Written by Micah J Maatman
The Department of Theatre and Dance at Gustavus Adolphus College is pleased to announce an exciting season of new works and forever friends. The 2016-17 schedule features cutting-edge contemporary theatre, student playwrights, award-winning choreography, and the return of Emeritus Professor, Robert Gardner, in the title role of King Lear!
The season begins with More Light by British playwright, Bryony Lavery. The daring, witty script takes us deep within the tomb of China’s last emperor, where his many concubines have been sealed alive with their master’s dead body. Directed by Associate Professor, Henry MacCarthy, the play examines the women’s relationships and moral choices, as they struggle to survive. Performing in Anderson Theatre November 17-20, 2016.
In December, student work is showcased in the Theatre Gallery and in Shared Space. The Theatre Gallery, mentored by Professor Amy Seham, is a mini-Fringe Festival which provides our talented theatre majors with opportunities to write, devise, direct and design their own pieces and to see their ideas come to life in production. The Gallery features interdisciplinary Honors projects, including a play based on the legend of Ulysses, and a physical theatre piece exploring sexual identity. Shared Space is a student-directed, choreographed, designed and performed studio dance concert. The show gives new choreographers an opportunity to present their work to the community and features a diverse collection of dance styles and forms. Performing in the Black Box and the Kresge Dance Studio December 8-11, 2016.
Students will rehearse intensively over the January term to develop an innovative production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and book by Hugh Wheeler, this Tony award-winning musical takes a page from a Victorian “penny dreadful” – blending humor with horror for a dark and delicious evening of theatre. Directed by Henry MacCarthy. Performing February 17-19, 2017 in a site-specific location to be announced.
The Gustavus Dance Company presents its annual concert in March, featuring innovative, original choreography by the department’s accomplished faculty and guest artists. Returning to Gustavus, alumna Katy Becker ’02, will set a piece on the Company’s gifted group of seniors, and guest artist Anthony Roberts will create a new work for an all-male dance. Directors Michele Rusinko and Melissa C. Rolnick have a lot more in store from our award-winning company. Performing in Anderson Theatre March 17-19, 2017.
To round out the year, director Amy Seham and Professor Emeritus Robert Gardner join forces once again to bring one of Shakespeare’s greatest works to the Anderson Theatre. Gardner starred as Prospero in Seham’s production of The Tempest in 2007. Ten years later, the team tackles The Tragedy of King Lear. Shakespeare’s powerful play explores power, madness, and the eternal struggle between the parent and the child in each of us. The dazzling creative work of faculty designers Micah J Maatman, Larissa McConnell and Terena M. Wilkens will be on display in this grand finale to our season. May 6-7 and 12-14, 2017.
Tickets for Anderson Theatre and associated events in the Gustavus Department of Theatre and Dance are available online two weeks prior to opening at gustavustickets.com, at the Information Desk in the Jackson Student Center or by calling 507-933-7590. Tickets unsold on the day of the performance will be available one hour in advance at the door.
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