Monday, June 27, 2016

UIS Theatre program announces 2016-17 season

University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) Theatre is excited to announce its production lineup for the 2016-17 academic year. In fall 2016, the program will present Shakespeare’s "Macbeth". The spring 2017 production will be "Almost, Maine" by John Cariani.

"Macbeth" will be performed seven times, Oct. 28-30 and Nov. 3-6, 2016, in the Studio Theatre, lower level of the Public Affairs Center. Bill Kincaid, professor of Theatre at Western Illinois University, is the guest director; D.C. Wright, associate professor of Theatre at Western Illinois University, is the guest fight choreographer; Katie Eickhoff, adjunct instructor of Theatre at Lincoln Land Community College, is the guest costume designer; and Dathan Powell, UIS assistant professor of Theatre, is the scenic design/technical director. The roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth will be played by UIS Theatre faculty members Eric and Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson.

Open auditions/crew interviews will be held Aug. 29-30, 2016 in The Studio Theatre. Callbacks will take place on Aug. 31. Auditions and crew positions are open to students, faculty, staff, and community members. Check www.uis.edu/theatre for times and information. Some of the crew positions available include stage management, props master, costume crew, sound designer, lighting crew and set construction.

"Macbeth" is one of the world’s most famous plays, with an aura of mystique and superstition surrounding even its title. The story explores the dark side of ambition, as the royal couple climb to power and then struggle to maintain it. Ghosts, witches, murder, suicide, guilt, prophecy, and the supernatural power of fate hang over the play, conveyed to the audience in some of Shakespeare’s most memorable language. Come see why Shakespeare’s work continues to affect us and hear how his view of the world lingers to this day.

The spring production, "Almost, Maine" will be performed April 7-9 and 13-15, 2017 in the Studio Theatre, located on the lower level of the Public Affairs Center. UIS Associate Professor of Theatre Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson will direct with scenic design by UIS Assistant Professor of Theatre Dathan Powell. Open auditions/crew interviews will be held Jan. 22-23, 2017 in The Studio Theatre. Callbacks will take place on Jan. 24. Auditions and crew positions are open to students, faculty, staff, and community members. Check www.uis.edu/theatre for times and information.

 “On a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter, all is not quite what it seems in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, Almost’s residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised, Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend – almost – in this delightful midwinter night’s dream.” – From Dramatists Play Service, Inc.

Ordinary people experience life’s greatest force – love – in funny, awkward, bittersweet, and redeeming ways. A particular time in a wondrous place changes the lives of all involved and reminds us that moments shared by two people are the times when we can be the most transformed.

The curtain time for Thursday, Friday and Saturday night shows is 7:30 p.m. with the Sunday performance starting at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $14 for adults, $12 for senior citizens (65 or older with a picture I.D.), $10 for UIS Faculty/Staff and $8 for UIS students (and all other college-level students) with a valid, current i-card or college I.D. card. Please note that a service charge, not included in the prices above, from Sangamon Auditorium will be added to each ticket price, at the time of purchase. To avoid a higher service charge, buying tickets in person at the Sangamon Auditorium ticket office is highly recommended.

For more information on the upcoming season, please visit the UIS Theatre website at www.uis.edu/theatre.

No comments: