The Forty-First Annual Region III Festival 2009 Illinois, Indiana
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The Forty-first Annual Region III Festival 2009 ynes H Jason Jason : y b esigned D Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin January 6 to 11, 2009 Hosted by Saginaw Valley State University Presented and Produced by The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival is sponsored by Delta Air Lines Additional support is provided by: The U.S. Department of Education Dr. and Mrs. Gerald McNichols The Laura Pels International Foundation The Kennedy Center Corporate Fund The National Committee for the Performing Arts Region III 41st Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival 1 2009 Festival Productions The Seagull by Anton Chekhov, translated by Jean-Claude van Itallie Purdue University Chekhov’s monumental masterpiece of unrequited love, failed ambition and the changing face of Russian theatre is presented here within a theatrical world of heightened realism and vivid metaphor. Mobile aquariums, the color TV of 1890’s Russia, white period furniture floating on a high gloss black floor, cascading light bulbs, a heightened Edwardian fashion sensibility and Gypsy music all pay homage to Chekhov’s own desire to have symbol and metaphor more fully represent the world of his plays. FRIDAY, JANUARY 9 8:00 PM Temple Theatre How I Learned to Drive The Trojan Women by Paula Vogel by Euripides, adapted by Ellen McLaughlin University of Michigan-Flint Oakland University “How I Learned to Drive” unfolds with all the slow motion clarity of an impend- The Women of Troy struggle with the aftermath of war and destruction of ing car crash as we witness the social dynamic that exposes a young girl to the sys- their beloved homeland. Playwright Ellen McLaughlin developed her riveting tematic sexual predations of her sympathetic uncle. Enacted by the victim’s older interpretation of this classic work in 1996. Performed with prologue/epi- self, this story of loss is transformed into one of recovery and forgiveness. logue by the company and shadow interpreters for deaf and hard of hearing patrons. SATURDAY JANUARY 10 FRIDAY, JANUARY 9 9:00 AM & 12:00 PM NOON, 3:00 pm & 6:00 pm Malcolm Field Theatre Black Box Theatre 2 Region III 41st Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Balkan Women by Jules Tasca University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Set in Serbia under the reign of Slobodan Milosevic, “The Balkan Women” tells the story of Amina and her activist daughter Samira who are being “detained” in a prison camp for Muslim women. The horrors of war are a daily reality for women caught in an endless cycle of violence. THURSDAY, JANUARY 8 9:00 AM, 1:00 pm & 8:00 pm Black Box Theatre Spike Heels by Theresa Rebeck University of Indianapolis “Pygmalion” goes awry in this contemporary comedy, which explores sex, power, and the possibility of a four sided love triangle. The combatants are a sexy, volatile, young woman and three upscale Boston types: a writer, a lawyer and a fiancée in sensible shoes. SATURDAY, JANUARY 10 9:00 AM, NOON & 4:00 pm Black Box Theatre How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel University of Michigan-Flint “How I Learned to Drive” unfolds with all the slow motion clarity of an impend- ing car crash as we witness the social dynamic that exposes a young girl to the sys- tematic sexual predations of her sympathetic uncle. Enacted by the victim’s older self, this story of loss is transformed into one of recovery and forgiveness. SATURDAY JANUARY 10 9:00 AM & 12:00 PM Malcolm Field Theatre Dearborn Americana by Christian Krauspe Western Illinois University “Dearborn Americana” is a political farce involving three Russian spies who attempt to kidnap Henry Ford so that he can help rebuild the strug- gling new Soviet Union. As an undergraduate theatre student at Western Illinois University, “Dearborn Americana” playwright Christian Krauspe (’07), received a Best New Play award at the ’07 American College The- atre Festival. SATURDAY, JANUARY 10 8:00 PM Temple Theatre Region III 41st Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival 3 2009 Festival Productions Never the Sinner The Saint Plays by John Logan by Erik Ehn University of Wisconsic-Stevens Point Goshen College In 1920s Chicago, two handsome, wealthy young men plan the perfect “The Saint Plays” explore connections between historical saints, contem- murder. Based on the sensational true story of Nathan Leopold and porary life, earthly existence, spirit and eternity. They are poetic, playful Richard Loeb, who shocked the nation when they murdered a 14 year-old and political, and concern themselves with unanswerable questions about boy simply to prove they could, “Never The Sinner” is a compelling look brokenness and suffering. This production also includes an original piece, at the