Staging Change, Changing Stages: Auburn University Theatre 2020-21 Season Brochure

Auburn University Theatre 2020-21 Season Department of Theatre

This academic year marks the 107th season of theatre at Auburn University. My, how our world has changed since this time last year. After suddenly moving to remote learning last March and unfortunately cutting our 2019-2020 season short, we have spent the summer adjusting to the daily uncertainties of our present moment and grappling with the ever-present, everpressing issues of systematic inequality and racial injustice. Across the globe, live theatre has ceased to exist in ways that simply seem incomprehensible. And yet our work continues. Performance persists. We have spent the summer reconceiving the ways we work and creating new and exciting possibilities for our students and you, our incredible audiences. We are thrilled to share with you a season unlike any other Auburn Theatre has ever offered in its over 100-year existence.

Our theme for this season—“Staging Change, Changing Stages”— was chosen well before the pandemic if you can believe it. What had initially referenced a season marked by performances in new and reimagined physical spaces, now heralds a season exploring performance in many different spaces, including the digital. Rather than you coming to our spaces and sitting in our (comfortable) seats, we will come to you. We will come into your space (digitally of course) through your computers and electronic devices and share our work in the comfort of your home. While we remain hopeful that conditions will improve and allow us to return to our regular, in-person live performances in the spring, we are confident in our plans to provide you the same quality performances no matter the form of delivery.

Despite all the uncertainty, one constant that remains is our season’s focus squarely on the work of our students. They find themselves in an unprecedented moment for young artists.

Yet rather than simply focus on lack or loss, we challenge our students to make the most of this moment to build new skills and adapt and evolve, like theatre people do, to new sets of circumstances. Our 2020-2021 season champions these “changing stages” by offering shows that showcase student work in new and exciting formats and let you, the audience, onto those stages to better understand all the effort that goes into getting a show ready for opening night.

This academic year also marks my fourth year as chairperson of the Department of Theatre. I greatly value your patronage of our theatre and your continued support of our students and our work. Over the next year, I look forward to welcoming you into our virtual spaces, to engage in conversation, and to build community. Your safety and health are paramount to us (as evidenced by the survey we sent out in May). We cannot wait for you to return to physical spaces when it is possible, but in the interim, we hope you will continue to support the work of our students and engage in their work in new and exciting ways.

On behalf of the entire faculty, staff, and students at Auburn University Theatre, I hope you will join us as subscribers this year. If you’ve subscribed in the past, please consider renewing; if you’re new, we would love the opportunity to introduce you to our incredibly talented students and compelling shows. We hope you’ll join us!

Auburn University Theatre • 2020-21 Season

Chase Bringardner, PhD Auburn University Theatre Chair

Due to the global pandemic, all information regarding the 2020-21 Season is subject to change. Auburn University Theatre is dedicated to providing an unparalleled theatrical experience while maintaining our commitment to the education of the students who make it all possible.

With AU Theatre @ Home, we have transformed the productions this season into different formats for your distanced viewing pleasure. And yet all our well-intentioned plans could still be affected by unforeseeable developments with COVID-19.

We appreciate your patronage and your grace as we all grapple with this moment.

Instructions for viewing the performances will be sent via email. You can also call our friendly Box Office associates at 334-844-4154.

Please see the back spread of this brochure to subscribe or to make a gift that supports the work of our students.

There are multiple ways to support our students’ work, even during this time: Subscribe and enjoy a year full of opportunities to support the important work of our student citizen artists. Your subscription secures viewing privileges to each of the five shows in the season.

Support student scholarships by giving to the Student Scholarship Fund. With your help, our students will be able to focus on their studies and keep working to create professional, engaging theatre in Auburn for years to come.

Lastly, as always, you can purchase single tickets!

In any way you engage with Auburn University Theatre this year, we thank you! auburnuniversitytheatre.org

Perfectly paced...can still keep an audience in a state of tickled contentment.

~ Ben Brant ley

The New York Times

Auburn University Theatre • 2020-21 Season

October, 2020 | AU THEATRE @ HOME

Blithe Spirit

by Noël Coward Directed by Scott Phillips You are invited to attend a ghostly tale that’s anything but spooky.

