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BYU Young Company Presents Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night' in the Wild West

January 30, 2016 12:00 AM
The BYU Young Company will present William Shakespeare’s comic masterpiece Twelfth Night with a western twist in the Nelke Theatre of the Harris Fine Arts Center at 7 p.m. on Feb. 3-5, 10-12, with matinees on Feb. 6 and 13, at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets are $7, with discounts available for alumni, students, employees, senior citizens and groups. 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. Shakespeare’s poetry meets rip-roaring action and high-faultin song and dance in this cowboy version of Twelfth Night. Directed by Megan Sanborn Jones and adapted by Rick Curtiss, this production encourages audience members of all ages to look beneath outward appearances and value people for the qualities they have on the inside. “In our production, we decided to foreground this imagined world by presenting our 2016 Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night via a 1950’s vision of the nineteenth century west,” said Jones. “We take you back to this time that never existed–a fitting tribute, we believe– with Shakespeare’s topsy-turvy homage to a world where anything can happen.” Other production members include Amanda Welch as choreographer, Julia Ashworth as Young Company producer, Becky Wallin as Young Company managing director, Dayne Joyner as production stage manager, Rory Scanlon as scenic designer, Alyssa Bybee as costume designer, Sarah Stewart as makeup designer, Scott Jackson as props designer, Christian Riboldi as dramaturge, and Franny Gleave and Karlee Savage as assistant stage managers. Cast members include Sherry Kopischke as Viola/Cesario, Andrew Smith as Sebastian, Cameron Bridston as Feste, Savanah Smith as Olivia, Scott Jackson as Duke Orsino, Costner Henson as Malvolio, Olivia Ockey as Maria and Jacob Baird as Sir Toby Belch. PHOTO: Oliva (Savanah Smith, left) and Duke Orsino (Scott Jackson, right) fight over Cesario (Sherry Kopischke, center). BYU Young Company production of Twelfth Night. Photo by Jaren Wilkey/BYU. © BYU PHOTO 2016. All Rights Reserved. Performance Dates and Times: Feb. 3-5, 10-12, at 7 p.m. Matinees at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Feb. 6 and 13. Location: Nelke Theatre, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU Price: $7 (discounts for senior citizens, BYU students, groups and alumni) 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 International Arts Festival Brings Unconventional Theatre to Provo

January 09, 2016 12:00 AM
Brigham Young University will present its third season of the OFF THE MAP: BYU International Arts Festival on Jan. 21-23. The festival consists of two unconventional theatre performances,Y2D Productions:LEO and Out of Balanz: Next Door. The shows will be presented back to back starting at 7 p.m. in the Nelke (Next Door) and Pardoe (Leo) Theatres, with Saturday matinees starting at 1 p.m. Tickets are $10, with discounts available for alumni, students, employees, senior citizens and groups. 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. Leo is a solo theatre piece that shows the journey of a man played by Julian Schulz whose world becomes physically unhinged. The production challenges reality and gravity through the clever interplay of vibrant acrobatic performance and high-tech video projection. Next Door follows Ivan as he contemplates what connects humans after his neighbor, whom he doesn’t know well, dies suddenly. The drama blends personal memories, shared stories and movement to create a low-fi, physical storytelling that celebrates connection, imagination and the significance of human relationships. BYU Arts Production Manager Jeffrey Martin is the brainchild behind the Off The Map series. Three years ago he recognized that BYU students were mostly exposed to conventional theatre. He felt that audiences could benefit from unique and sometimes bizarre productions from other countries. “There’s a strong interest in this kind of work,” Martin said. “At BYU we are curious about other cultures, which goes right along with our university’s mission. These performances are interdisciplinary and international.” Martin doesn’t just want attendees to be entertained; he hopes the experience will broaden their view of what theatre is and what kind of effect it can have on people. “When people are exposed to new ideas, or even old ideas told in new and exciting ways, they become more well-rounded,” Martin said. “These performances will be appreciated by everyone who attends.” These performances are sponsored the Utah Division of Arts and Museums; the Western States Arts Federation; the National Endowment for the Arts; the Mary Lou Fulton Endowment in Theatre and Media Arts; and by BRAVO! Professional Performing Arts at BYU, the university’s concert series that hosts world-renowned guest artists from across the globe. Performance Dates and Times: Leo – Jan. 21-23, 8:40 p.m., with a Saturday matinee at 2:40 p.m. Next Door – Jan. 21-23, 7 p.m., with a Saturday matinee at 1 p.m. Location: Nelke (Next Door) and Pardoe (Leo) Theatres, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU Price: $10 (discounts for senior citizens, BYU students, groups and alumni) 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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BYU Arts stages George Bernard Shaw's romantic comedy ‘Misalliance’

October 29, 2015 12:00 AM
The BYU Department of Theatre and Media Arts will present George Bernard Shaw’s classic comedy Misalliance, directed by Barta Lee Heiner, Nov. 5-7, 11—14, and 17—21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Margetts Theater, with matinees on Nov. 7 and 14 at 2 p.m. An ASL performance will be presented on Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
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Celebrating the ocean through pantomime and poetry, BYU stages 'Water Sings Blue'

October 06, 2015 12:00 AM
Brigham Young University’s Department of Theatre and Media Arts is presenting an adaptation of the poetry of Kate Coombs from her award-winning children’s book, Water Sings Blue. The production started last week and continues Oct. 7-9 at 7 p.m., in the Margetts Theatre of the Harris Fine Arts Center. Matinees will be on Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The ASL performance will be this Thursday, Oct. 8. Tickets are $6-7, with discounts available for alumni, seniors, employees and students. 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. This charming play celebrates the ocean through pantomime and poetry. Teresa Dayley Love directs this play her imaginative adaptation using in-the-round staging that promises to be playfully interactive for the audiences of all ages. “I often think that the artist's job is to make people pay attention to the world around us,” said Love. “Through their work they shout, ‘Look! Do you see that? What do you think about that?’” The cast includes Haley Flanders, Danny Brown, Sierra Docken, Logan Ruesch, Michael Comp, Arianna Krenk, Oksana Poliakova and Britney Miles. The design and technical crew includes Teresa Dayley Love as director, Jennifer Reed as production manager/scenic designer, Britney Miles as stage manager, Jake Fullmer as assistant stage manager, Scott Jackson as props designer, Travis Coyne as technical director, Michael Kraczek as faculty design advisor, Michael Handley as lighting designer, Donnette Perkins as costume/makeup shot manager, Sarah Stewart as costume designer, Celia Rivera as makeup designer, Eric Kopp as house audio engineer, Jacey Gardiner as sound designer, Janine Sobeck as dramaturge advisor, Spencer Duncan as dramaturge, Mary Jane Wadley as cutter/draper, and Becky Wallin as outreach coordinator.
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The Classical Greek Theater Festival presents 'Electra' Sep. 21.

September 21, 2015 12:00 AM
The Classical Greek Theater Festival of Westminster College will perform Sophocles’ tragic masterpiece, Electra as part of their 2015 tour in the de Jong Concert Hall on Sep. 21 at 5:00pm.Tickets are $11, with discounts available for alumni, seniors and students.
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BYU Department of Theatre to present world premiere of “Princess Academy"

May 19, 2015 12:00 AM
The Brigham Young University Department of Theatre and Media Arts presents the world premiere of Princess Academy, a new play adapted from The New York Times bestseller Shannon Hale. Princess Academy tells the story of a young girl taken from her home to attend royal finishing school and faces a harsh schoolmistress, fierce storms and bandits. She soon discovers the power of friendship and a loving heart. The performance runs on select dates from May 30 to June 13, at 7 p.m., in the Pardoe Theatre. Matinee performances will occur on May 30, June 4, 6, 12 and 13, starting at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12, with $3 off for students and $2 off for alumni and seniors, and can be purchased in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone 801.422.2981 or online at byuarts.com. Children ages 4 and older are eligible for student ticket prices. Director Megan Sanborn Jones teamed up with playwright Lisa Hall Hagen and dramaturg Janine Sobeck more than a year ago to begin the process of adapting Shannon Hale’s story for the stage. This group effort was in part inspired by the story in Princess Academy where the academy girls must work together and answer questions as a group to complete their final exam. “In the process of creating this new adaption of the novel for the BYU stage, we found inspiration and truth in this lesson,” said Jones. “This is the true magic of collaboration – the work each person does to fully understand, respect and nurture the vision of the other creators. This inspired us to be better individually, to learn from one another and to love our work.” More Ways to Enjoy Princess Academy arts.byu.edu for a free 'Lunch and Learn' workshop offered at 12:30 p.m. in the north lobby of the Pardoe Theatre prior to the June 4, 6, 12 and 13, matinee performances of Princess Academy. The activity will be an opportunity for all playgoers ages 8 and older to participate in learning activities inspired by the production. BYU student “teaching artists” will lead 60-minute workshops and then provide a space for participants to enjoy lunch before the performance begins. One free meal will be provided by BYU for each registered participant. Parents/guardians are not to leave children unattended during the workshop and are encouraged to register and participate along with their children. Donate a Book, Support Provo Schools: As part of a community outreach drive for the Provo School district, audience members who bring a new or gently used children’s book to the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center ticket office will receive an additional $2 off one child’s ticket. This offer is valid for Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday evening performances only. Excluding previous purchases. The Princess Academy cast features Aubrey Bench as Miri, Claire Eyestone as Britta, Meagan Flinders as Katar, Sherry Henry as Liana, Leah Hodson as Frid, Tearza Foyston as Gerti, Rachel Heath as Esa, Heather Jones as Olana, Abram Yarbro as Peder, Rachel Pullan as Doter, Jennifer Bozeman as Marda, Jared Cahoon as Pa, Clayton Cranford as Seffan, Logan Ruesch as Dan, Robert Fuller as Chief Delegate and Ryan Moss as Dogface. The production crew includes hair and makeup co-designer Valeri Day, assistant director and composer Haley Flanders, props designer Scott Jackson, dramaturg Heather Oberlander, lighting designer Marianne Ohran, makeup co-designer Celena Kurogi Peterson, scenic designer Rory Scanlon, dramaturg Janine Sobeck, assistant lighting designer Sarah Beth Stewart and costume designer Mary Jane Wadley. Tickets and Show Details Dates: May 29-30, June 4-6, 10-13 Times: 7 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on May 30, June 4, 6, 12 and 13 Location: Pardoe Theatre, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU Price: $12 (discounts available for students, alumni and seniors) Tickets: Available at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone 801.422.2981 or visit byuarts.com
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TMA presents “Princess Academy"

