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rodger sorensen

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TMA Students and Faculty Prepare for 2018 Regional Theatre Festival in Arizona

February 16, 2018 12:00 AM
As participants prepare to attend this year’s festival, theatre Professor Stephanie Breinholt reflects on last year’s achievements
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CFAC Faculty Honored at BYU’s 2017 University Conference

September 07, 2017 12:00 AM
Recognition included four university awards and three college awards.
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BYU Department of Theatre and Media Arts to Put On The Importance of Being Earnest Oct. 28–Nov. 5

October 19, 2016 12:00 AM
The BYU Department of Theatre and Media Arts presents The Importance of Being Earnest, a classic comedy by Oscar Wilde, beginning Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. and playing through Nov. 12. This comic masterpiece untangles the double lives of two well-to-do society-gentlemen, both of whom have assumed the same alias in order to escape the doldrums of everyday life. Mistaken identities, a mysterious friend named Bunbury and a misplaced handbag lead to unexpected turns in Oscar Wilde’s time-honored tour de force of cleverness and charm. 'People should come see the show because it's a great time,' said Stephen Moore, who plays the roles of Lane and Merriman. 'It's hilarious and has a talented cast and crew behind it ready to entertain.' TMA is pleased to present both The Importance of Being Earnest and Travesties simultaneously. Travesties, which begins Nov. 11, is heavily inspired by Earnest and though able to stand alone, the scripts for the two plays share a comparable relationship. 'There are many resonances between the two,' said Rodger Sorensen, director for The Importance of Being Earnest. 'Earnest came before and in many ways inspired Travesties. However, our production of Earnest is also being influenced by our production Travesties and vice-versa. Even though the initial inspiration was linear in time, the influence now goes both ways.' Audiences are encouraged to take the opportunity to also see Travesties beginning Nov. 11, and compare not only the two program notes, but also the productions. Dates and Times: Oct. 28–29, Nov. 2–5, 8–12, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29, Nov. 5, 2:00 p.m. (additional Saturday matinee performances) Location: Pardoe Theatre, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU Price: $10-16 Tickets: Available in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone at 801-422-2981 or online at byuarts.com
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BYU Microburst Theatre Festival to feature thirteen short original plays, Jan. 13-16

January 09, 2016 12:00 AM
BYU’s Department of Theatre and Media Arts will present Microburst Theatre Festival in the Nelke Theatre on Jan. 13-16, at 7:30 p.m., with ASL interpretation on Jan. 14 and a 2 p.m. matinee on Jan. 16. Tickets are $5. Tickets can be purchased in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone at 801-422-2981 or online at byuarts.com. Directed by Rodger Sorensen, Microburst Theatre features a series of thought-provoking and funny short plays, newly written by BYU student writers that explore the theme “taking time, making time.” Winner of three national awards at the 2014 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, this annual showcase of new work explores the moments in time that often go unnoticed. “These short plays come at us in brief, intense bits of drama and comedy–sometimes unexpected and sometimes anticipated. Either way, they don’t last long,” said Jeff Martin, the producer for BYU Arts. Now in its third year, this season’s festival features the work of 13 playwrights, 12 actors, 6 student directors and 2 dramaturgs. The plays and playwrights include “Baby Steps” by Hadley Holyoak, “A Blossom Tree” by Ting-Chun Chang, “BYU Time Experience” by Daniel Fifield, “Ding” by Janine Sobeck, “A Dramaturg’s Tale” by Rick Curtiss, “Freeze” by Kristen Perkins, “Keeping Clocks” by Marianne Hales Harding, “Possibilities” by Teresa Love, “Recompense” by Kiersten Carr, “Salvo” by Cristin Lunt, “Time Crimes” by Brad Witbeck, “Time in the Attic” by Jessica Fluegel and “Time Lapse” by Keith Grover. The cast includes Andrew Smith, Courtney Miller, Francisco Acosta, J.D. Shaeffer, Logan Ruesch, Mari Toronto, Rachel Belt, Rachel Bennett, Rachelle Hull, Shay Ruesch, Sierra Docken and Teagan Clark. The production team includes Amberly Plourde, Britney Miles, Daniel Brown, Lauren Wilkins, Michael Comp and Soren Budge as student directors; Juliette Lewis Mergist as costume designer; Celia Rivera as makeup designer; Bronte Campbell as scenic designer; Celia Linford as lighting designer; Scott Jackson as prop shop manager; Aubrianna Hockett as prop designer; and Dillian Durrant as stage manager. Tickets and Show Details Performance Dates and Times: Jan. 13-16, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. ASL performance on Jan. 14. Matinee on Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. Location: Nelke Theatre, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU Price: $5 Tickets: Available in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone at 801-422-2981 or online at byuarts.com
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New CFAC Dean Announces Appointment of Two Associate Deans

