DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE 542 AUDITORIUM ROAD #113 MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY EAST LANSING, MI 48824 FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK & TWITTER facebook.com/ MI.State.Theatre @MI_StateTheatre THEATRE.MSU.EDU Corporate Sponsor Proud member of U/RTA DESIGN & ILLUSTRATION BY JACOB COOPER MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE 2014-2015
TICKETS Get a season subscription to see one more example of how excellent and competitive the MSU Department of Theatre has become. THE LANSING CITY PULSE, 12/26/2013 1 2 TICKET PRICES for 2014-2015: HAPPENINGS FOR MSU STUDENTS: $65 admits one student to all productions not including Haunted AUD. FOR GENERAL PUBLIC: $85 admits one to all productions not including Haunted AUD. 1. During his recent campus visit, Pulitzer prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner met with Department Chairperson Kirk Domer. 2. As part of the ongoing collaboration with 4th Wall Theatre in association with Autism Alliance of Michigan, children with special needs flew on the set of Peter Pan. 5 FOR SENIORS AND FACULTY: $75 admits one to all productions not including Haunted AUD. 3 4 3. As part of his Senior Seminar Outreach Project, Jerry Parker (BFA 2014) led a theatre workshop at Eastminster Child Development Center. 4. At the opening of the new Studio 60 Theatre in the Auditorium, College of Arts and Letters Dean Karin A. Wurst cut the ceremonial ribbon. 5-6. At fundraising events including an evening with renowned glass artist Craig Mitchell Smith and the 5th Annual Summer Circle Gala, the Friends of Theatre at MSU raised funds for the Summer Circle Theatre Courtyard. GROUP RATES: Groups of 15 or more are eligible for 10% off regular ticket prices. Please note that group tickets must be purchased through the Wharton Box Office at least 24 hours in advance of the date of performance. Group Rates do not include Haunted AUD. 6 1 14
GUEST ARTIST ANNA DEAVERE SMITH MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2014 at 7:30 PM TICKETS $20 - COBB GREAT HALL APRIL 17-26 PASANT THEATRE This 2012 National Humanities Medal winner and Founding Director of Anna Deavere Smith Works will highlight her social and political efforts. Her presentation coincides with MSU s 60/50 Project, a community conversation on civil and human rights. Presented in partnership with the Wharton Center s Worldview Lecture Series and the College of Arts and Letters Leading Voices Series. Photo by Mary Ellen Mark HAIR THE AMERICAN TRIBAL LOVE-ROCK MUSICAL BOOK & LYRICS BY James Rado and Gerome Ragni MUSIC BY Galt McDermott Produced for the Broadway Stage by Michael Butler Originally produced by the New York Shakespeare Festival Theatre A musical celebration of an era! This powerful and emotional musical will inspire a new generation as it journeys through a tumultuous time in America s history. Hair has an unparalleled score of crossover pop/rock hits. 3 DIRECTED BY Deric McNish 12
INITIATIVES HAUNTED AUD October 29-31 A hell raiser of a fundraiser. All proceeds go directly to students initiatives. WILLIAMSTON THEATRE COLLABORATION SIRENS by Deborah Zoe Laufer March 26 April 26 A wistful romantic comedy about reigniting the spark in a fading marriage. WHARTON CENTER COLLABORATION CHESS IN CONCERT Book by Richard Nelson Lyrics by Tim Rice Music by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson March 27 and 28 This concert produced by the Department of Theatre and MSU s College of Arts & Letters in partnership with the MSU Federal Credit Union Institute for Arts & Creativity at Wharton Center as part of the new imágen program will feature Broadway talent and MSU students. MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR Shifting power dynamics is the thematic link of our plays and musicals this season. Whether political, personal or generational the struggle for power is a timeless theatrical motif. The power struggles on display this year shed light on human and civil rights at MSU, bullying, challenging authority and many more. We hope that you will consider being a season subscriber to the MSU Department of Theatre (DOT). With renovations inside the Auditorium and outside in the Summer Circle Theatre Courtyard nearing completion, we once again turn to our curricular innovation. The DOT is excited to begin a collaboration with the MSU Federal Credit Union Institute for Arts & Creativity at Wharton Center on a musical theatre immersion program. This program is designed to connect our students with top professionals working in musical theatre, specifically in new musical development. Directors, writers and actors will come to campus to work with students on workshops for public presentation. Our first collaboration will be Chess in March 2015 with more public performances to come. This new program along with our strong media acting focus, exciting design programs and celebrated outreach initiatives define MSU DOT as an innovator. The numerous unique theatrical endeavors all DOT members participate in annually make me proud of our current Spartan theatre students and faculty. Kirk A. Domer 13 2