May 13, 2015 12:00 AM
The Brigham Young University Department of Theatre and Media Arts presents the world premiere of “Princess Academy,” a new play adapted from New York Times bestseller Shannon Hale on select dates from May 30 to June 13 at 7 p.m. in the Pardoe Theatre.
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The Department of Theatre and Media Arts Announces its 2015/16 Season

May 06, 2015 12:00 AM
Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Bertolt Brecht's Mother Courage and Her Children, and E.B. White's Charlotte's Web anchor a season of dramas, comedies and musical theatre at BYU.
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Crazed clergy headline TMA's play “See How They Run"

October 30, 2014 12:00 AM
The Brigham Young University Department of Theatre Media and Arts will present the farcical comedy “See How They Run” by Philip King in the Margetts Theatre this November. Performances will be held Nov. 7-8, 12-15 and 18-22 at 7:30 p.m. with matinee performances onNov. 8 and 17 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets for the Saturday matinee performances are $8.00. For evening performances, student and BYU employee tickets will be $9.00, senior citizen tickets and alumni will be $12.00 and general public will be $14.00. For tickets, visit the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, call (801) 422-4322 or visit byuarts.com. The two-act play, directed by Barta Lee Heiner, is set entirely within the living room of a vicarage in a fictitious World War II era English village. With a cast of mismatched personalities including Russian spies and vicars, mistaken identities and slamming doors this play is one of hysterical farce and mayhem. Philip King wrote just the first act of this classic comedy in 1942 and later completed the second act in 1943. The completed play premiered on the West End in 1944 with some drama when three German guided missiles exploded near the theater during opening night. The play ran for 18 months with nearly 600 performances. The BYU cast includes Noelle Houston as Ida, Ann Lopez as Miss Skillon, Soren Barker as The Reverend Lionel Toop, Ali Kinkade as Penelope Toop, Alex Diaz as Corporal Clive Winton, Canute Peterson as The Intruder, Rodger Sorensen as The Bishop of Lax, Jordan Nicholes as The Reverend Arthur Humphrey and MIchael Abbott as Sergeant Towers. The technical crew for “See How They Run” includes Jennifer Reed, production manager Logan Hayden, scenic designer; Mckenzie Ottley, lighting designer; Marissa Pack, costume designer; Jacqueline Johnson, sound designer; Ward Wright, technical director; Abram Yarbro, dramaturg; and Sarah Barrus; stage manager.
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THE FISHERMAN AND HIS WIFE

October 08, 2014 12:00 AM
A participatory play adapted by Larry and Vivian Snipes Based on a story collected by the Brothers Grimm Directed by Néstor Bravo Goldsmith This tale of a fisherman, an enchanted fish, and three magic wishes taps into the imagination through clever storytelling and audience participation.
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Actors From the London Stage Present Much Ado About Nothing