Join Charles Condomine, a novelist in search of inspiration for his latest book, as he invites a local eccentric medium, Madame Arcati, to perform a séance with himself, his wife, and their friends, the Bradmans. Unknown supernatural manifestations occur and hilarious hijinks soon follow. Experience Noël Coward’s smash comedy hit that has been revived on stages from Broadway to the West End for decades.

Blithe Spirit is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

auburnuniversitytheatre.org

I come to sing a song about hope.

I'm not inspired much right now, but even so I came out here to sing a song, so here I go.

I guess I think that if I tinker long enough, one might appear.

And look, it's here.

One verse is done.

The work’s begun.

~ Jason Robert Brown "Hope"

Auburn University Theatre • 2020-21 Season

November, 2020 | AU THEATRE @ HOME

Together Apart:

A Socially Distanced Collaboration

Conceived and Directed by Ashley Butler Music Direction by James Mablin Join us in a “performative experiment� around finding connection through necessary layers of physical distance and virtual space.

This theatrical exploration will offer a variety of works that speak to the cultural and emotional conditions of the times, including songs, scenes, monologues, spoken word poetry, and movement.

The Together Apart company will explore curated content, as well as create original devised material, to share with you our common experiences of longing, loss, frustration, humor, and hope.

auburnuniversitytheatre.org

Hamill understands that Alcott’s core beliefs, if not her specifics, were invitations not to tea parties and cotillions, but to invite all women to revolution.

~ Jose Solís

TalkinBroadway.com

Auburn University Theatre • 2020-21 Season

December, 2020 | AU THEATRE @ HOME

Little Women

by Kate Hamill

Adapted from the novel by Louisa May Alcott

Directed by Daydrie Hague AN AUDIOPLAY WITH VISUALS Kate Hamill’s adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel presents the classic story in a new way that resonates with modern audiences. Join Jo, Beth, Meg, Amy, and the rest of the March family as they traverse the complex terrain of adolescence and evolving familial dynamics. This production breathes new life into the text with a bright, vibrant retelling of the plight of these women as they assert themselves in the world and prove themselves anything but little.

Little Women was commissioned and originally produced by the Jungle Theater (Sarah Rasmussen, Artistic Director), Minneapolis, MN. New York City premiere at Primary Stages (Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director; Shane D. Hudson, Executive Director; Casey Childs, Founder), June, 2019.

Developed at the Colorado New Play Festival, Steamboat Springs, June, 2018.

auburnuniversitytheatre.org

The intricate plot, mingling fictional characters with such historical figures as Harry Houdini, Henry Ford and Booker T. Washington, unspools with the easy grace of a Scott Joplin melody.

~ Greg Evans Variety

Auburn University Theatre • 2020-21 Season

February, 2021

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FORMAT TO BE ANNOUNCED

Ragtime A Staged Concert Book by Music by Lyrics by TERRENCE MCNALLY STEPHEN FLAHERTY LYNN AHRENS Based on the novel Ragtime By E. L. Doctorow

Directed by Chase Bringardner Music Direction by James Mablin | Choreography by Jeri Dickey Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens’ Ragtime weaves together the stories of three distinct groups of Americans as they experience the dawning of a new century, presented here in a fully staged concert version. Blending both historical and fictional characters, Ragtime employs the musical styles of the early twentieth century to speak to the differences that define us and the challenges of creating community. Hear that “distant music” that gave “the nation a new syncopation” — “The people called it Ragtime!”

Ragtime is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 423 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019.

Tel.: (212) 541-4684 Fax: (212) 397-4684 www.MTIShows.com

auburnuniversitytheatre.org

Every creative act involves a leap into the void.

~ Anne Bogart Director

Auburn University Theatre • 2020-21 Season

April, 2021

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FORMAT TO BE ANNOUNCED

The Future is Here: A Student One-Act and Performance Festival

Collaboration led by Tessa Carr, Sarah Chandler, and Adrienne Wilson A festival of one-acts and original choreography, The Future is Here is fully produced, directed, managed, designed, and performed by the young creative minds of our community. With a commitment to learning through practical application and the empowerment of the next generation of collaborative art makers, the talent of our students is brought center stage.

