au theatre 2007-08
In February 2008 Ashland University hosted the Dead Man Walking School Theatre Project, a campus-wide series of events designed to create dialogue on capital punishment, an issue currently at debate in the courts. In addition to the Department of Theatre's production of Dead Man Walking (see below) and the many other events surrounding this Project, Sister Helen Prejean, author of the book on which the production is based, discussed her experiences with the death penalty on Saturday, February 23, 2008, in Hugo Young Theatre. About 400 were in attendance for the lecture and book signing. Sister Helen also attended the performance that evening and offered her praise on our efforts with the Project. Photo: Sr. Helen signs a book for senior Rachel Frady who performs as Sr. Helen in AU Theatre's production of Dead Man Walking. Photo by Maurer Photography.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
We have heard this quotation many times over, but have we really stopped to ponder its meaning? In its 2007-08 season Ashland University Theatre explores the stories of those who have realized its worth and who have risked all to defy fate. While many are willing to sit on the sidelines waiting for life to happen, Nick and Miranda, Mary, and Sister Helen refuse to let their fates be dictated by chance. Instead, they determine to mold their own destinies through hard-fought battles, willing to bear the consequences should they fail. So take a chance, take a seat, and follow the lives of these risk-takers who know that nothing ventured is, indeed, nothing gained.
“It’s only by risking... that we live at all.”
- William James, philosopher
Expecting Isabel
By Lisa Loomer
October 4-13, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
October 14, 2007, 2 p.m.
Studio Theatre
Directed by Professor Ric Goodwin
From self-help books to in vitro fertilization, the comedy Expecting Isabel follows the story of Nick and Miranda, an infertile and seemingly mismatched couple who must traverse the minefield of modern baby-making in their quest for parenthood. As their mounting frustrations reveal cracks in their relationship, Miranda’s increasingly obsessive crusade risks not only her health, but also their savings and their marriage. Nothing ventured will surely gain no child, but will all else be lost on the journey to Isabel?
*Please note that Expecting Isabel contains adult themes and language.
“Because God doesn’t play dice with the universe, right? But what if He does? What if He’s got a serious gambling problem?”
- Nick, Act II
The Secret Garden
Book and Lyrics by Marsha Norman
Music by Lucy Simon
Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett
November 2-10, 2007
Hugo Young Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Directed by Dr. Teresa Durbin-Ames
“Mistress Mary, quite contrary….” Orphaned and alone in India, spoiled Mary Lennox sets forth to England to live with her last surviving relative, a reclusive, hunch-backed uncle. As Mary struggles to adapt to her bleak, yet almost-magical, surroundings, she discovers her sickly cousin and a secret, locked garden that has been purposefully neglected by her grieving uncle since her beautiful Aunt Lily’s death. Mary risks the estrangement of her uncle and the wrath of his brother in her determined pursuit to bring the garden, and her family, back to life.
“Hold on,
Hold on to someone standin’ by.
Hold on,
Don’t even ask how long or why.”
- Martha, Hold On, Act II
Dead Man Walking
By Tim Robbins
Based on the book by Sister Helen Prejean
February 22-March 1, 2008
Hugo Young Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Directed by Professor Ric Goodwin
Dead Man Walking is based on the true story of Sister Helen Prejean’s interactions with a death row inmate. Venturing into mortal and moral combat, the Sister risks alienating herself from the grieving families if she supports the murderer, yet she risks failing her conscience should she turn her back on him. As a servant of God, should she pray for the souls of the dead or for the soul of the killer? Can she pray for both? Is it an eye for an eye, or do we turn the other cheek? As Sister Helen soon learns, there are no easy answers.
“What he was involved in was evil. I don’t condone it. I just don’t see much sense in doing the same to him. Killing people who kill people to show that killing is wrong….”
- Sister Helen Prejean, Act II
AU’s Dead Man Walking School Theatre Project will encompass a campus-wide series of events exploring the controversial issue of capital punishment. www.ashland.edu/deadmanwalking.
Experience/Experiment:
The 2008 One-Act Festival
April 21-26, 2008
Studio Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Produced, directed and performed by AU students, the bi-annual One-Act Festival is the perfect opportunity for our students to explore their talents. In two or three short productions each evening, the students participating in Experience/Experiment will venture into the unknown and showcase the reasons AU Theatre has had the honor of performing in the regional Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival two consecutive years and why our students consistently win awards.
“Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”
- T.S. Eliot, poet
Did you miss our 06-07 Season?
Here's what you missed....
A Not-So-Fairy-Tale Ending
Everyone loves a fairy tale ending. Beauty's beast turns into a handsome prince, and they all live happily ever after. This season Ashland University Theatre presents four productions that have, well, not-so-fairy-tale endings. From balconies to beanstalks and drama to comedy, the 06-07 season shows that sometimes an unhappily-ever-after ending is, strangely enough, not only inevitable, but also proper. Princes, princesses, pride and privilege abound this season, but the happy ending is still elusive. Climb the beanstalk with AU Theatre and discover the power, tragedy, and humor in a not-so-fairly-tale ending.
Romeo and Juliet
By William Shakespeare
October 13-21, 2006
Hugo Young Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Directed by Professor Ric Goodwin
Ashland University Theatre 2006-2007 opens with the beauty and poetry of a true classic. Hate denies love and death brings reconciliation in Shakespeare's most famous and lyrical play, The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet . In one of the greatest love stories in Western history, the star cross'd lovers are forbidden their love by feuding families. Love, hate, and the tragic consequences of reckless, denied desire make this play forever a classic.
Watch the Gala Video for this production.
Three Tall Women
By Edward Albee
November 14-18, 2006
Studio Theatre, 7:30 p.m.November 19, 2006
Studio Theatre, 2 p.m.
Directed by Dr. Teresa Durbin
In Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning and deeply personal play, three women become one. In an insightful story of human strength, weakness, and self-deception, a young female lawyer arrives to settle the estate of a wealthy elderly woman and comes away with more questions than answers from the dying woman and her caretaker. Will she become the lonely caretaker? Is her fate that of the old woman dying alone? Are they all the same woman? Eye-opening and heartbreaking, Three Tall Women isn't afraid to show that life is, indeed, not a fairy tale.
Into the Woods
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by James Lapine
February 23-24, March 1-3, 2007
Hugo Young Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Directed by Dr. Teresa Durbin
"Do you know if what you wish is what you want?" This musical comedy wonders what happens after the happy ending. Our fairy tale heroes and heroines find that everything comes with a price. Cinderella gets her prince, Jack climbs the beanstalk, and the witch gets her wish, but is it all for the best? In Sondheim's usual grand style, he interweaves the stories of various fairy-tale characters and comes up with an original story in which the characters realize that their lives are all inextricably intertwined and that their actions have consequences far beyond their reach.
Watch the Gala Video for this production.
Five Women Wearing the Same Dress
By Alan Ball
April 19-28, 2007
Studio Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Directed by Heather Corwin
By the writer of the acclaimed Six Feet Under and American Beauty , this comedy features five bridesmaids wearing one ugly dress. Seeking refuge from the sugary wedding reception, they escape to the bedroom of the bride's sister to commiserate and discuss the favorite topic of women everywhere. From the lesbian sister-in-law to the young religious cousin, this diverse group of women offers commentary, witty and often biting, on men, marriage and intimacy. Don't miss this hilarious production of women seeking, but not finding, their knights in shining armor!