September 23, 2014 12:00 AM
What could be lovelier on a cool autumn evening than the Bard under the stars? Shakespeare’s witty comedy of love, honor, and deception comes to vibrant life on a bare stage in the courtyard of the Joseph F. Smith Building this Thursday-Friday, Sept. 25-26, 7:00 PM. TICKET INFORMATION: $20 ($7 off with BYU or student ID/$3 off for senior citizens or BYU alumni) Mary Lou Fulton Plaza-Joseph F. Smith Bldg (outdoor courtyard) NOTE: the matinee performance on Sept. 27 has been moved to the Pardoe Theatre in the Harris Fine Arts Center. The evening performances on Sept. 25-26 will still take place in the outdoor courtyard of the Joseph F. Smith Building. Generously supported by the BYU Mary Lou Fulton Endowment in Theatre and Media Arts In case of inclement weather the performance will be moved to the Pardoe Theatre of the Harris Fine Arts Center. Pictured above: Actors From the London Stage in the spring 2014 tour of As You Like It.
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BYU Theatre presents Oscar Wilde's 'The Selfish Giant'

May 21, 2014 12:00 AM
Tickets on sale now for performances from May 30 to June 14 Oscar Wilde’s children’s story The Selfish Giant, a play about friendship, faith and the power of transformation, comes to life on the BYU stage later this month. Through the use of puppets and live actors, BYU Theatre presents a unique look at this universal and timeless allegory of Jesus’ love for all of us. The play focuses on a self-centered giant who is at first unwilling to share his beautiful garden with the children who long to play in it but then finds happiness when he at last welcomes the youngsters onto his patch of lovely earth. The Selfish Giant Story by Oscar Wilde Adapted for the Stage by Teresa Dayley Love Directed by Jennifer and Nat Reed Performance Schedule May 30-31, June 5-7, 11-13, 7 pm May 31, June 5, 7, 13, 14, 2 pm ASL interpreted performance: June 5, at 7 pm Post-show discussion with the cast following the evening performances on June 5 and 12 Playing With Performance Workshops Playing with Performance workshops will be held prior to matinees on June 5, 7, 13 and 14 Tickets: http://arts.byu.edu Tickets are available online $12 ($4 off weeknights/$3 off weekends with BYU or student ID, $2 off for senior citizens or BYU alumni) $6 matinees Age 2+: free, with paid admission Source: BYU News
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HFAC 50th Anniversary Theatre Line-up

May 15, 2014 12:00 AM
Frank Wildhorn, a famous American composer known for both his musicals and popular songs, visited BYU in October 2013. Wildhorn taught a master class to MDT students where they rehearsed some of his critically acclaimed Broadway songs and received his in-the-moment coaching.
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BYU Theatre's 2014-15 season filled with favorites and premieres

May 13, 2014 12:00 AM
'The Count of Monte Cristo,' 'Our Town,' 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' on scheduleIn celebration of the 50th anniversary theatre season in the Franklin S. Harris Fine Arts Center, the Brigham Young University Department of Theatre and Media Arts presents a variety of drama, comedy and musical theatre favorites and premieres.
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BYU Theatre readies two versions of Shakespeare's “Cymbeline"

