THEATRE DEPT. ANNOUNCES SEASON
Utah State Theatre, the production program in the department of theatre at Utah State University, announces the 2004-2005 production schedule and audition information. Utah State Theatre (UST) plans a well-rounded season of live theatre in the Chase Fine Arts Center (FAC building), where it calls the mainstage Morgan Theatre home, and at Logan’s historical venue, the Caine Lyric Theatre, in downtown Logan. In addition to the mainstage season, the department also offers more intimate productions in the flexible Studio Theatre in FAC room 224. More specific production information is available throughout the season.
Open auditions for the 2004-2005 seasons are to be held in September, said department head Colin Johnson. Audition times and dates will be announced at a later date. Auditions take place in the Chase Fine Arts Center on the Utah State campus. For more information and to include your name on the audition list, call (435) 797-3046. The fall production of “Holes” has specific casting needs. Call (435) 797- 3046 for specific information on this production.
Kicking off UST’s season is a special event that includes the premiere of an original work by the Saratoga International Theatre Institute (SITI), the Theatre Arts Department and musical group the Rachel’s. The SITI Company, from New York, is setting up a two-week residency at Utah State. The company, founded by Ann Bogart, is running workshops and classes and includes a world premiere of the piece “systems/layers,” with students of the theatre department.
The collaborative piece debuts Sept. 16-18. The event is partly sponsored by the Marie Eccles Caine Foundation, the Associated Students of Utah State University (ASUSU), the College of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences and the Department of Theatre Arts at Utah State. The world premiere theatre/dance/music piece takes its turn on the Morgan Theatre stage.
Batting second in the fall of 2004 is “The Laramie Project,” by Moises Kauffman. Inspired by the 2002 HBO movie that explores hate crimes in rural America, the staged production takes place Oct. 5-9 in the Caine Lyric Theatre. The play is a drama that recounts the events of Matthew Shepard’s death in Laramie, Wyo., and explores the mind -set of the individuals involved. Kevin Doyle is the director of this modern play.
“Holes,” by Louis Sachar, is a movie-inspired stage production next on the schedule. This production is slotted for Oct. 18-23, and is a work appealing to all audiences, young and old alike.
“If you liked the film by Disney and the best selling book, well, you definitely have to see it live,” said director Colin Johnson.
“Holes” also appears on the Morgan Theatre stage. Special family pricing is available for the production.
The holiday production is next. “Hayfever,” by Noel Coward, can be seen on the Morgan Theatre stage Dec. 2-4 and 8-11. A combination of a farce and comedy of manners, the play is viewed as one of Coward’s brightest comedies. “Hayfever” is directed by Adrianne Moore.
The next production on the list is the musical review “Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.” With music by Jacques Brel, the planned production is a cabaret-type evening, filled with the feeling of Paris. It includes 20-plus songs from the more than 300 that Brel wrote in his lifetime. The musical plays in the Morgan Theatre Feb. 24-26 and March 2-5. “Jacques Brel” is directed by Lynda Linford.
The always-popular student directed “One-Acts” return again in 2005. Students take on scripts and develop one-act plays that are produced almost exclusively by Utah State theatre students. Catch these takes March 23-26 in the intimate Studio Theatre (FAC 224).
The final production is a comedy from William Shakespeare.
“Comedy of Errors” is directed by Artemis Preeshl, who plans on adding an interesting twist into the production. The work is the shortest play (by number of lines) by the playwright, and it rounds out the Utah State Theatre 2004-2005 season on the Morgan Theatre stage April 21-23 and 27-30.
In addition to UST’s full load of mainstage entertainment, the department keeps things on the fast track with additional attractions along the way, Johnson said. He encourages audiences to look for the department’s comedy group “The Improv-uh-bles” and for the annual Halloween show, not to mention what other productions pop up along the way.
UST’s promotional theme remains “All the World’s a Stage” this year.
“Cory, our Shakespearean poster boy, will be in all kinds of new places this season,” a public relations spokesperson said. “Keep an eye out for him all over!”
Curtain time for UST’s productions is 7:30 p.m., with matinee performances at 2 p.m. Tickets for all mainstage productions are available at the Utah State Smith Spectrum Ticket Office (435-797-0305) during business hours (9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri.), at the Taggart Student Center Information Desk (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and at the door on performance evenings. Credit card reservations are available over the phone.
Prices for adult tickets are yet to be announced. Group rates are available by calling (435) 797-1500. Utah State students attend productions free with a valid ID and may claim one ticket per production one week in advance at the Smith Spectrum Ticket Office, Taggart Student Center or at the door (subject to availability) on performance nights. Admission is not general seating; specific seat assignments are made.
Conservatory Series tickets are available at the door of the production, with prices to be announced at a later date.
Tickets can also be purchased as a Flex-Pass subscription. A Flex-Pass contains four coupons exchangeable for any UST mainstage production, and comes with the option to attend one Conservatory Series production at a discounted rate. More information can be found on the Utah State Theatre Web site at www.usu.edu/theatre.
UST’s public relations office reminds everyone about ushering opportunities at performances. Call 797-1500 for details. Special promotions and audition information will also be posted on the Web site. Specific production information will be posted there as the season continues. For a free mailer call (435) 797-3046.
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