with life and the meaning of manhood. Professor Valerie Curtis-Newton directs our talented undergraduate students in this smart, modern story of what it means to grow up.
A post-show talk will be held on Thursday, June 4.
On the Verge
by Eric Overmyer
directed by Rosalind Phelps
May 28–June 7
Cabaret Theatre
Three intrepid lady explorers embark on their greatest adventure yet: an expedition into the last uncharted jungle in the world, Terra Incognita. Little do they know they are 'on the verge' of a deliciously verbose, joyously feminist, and ultimately serendipitous romp through time. Armed with their pith helmets and journals, our heroines encounter treacherous obstacles, several eccentric characters, and a myriad of pop culture references. Eric Overmyer's play turns colonialist anthropology on its head; celebrating friendship, egg beaters, and "discovery" of all kinds.
Director, and outgoing President of the Undergraduate Theater Society, Rosalind Phelps reflects on her time at the School of Drama and her "make it as you go" mindset. Read Rosalind's post on the Drama blog.
by Michael Jospeh Hanley
Every student of the arts knows the feeling of dread that grows and grows as graduation inches closer and closer: What will I do with my Drama degree? How am I going to financially support myself? What will my next artistic project be?
As someone who will be walking in graduation ceremonies in June, all of those questions are of interest. That being said, I am the kind of person who needs to answer the last question before I can get to the other ones. Artistic creation and expression feeds and fuels my soul. I need it as much as I need food, water, and sleep.
There’s a problem, though: in order to work on a project, you need a project to work on. Actors get work by auditioning for shows, but unless you’re applying for a specific internship or assistantship program, directors don’t necessarily have a structured, systematic way of getting work. In my experience, a lot of it comes down to whether or not you are in the right place at the right time with the right people. That’s all fine and good, but when you’re like me and crave artistic work to the point where it’s a necessity, I need to know that there is another project on the horizon.
This leaves me with two options: I can sit in my room refreshing my email inbox and waiting for my phone to ring, or I can self-produce. I tend to go with the latter.
Read moreMy undergraduate education at UW has not only provided me the skills and inspiration to think...
by Sarah Nash Gates, professor emerita
Where does one begin to add to the accolades and well deserved honors already bestowed on alumnus Ruben Van Kempen? Retiring from more than 35 years as Director of Theatre at Roosevelt High School, Ruben help build what is currently the only full-time theatre program in the Seattle School District. His program is known for the quality of their annual musical productions as well as the student directed one act festival and innovative new works programs with Book It and Seattle Rep, as well as the success of former students who have starred on Broadway, local stages, in business and life.
He has been recognized nationally by the Educational Theatre Association with induction into their Hall of Fame and locally by the professional theatre community’s Gregory Award for Sustained Achievement in Theatre. Ruben has been awarded the 2000 Christa McAuliffe Washington Award for Excellence in Education, the 1986 Seattle Excellence in Education Award, the 2004 Butch Blum Award of Excellence and in 2006 the first annual Ruben Van Kempen Arts Educator award. He also has served as co- director of the WA State Thespians.
Ruben is widely known as an accomplished director in both educational and professional venues as well as a gifted teacher who has the ability to make every student and every cast member feel significant. “I want my students to learn about collaboration, being a team player, a leader, a follower, and making...
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Lenne Klingaman (PATP '07) (pictured) is Mariane in Moliere's Tartuffe at The Shakespeare Theatre DC. Lenne is also working on completing her first debut album, The Heart is the Hunter. Learn more and support her album on Kickstarter.
Frank Butler (MFA '85) is the lighting designer for Juno and the Paycock at the Guthrie Theatre, running May 23–June 28.
Amy Rose Marsh (BA '05) was recently promoted to Literary Director at Samuel French.
Czerton Lim (MFA' 06) is the scenic designer for The Diary of Anne Frank directed by Artistic Director Jeremy Winchester (MFA '06) at Flint Youth Theatre in Michigan.
Tlaloc Rivas (MFA '99) wrote and is directing the world premiere of ...
Read moreUpcoming Events and Performances
Boys' Life—featuring undergraduate actors
May 27–June 7
More details
UTS Presents: On the Verge
May 28–June 7
More details
STORIES FROM CHINATOWN: a living theater project
May 30
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Designer Showcase
Featuring graduating designers from UW Drama, Cornish College of the Arts, and Seattle University
Save the date for June 8
More details coming!
Banner Photo Credit: Denny Le, Nathan Wornian, and Tim Moore in Howard Korder's "Boys' Life." Photo by Mike Hipple.