January 22, 2014 12:00 AM
Will run Jan. 31 through Feb. 8 in Margetts Theatre Brigham Young University’s Department of Theatre and Media Arts will present a lighthearted adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Cymbeline” in the Margetts Theatre Friday, Jan. 31 through Saturday, Feb. 8, with matinee performances on Saturdays. Tickets are $6, with $2 discounts available to children ages 2-11. For tickets, visit the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 422-2981 or byuarts.com/tickets. Shakespeare’s adventurous romance gets the double treatment – and a happy ending – in two special adaptations: as a fairy tale suited for young people and as a noir mystery perfect for the young-at-heart. The performance schedule for the fairy tale adaptation includes Friday, Jan. 31; Tuesday, Feb. 4; Thursday, Feb. 6; Friday, Feb 7 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 1 at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.; and Saturday, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. The Thursday, Feb. 6 performance will be ASL interpreted. The performance schedule for the noir mystery adaptation includes Friday, Jan. 31 and Feb. 7 at 9 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 1 at 2 p.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m.; and Saturday Feb. 8 at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. There will be no performances Sundays or Mondays. Directed and adapted by Teresa Dayley Love, “Cymbeline” tells the story of a princess in a pickle, her banished husband, a villainous queen and lots of mayhem in Britain, all while exploring Shakespeare’s themes of mistaken identity, innocence wronged and jealousy. “I knew young audiences would like the twisty story as long as we told it clearly,” said Love. “After all, detail-heavy Pokémon, Harry Potter and Doctor Who have plenty of devoted young fans. And the humor would help, too. But which style to choose? Fairy tale or film noir? I liked them both!” After working with the text, her team made a welcome discovery: “We didn’t have to choose! With the talent of two fearless casts and our imaginative design team, we were able do both. If you come see both versions, you’ll see that the plot, stage movement and language are almost identical. But costumes, scenery, props, lighting, music, sound effects and the way characters are portrayed are very different,” she said. The film noir cast features Michael Comp as Phyllis; Charles Beckh as Chimo, Tony and Pa; Danny Brown as Leo; Jasmine Fullmer as the Queen and Big Luca; and Averill Corkin as Imogene. The fairy tale cast features Mary Beth Bosen as Philaria; Clyde Northrup as Iachimo, Pisanio and Papa; Bryson Alley as Leonatus; Amberly Plourde as the Queen and Lucius; and Lisa Moncur as Imogene. The design and technical crew features Julia Ashworth as the artistic director of Young Company, Michael Kraczek as design advisor, Jennifer Reed as production manager, Spencer Johnson and Heather Richardson as production stage managers, Ward Wright as technical director, Mckenzie Ottley as scenic designer, Amelia Dunlap as lighting designer, Julie Adams as costume designer, James Lyon as prop designer, Chelsi Hunsaker as makeup designer, Nicholas E. Sheets as dramaturg, Janine Sobeck as dramaturg advisor and Rebecca Wallin as theatre outreach coordinator. For more information, contact Ken Crossley at (801) 422-9348 or ken_crossley@byu.edu. Source: BYU News
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"The Nightingale” will open BYU Theatre Season Sept. 27 through Oct. 12

September 18, 2013 12:00 AM
Based on Hans Christian Anderson story Brigham Young University’s Department of Theatre and Media Arts will present “The Nightingale” Friday, Sept. 27 through Saturday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. with 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday matinees in the Margetts Theatre. Wednesday and Thursday tickets are available at $6 for adults, $4 for children and weekend tickets available at $7 for adults, $5 for children. For tickets, visit the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 422-2981 or byuarts.com/tickets. There will be no performances Sundays or Mondays. “The Nightingale” is a play based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen and adapted for the stage by Timothy Mason. Directed by Julia Ashworth and Kori Wakamatsu, this tale of an emperor who neglects the lyrical song of a humble nightingale for the artificial splendor of a mechanical bird vividly depicts the majesty, grace and poetic ritual of ancient China. Performed in English and Mandarin and influenced by the traditions of Peking Opera, “The Nightingale” invites audience members to ponder the worth of the things we value most. To research the production, the cast and crew were able to travel to China to study with Peking Opera and establish sister-school relationships between schools in the United States and China. Ashworth explained why the directors decided on “The Nightingale.” “As we began to study the script together, several themes emerged, primarily the idea of true friendship,” she said. “A secular view of the story shows that the Emperor discovers the value of true friendship through the kind acts of the Nightingale. And yet, as we became more familiar with the script, we began to see the story as a Christian allegory. “Our production concept focuses on the idea of being in the world, but not of the world. The emperor is very much of the world – his palace is full of many dazzling, beautiful and delicate things. Although nothing is inherently wrong with the emperor's palace, these things lead him to forget what is truly important – his friends, family and loved ones. And through a selfless act, the Nightingale helps him remember what is truly important and provides him with a second chance,” said Ashworth. The play challenges audience members to remember what is most important in life. “As you watch 'The Nightingale,' we hope that you observe the details and enjoy the visual spectacle. Beyond the set, costumes, acting and dancing, we hope you are as struck as we have been with the simplicity of the message – that love and kindness transcend the ‘glitter’ of this world,” said Ashworth. The cast includes Cosette Hatch as the Narrator and Nicole Dugdale as the Nightingale/Young Man’s Wife, with Jennifer Bozeman as I-Ming/Witch, Clayton Cranford as Young Man/Glorious General, Scott Savage as High Lord Chamberlain, Jordan Nicholes as Emperor, Noah Kershisnik as Death/Emperor of Japan, Esmeralda Vera as Woo ling/Chinese Narrator and Allie Limas as Principal Dancer/Lady of the Court. The design and technical crew includes Alecia Holmes, production stage manager; Brent Robison, scenic designer; Donnette Perkins, costume designer; Seth Mergist, lighting designer; Michelle Ohumukini, sound designer; Jennifer Reed, production manager; and Lola Danielson, dramaturg. For more information, contact Julia Ashworth at (801) 422-4539 or julia_ashworth@byu.edu. Source: BYU News
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