The Department of Theatre & Dance at Gustavus Adolphus College presents a Festival of Student Work November 15 – 18. A miniature fringe festival in its own right, this collaboration of more than sixty actors, dancers, designers, and technicians, operating on ten different production schedules, will fill Anderson Theatre and the Schaefer Fine Arts Center for four days of artistic celebration.
Student directors will present One Act Plays in the Gustavus Black Box Theatre. These include: The Dumbwaiter, directed by Tristan Rholl, Boiling People in My Coffee, featuring an all First-Year cast, and directed by Brian Pelach, and In Terms of Proof, an original piece written by Courtney Covey, and directed by Lillie Hollingsworth. These One Act productions deal with themes as diverse as existential meaning, hierarchal power structures, the finality of death, and immaculate conception.
Anderson Stage will come alive with pieces set by senior choreographers and dancers. Britta Peterson has choreographed two pieces to celebrate the power of today’s woman, one in coordination with Emily Bulling. Ky Oleson will perform while suspended from a ribbon twenty feet above Anderson stage, in an act reminiscent of Cirque du Soleil. Noemi Lopez and Lindsey Radloff round out the show with inspiring pieces of their own creation.
Gustavus’ social justice theatre troupe, I Am We Are, presents E Pluribus Gustavus 2.0. A revamped version of the show that the group performs annually for First-Year Student Orientation, 2.0 features newly-created and updated material. Addressing issues of justice on campus and in the community, this intensely personal, emotionally real performance leaves the audience contemplating the ability of the individual to change the world. This student-created work is a powerful call to action. It contains strong language and is not recommended for children.
The festival also includes Late Night Soup, a variety show where students can present any type of artistic work. From independent to group work, from poetry to improv, from spoken word to original songs, anything can materialize on Anderson stage during this special late-night event. Late Night Soup is being conducted under the supervision of Adam Butler. Its intent is to provide a public venue for students whose voices are not normally heard on the Anderson Theatre stage.
Performances start on Thursday, November 15 and last until Sunday, November 18. For tickets, call the Student Activities Office (SAO), (507) 933-7590. Each event is ticketed separately and seating is limited.
Amy Seham, Associate Professor of Theatre and Chair of the department is providing faculty supervision for this Festival of Student Work. Taylor Granlund has undertaken the role of Productions Manager. For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Dr. Seham at (507) 933-7640 or Ms. Granlund at (651) 308-9433.
Gustavus Adolphus College Festival of Student Work Performance Schedule:
Thursday, November 15 in The Black Box:
7:00 PM The Dumbwaiter
8:15 PM In Terms of Proof
9:30 PM Boiling People in My Coffee
Friday, November 16 in Anderson Theatre:
7:00 PM Choreographers’ Gallery
9:00 PM Late Night Soup
Saturday, November 17 in Anderson Theatre:
1:00 PM Choreographers’ Gallery
7:00 PM I Am We Are, E Pluribus Gustavus 2.0
9:00 PM Late Night Soup
Saturday, November 17 in The Black Box:
2:00 PM The Dumb Waiter
3:15 PM In Terms of Proof
4:30 PM Boiling People in My Coffee
Sunday, November 18 in The Black Box:
1:00 PM Boiling People in My Coffee
2:00 PM The Dumb Waiter
3:15 PM In Terms of Proof
4:30 PM Boiling People in My Coffee
Sunday, November 18 in Anderson Theatre:
5:00 PM Choreographers’ Gallery