media circus surrounding the “Crime of the Century” and the two “When I Rose (Rose of Viterbo)” written by the playwright in memory of teenagers who stood at the center of it. Goshen College theatre student Deanne Binde. THURSDAY, JANUARY 8 FRIDAY, JANUARY 9 1:00 pm & 8:00 pm 12:00 PM & 4:00 PM Malcolm Field Theatre Malcolm Field Theatre Perfect Little Angel by Aaron Wineman Central Michigan University After trying to black mail Jesus, Bob the Angel is sent to Hell, where he dis- covers Satan and God have a history that no one could have ever expected. Wicked, irreverent fun! FRIDAY, JANUARY 9 11:00 PM Recital Hall Swap Desk Since admission to all performances is by ticket only, and because each school will receive only a limited number of tickets, a swap desk is available. Participants wishing to exchange tickets may do so Wednesday through Saturday at the Festival Registration Desk. A one-to-one exchange may be made for productions still to be seen at the Festival. The swap desk will be open 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM on Wednesday and two hours prior to each performance. Participants may trade any valid ticket for any avail- able ticket. In the event that tickets are still available within fifteen minutes of the show’s curtain time, remaining tickets will be distributed without the necessity of a trade. Five minutes before any performance starting time, remaining seats will be available for non-ticket holders. 4 Region III 41st Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Welcome hange” has been the word of the year. In a political campaign year, “change” was held out as a mantra of hope. In the sphere of economics, “change” meant that we no longer “Cdo business as usual. And for Region III of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, “change” is also the name of the game. It’s a very real change to be in Saginaw, Michigan. The last time our festival was held in this great state was 1985 at Western Michigan University’s Festival XVII. It is significant to be in Michigan 24 years later with a renewed attention to change. The faculty and administration of Saginaw Valley State University and the local businesses have been exceptionally welcoming. This change of venue is a reason for celebration! Change is not always so easy, and a more difficult example is the reorganization of our region from a collection of five Midwestern states to a region of four. Ohio and all of its constituent schools will officially become part of Region II beginning with the productions of this winter and spring semester. Change of this sort comes with regret, but also with new possibilities. To all our friends and colleagues in Ohio we send our thanks for many years in Region III and our best wishes for great years to come with Region II. As we wrap up our third festival as co-chairs, we prepare to hand off the leadership of the region to a new team of capable guides. Kerro Knox and Ansley Valentine will step up as the new co-chairs of Region III, and will be joined by a team of willing volunteers. We look forward to the growth in new areas of student directing, dramaturgy, and stage management. New student artists and leaders will be identified in each of these areas. We take pride in the new web-site design, as well as the beginning of “the costume parade” spectacular, but mostly in the accomplishments of each student who participates in KCACTF on home campuses, at the regional festival, or in Washing ton, DC. Congratulations to all for being agents of change: creative artists whose contributions move us forward. - Finally, in this season of change we can’t help but look back and thank all who have helped with festivals in Milwaukee and Saginaw. Thanks too to the respon dents who visit campuses throughout the year. We have had a great time meeting people within Region - III and around the country. Each individual contact has broadened our outlook on the future of theatre in this country, and has given us hope for the change that is to come. Tom Mitchell and Sandi Zielinski Co-chairs, KCACTF Region III Table of Contents KCACTF National Staff ................................................................................... 7 Festival Respondents and Guests ...............................................................44 Major Festival Events at a Glance ................................................................ 14 Participating and Associate Productions ....................................................49 Participating Production Responses ........................................................... 21 Certificates of Merit...................................................................................... 51 2009 Design Exposition Participants .......................................................... 26 Student Designers for Productions .............................................................