Encouraged to think critically, creatively, and collaboratively in the process of creation as well as live performance, our pre-professional students tackle questions such as: Why do we believe this idea?

What does this idea say about us as a community? What does it mean for us to gather in a space, and what is our responsibility to our community when we cannot? Join us to celebrate the work of student directors, designers, performers, managers, and producers.

auburnuniversitytheatre.org

Department of Theatre 2020-21 Scholarship Donation Form

TICKETS:

Name(s):____________________________________________________

Season Subscription: 5 shows for $60 (A savings of $15!)

Address:____________________________________________________ City:____________________________ State:________ Zip:____________ Email:__________________________ Phone: (______)_______________ Gifts of $100 or more will be recognized in all programs for the 2020-21 season.

Name as you would like it listed in the program: ______________________________

YES, I would like to give to the Student Scholarship Fund. I have enclosed my generous gift of:

 $50  $100  $250  $400  $___________

Make check payable to Auburn University Foundation. >>>>> IMPORTANT: Mail this form with payment to: A uburn University Theatre 211 Telfair Peet Theatre

DONATE ONLINE AT:

Auburn, Alabama 36849-5422

auburngiving.org/theatre QUESTIONS? Contact the Main Office at 334.844.4748

Checks written for the Student Scholarship Fund must be written separately from checks for season subscription purchases.

T hank you!

Your gift will be considered fully tax deductible!

Auburn University Theatre • 2020-21 Season

Individual tickets: $15 per show

Buy Online:

theatretickets.auburn.edu

Box Office: 334.844.4154 theatre@auburn.edu

All Fall 2020 productions will be pre-recorded performances that are delivered virtually. The video of each show will be available for on-demand viewing over a limited period of time, during which you can comfortably enjoy the performance on your electronic device. Watch your email for specific instructions.

The format of our Spring 2021 productions will be announced by the end of 2020.

Auburn University Theatre 2020-21 Season Subscription Form Name(s):____________________________________________________ Address:____________________________________________________ City:____________________________ State:________ Zip:____________ Email:__________________________ Phone: (______)_______________ Number of Season Subscriptions: _____ @ $60 per subscription = Total __________ Make check payable to Auburn University Theatre. >>>>>>>> IMPORTANT: Mail this form with payment to: A uburn University Theatre 211 Telfair Peet Theatre

Auburn, Alabama 36849-5422

PURCHASE ONLINE AT:

theatretickets.auburn.edu

Checks written for season subscription purchases must be written separately from checks for Student Scholarship Fund gifts.

QUESTIONS? Contact the Box Office at 334.844.4154

I * mportant

Be sure to share your email address above. Specific viewing dates and access to all streamed performances will automatically be emailed to you as soon as each streamed production becomes available. The season subscription convenience just got better!

auburnuniversitytheatre.org

1161 W. Samford Avenue, Bldg. 8 Auburn, Alabama 36849-0001 Department Theatre Auburn University is anofequal opportunity educational institution/employer.

NON-PROFIT U.S. Postage PAID Auburn, AL Permit NO.9

Season Subscription Offer!

auburnuniversitytheatre.org 334.844.4154

This season, experience the stages of change from the comfort of your own home.

Details inside ...

Brochure Creative Team

Artistic Director: Chase Bringardner Creative Director/Graphic Artist: Ashley Butler Principal Photographer: Jeff Etheridge Project Manager: Rachele DeLuca Director of Production: Katie Shade Editorial Team: Becky Henderson, Rachele DeLuca Additional Photographic Contributors: Ashley Butler, Henry Eiland, Fereshteh Rostampour Additional photographs sourced from public domain, historical, and stock libraries.

Special Thanks

Auburn University Theatre gratefully acknowledges support for our season from Dr. Bill Hardgrave and the Office of the Provost of Auburn University.