June 06, 2015 12:00 AM
Amy Petersen Jensen and Jeremy Grimshaw will replace Rodger Sorensen and Ed Carter as associate deans in the College of Fine Arts and Communications this summer. A third candidate, to replace Randy Boothe, will be selected later. Ed Adams, incoming CFAC dean, made the announcements this week to the faculty and staff of the CFAC. Jensen’s responsibilities, effective July 15, will revolve around faculty hiring, promotion, funding, professional development, arts education and research. “I look forward to serving the College of Fine Arts and Communications with Dean Ed Adams,” said Jensen. “He is a great leader whose practical vision for the CFAC will benefit us all. I am also very excited to serve the faculty of our college as they work to meet their scholarly and creative goals.” Grimshaw’s responsibilities, starting July 1, will include undergraduate/graduate student matters including curriculum, assessment, advisement, the college student association, as well as international programs and student funding. “I am very flattered and honored to serve in this capacity,' commented Grimshaw to a crowd of School of Music colleagues. “I’m grateful to have an opportunity to do it, to be able to work with Ed and Amy, and to be able to continue working with you.” Noting the service of Sorensen, Carter and Boothe–who will return to their departments/school–Adams praised them by saying that each has made significant contributions to the college during their tenures. “Their dedication and commitment have been exemplary and I express gratitude for the service they have given to the college and university in their assignments,” said Adams.
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BYU presents stage adaptation of “A Wrinkle in Time” May 29-June 15

May 20, 2013 12:00 AM
Brigham Young University’s Department of Theatre and Media Arts will present “A Wrinkle in Time,” a new play adapted from the popular children’s novel by Madeleine L’Engle, in the de Jong Concert Hall Wednesday, May 29 through Saturday, June 15, including matinee performances on Saturdays. Tickets are $6 for anyone older than the age of six. The audience will be seated in general admission chairs on the de Jong Concert Hall stage surrounding the playing space on three sides. For tickets, visit the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 422-4322 or visit byuarts.com/tickets. There are no performances Sundays or Mondays. Please note that there will be strobe lighting used throughout the production. The performance on Thursday, June 6, will offer American Sign Language interpretation. Directed by Rodger Sorensen, the BYU production of “A Wrinkle in Time” celebrates the 50th anniversary of the children’s science fiction novel about love, faith and the importance of family. First published in 1962, the book won a Newbery Medal, the Sequoyah Book Award, the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, and was a runner up for the Hans Christian Andersen Award. On a dark and stormy night, Meg and her family receive an unexpected knock at their door. Behind it lurks an unearthly guest with incredible news. She knows the location of the children’s father who went missing while experimenting with time travel. As they trek through space to find him, Meg must learn to harness the power of love in order to conquer the forces of evil. “Is it possible for adults to tell simple, truthful stories in imaginative ways, without relying on technology, elaborate sets and amazing special effects – stories that will transport us all into that genuine place where children seriously play?” Sorensen asks in the director’s note. “Let's find out. Unlock the doors. Fling wide the windows. Come play with us. Let's contemplate the beauty of Mrs. Whatsit’s transformation. Let’s listen to the music of the spheres in celebration of goodness, light and love.” The production is also featured in 4th Wall, a dramaturgy project run by the Theatre and Media Arts Department. The project works to break down the supposed wall separating the audience from the actors through insights from the rehearsal room, interesting historical information, interviews with the production team and more. For more information about 4th Wall, visit 4thwalldramaturgy.byu.edu. The cast features Lindsay Clark as Meg Murry, Adam White as Charles Wallace, Logan Hayden as Calvin O’Keefe, Stephanie Richardson as Mrs. Whatsit, Chelsea Hickman as Mrs. Who, Jenna Hawkins as Mrs. Which, James Lyon as Mr. Murry, Jasmine Fullmer as Mrs. Murry, and Amy Castro, Allyson Thaxton, Johnny Spelta and Beth Lloyd in the ensemble. The design and technical crew also includes Brittany Corbett, production stage manager; Eric Fielding and Logan Hayden, set designers; Desiree Moss, costume designer; Marianne Ohran, lighting designer; Patrick Hayes; Anna Deceuster, dramaturg; Lindsay Clark, choreographer and music director; and Lara Cobb, properties designer. For more information, contact Ken Crossley at (801) 422-9348 or ken_crossley@byu.edu. Source: BYU News
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Theatre and Media Arts at BYU posts 2005-2006 theatre season