MARCH 26 - APRIL 4 ARENA THEATRE GUEST ARTIST JOE BARROS For an unprecedented second time MSU DOT has received an award from the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation Guest Artist Initiative Program to facilitate and fund the hiring of professional SDC Directors and Choreographers to helm theatre productions at universities and colleges across the country. This year Joe Barros will be directing and choreographing our production of Carrie: the Musical. Joe is a writer, producer, director and choreographer and the Artistic Director of New York Theatre Barn (a non-profit theatre company in NYC dedicated to developing and producing new musicals). SCT COURTYARD AND FRIENDS Summer Circle Theatre will soon have a permanent home! The courtyard located between the Kresge Art Center and the Auditorium Building will be the new location for MSU s popular summer theatre and will be a welcome addition to MSU s many performance spaces. STRANGE INTERLUDE BY Eugene O Neill The Friends of Theatre at MSU are committed to raising $100,000 to support the Summer Circle Theatre Courtyard project. The Friends of Theatre also fundraise for the department; plan regional, national and international theatre trips; and volunteer with department outreach and productions. Please consider joining this exciting organization and making a donation to support our newest renovation. Your support has transformed the Department of Theatre s recent growth and achievements! Go to the Friends/Donors tab at theatre.msu.edu for more information. 11 The Pulitzer Prize-winning play analyzes the inner workings of the minds of several characters focused on Nina Leeds as she examines the many men in her life. This controversial play spans decades and locations in a surprisingly comedic epic. DIRECTED BY Rob Roznowski 4
SEPTEMBER 18-28 STUDIO 60 60/50 THEATRE PROJECT BY Rob Roznowski in collaboration with Dan Smith A world premiere theatrical examination of MSUs involvement with human and civil rights in conjunction with the year-long commemoration of the Civil Rights Act and Brown vs. Board of Education ruling. Photos from the Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections MACBETH BY William Shakespeare The Scottish play examines politics and power. Madness. Ambition. Blood. And witches. One of the most recognizable of Shakespeare s tragedies consumes the Fairchild stage. FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 1 FAIRCHILD THEATRE 5 DIRECTED BY Christina Traister DIRECTED BY Ann Folino White 10
JANUARY 30 - FEBRUARY 8 STUDIO 60 OCTOBER 10-19 PASANT THEATRE 9 FILM2THEATRE PROJECT A show developed by students that will play first as a theatrical piece and later be filmed. In a show that explores the terms theatrical and cinematic audiences will be witness to this unique experiment. DIRECTED BY Mark Colson CARRIE THE MUSICAL MUSIC BY Michael Gore LYRICS BY Dean Pitchford BOOK BY Lawrence D. Cohen Based on the novel by Stephen King Stephen King s famous novel is the basis for this haunting musical about Carrie White, a misfit struggling for acceptance in high school. Torn between her religious upbringing and her awakening sexuality, Carrie discovers she has special powers. This musical is funded in part by a grant from the Stage Directors and Choreographers Fund. DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY Joe Barros 6
NOVEMBER 6-9 STUDIO 60 NOVEMBER 14-23 ARENA THEATRE 7 8 TH ANNUAL FRESHMAN SHOWCASE POWER PLAYS This evening of new and classic scenes reflecting on the theme of power introduces our newest student actors, designers and stage managers. Come and meet the next generation of MSU power players. DIRECTED BY Dionne O Dell LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES BY Christopher Hampton From the novel by Choderlos de Laclos Scheming and steaming are two words to describe this erotic witty play that explores the sexual games played in French high society in 1780. Scorching dialogue, scandalous encounters and unforgettable characters intertwine in this disturbing comedy. DIRECTED BY Dan Smith 8