September 09, 2005 12:00 AM
Brigham Young University’s Department of Theatre and Media Arts has announced its 2005-2006 theatre series in the Pardoe and Margetts Theatres. Full of comedy, drama and beautiful music, the 2005-2006 theatre season will offer productions for the entire family. “The theatre season is designed to reach out to the audience and engage them in the experience,” said Rodger D. Sorensen, Theatre and Media Arts Department chair. “We want them to be enlightened and entertained.” “As an academic institution, ours is the responsibility to provide students with growth experiences,” Sorensen added. “We want to help the students become better. Theatre productions are like lab experiments where we test and ask questions.” The Pardoe Theatre Series will begin with Lope de Vega’s Spanish Golden Age classic “Fuente Ovejuna” directed by Nestor Bravo Goldsmith. The production runs Sept. 21 through Oct. 8. Sparks will fly when two childhood friends fall in love with the same woman in Shakespeare’s comedy “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” directed by Alexandra Mackenzie. The production runs Nov. 9 through Dec. 3. There will be performances Nov. 20-29 because of Thanksgiving break. The series will continue with Elton John and Tim Rice’s “Aida,” a story of enslaved Nubian princess who falls in love with the Egyptian guard holding her captive. Directed by Tim Threlfall, the production runs Jan. 25 through Feb. 11. Theatre faculty members Barta Heiner and Janet Swenson will delight audiences as they portray the Brewster sisters in Joseph Kesselring’s “Arsenic and Old Lace,” a comedy full of murderous criminals, romantic strife and insane in-laws. Directed by Laurie Harrop-Purser, the production runs March 29 through April 15. Completing the season will be a Theatre for Young Audiences production of Patricia MacLachlan’s popular book-turned-play, “Sarah, Plain and Tall.” Directed by Amy Petersen Jensen, the play focuses on a 19th-century Midwest widower with two children who advertises for a new wife. The production runs May 31 through June 17. The Margetts Theatre Series will begin with “Getting Married,” a comedy by George Bernard Shaw and directed by Barta Heiner. With confusion igniting on a young couple’s wedding day, the clergy, a lovesick fool and the coal-maker’s wife all ask whether or not marriage is a worthy ideal. The production runs Oct.26 through Nov. 12. The exciting adventures of four orphans will be presented in the Theatre for Young Audiences production of “The Boxcar Children” based on the books by Gertrude Chandler Warner and adapted for stage by Barbara Field. Directed by George D. Nelson, performances run Feb. 8-18 in the Nelke Theatre. Finishing the Margetts Series will be the world premiere of “Angels Unaware: A Story of Joan of Arc” written by Melissa Leilani Larson. Directed by David Morgan, the production follows a young girl named Joan who accepts the call to arms from her Lord and Savior when France loses hope of gaining back its faith and patriotism. Performances run March 8-25. There will be no performances in either theatre Sundays or Mondays. Reduced-price dress rehearsals and matinee performances will be available for each performance. For more information, contact the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 422-4377, or at performances.byu.edu. Source: BYU News
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