COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR What an exciting line up of plays we have for you this season! From the Shakespeare favorite in Drayton Hall to new works in the CPE, we are proud to present a thought-provoking slate of plays that promise to open our eyes and hearts to what it means to be human today. And, as always, we’ll explore innovative and engaging ways of telling these important stories, making each production a truly unique and memorable experience. Our students, faculty and staff are delighted to be able offer theatre that will reward you for your patronage with stories that deal with social justice and support diversity in all its forms. There are several new developments you can look forward to this year. First, we’ve rearranged our production schedule in an effort to avoid too much overlap between show runs. Additionally, we’ve added Tuesday performances to our main stage productions (at Longstreet and Drayton Hall Theatres), and have extended the runs of many of the productions in the Center for Performance Experiment. Now it’s easier than ever to see every show on every stage. Secondly, I’m very pleased to announce that we are in the final stages of instituting online ticketing! There will be more information about this as it all gets solidified, but let it to suffice to say that it will soon be more convenient than ever to reserve your seats. As always, we depend on your generosity to retain the highest level of quality on our stages and in our classrooms. Your financial support and patronage truly make it possible for us to fulfill our mission of making lasting impacts on the lives of our students and our community. Please help us achieve our mission by joining our donor group, The Circle, for the 2017-18 academic year, or by becoming a season subscriber. You’ll find information about both of these support options in this brochure. I look forward to seeing you this season and enjoying the shared experience of live theatre at USC! Thank you.
Robert Richmond Artistic Director Department Chair
Theatre Locations Longstreet Theatre | 1300 Greene St. Drayton Hall Theatre | 1214 College St. Lab Theatre | 1400 Wheat St. Center for Performance Experiment | 718 Devine St.
TICKET INFO TICKET MAIN PRICES STAGE* Student $15 USC Faculty/Staff, $20 Military, Seniors 60+ General Public
$22
LAB THEATRE/CENTER FOR PERF. EXPERIMENT
$10 $10 $10
SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE! Subscriber Prices include four tickets to use throughout the Main Stage season (for shows at Longstreet or Drayton Hall Theatres). Whether you use them to see each show, see shows multiple times or bring your family and friends, that’s four great performance experiences for the price of three! In addition, this year we are offering subscriptions for the Lab Theatre and Center for Performance Experiment for just $30 additional! Lab/CPE subscribers will receive one ticket for each Lab/CPE show. Tickets may not be combined. To subscribe, complete and return the form at the back of this brochure, or visit theatre.sc.edu to download a form.
SUBSCRIBER MAIN PRICES STAGE* Student $45 USC Faculty/Staff, $60 Military, Seniors 60+ General Public
$66
LAB THEATRE/CENTER FOR PERF. EXPERIMENT
+ $30 + $30 + $30
*Main Stage productions are performed at Longstreet or Drayton Hall Theatres.
TO PURCHASE TICKETS MAIN STAGE PRODUCTIONS: For shows at Longstreet or Drayton Hall Theatres, purchase through Box Office by calling 803-777-2551, or purchase in person at Longstreet Theatre. Box office hours: Monday through Friday, 12:30pm - 5:30pm. Box office opens one week prior to each production run.
LAB/CPE PRODUCTIONS: Tickets available only at the door.
Questions? Call our main office at 803.777.5208 or email theatre@sc.edu!
LAB THEATRE
AUGUST 29 - SEPTEMBER 2
THE PAVILION Written by Craig Wright Directed by Robert Richmond
“...a seamless blend of humor and pathos, philosophy and emotion.” Houston Chronicle
8pm all shows
THE WATER STATION
CENTER FOR PERFORMANCE EXPERIMENT
SEPTEMBER 21-23
Hailed by critics as “an Our Town for our time,” The Pavilion is by turns poetic and comic, romantic and philosophical. A twenty-year high school reunion reunites Peter and Kari, whose teenage relationship ended after an unexpected pregnancy. As the night progresses, a virtuosic Narrator, playing a host of characters, leads Peter and Kari to face the consequences of choices made long ago. Presented in conjunction with Full Circle Productions (www.fullcircletheatrecompany.com).
(MIZU NO EKI) Written by Shogo Ohta Directed by Steven Pearson
“….hypnotic and transporting… an evocative antidote to our daily cacophony, offering quietude as a way of theater.” The New York Times
Japanese director Shogo Ohta’s poetic masterwork The Water Station utilizes his revolutionary style of slow tempo and silence to explore human relationship with the elements and each other. Through riveting slow movement and only the actor’s silent expressions, the play depicts the dramatic stories of travelers, displaced by an unspecified atrocity, making their way to a public water spigot.
Sept. 21 3:30pm | Sept. 22 3:30pm & 8pm | Sept. 23 8pm
SEPTEMBER 23-26
LAB THEATRE
An Evening of One-Acts by Peter Shaffer Directed by Curtis Smoak & Lane Christopher Brace yourself for a double dose of outrageous farce by acclaimed playwright Peter Shaffer (Amadeus, Equus). In The White Liars, a down-andout fortune teller is visited by two new clients, each hoping to use her wiles to manipulate the other. In the uproarious Black Comedy, a starving artist’s scheme to appear successful to a wealthy investor is riotously upended by an ill-timed power outage. “A dazzling comic ballet.” New York Daily News
8pm all shows
Stranded by a shipwreck, twins Sebastian and Viola become separated on the island of Illyria. To survive, Viola disguises herself as a man (“Cesario”), so she can work for the Duke (Orsino), whom she’s secretly fallen in love with. Orsino, however, has a thing for Olivia, who quickly becomes smitten with “Cesario.” A comic love triangle for the ages, Twelfth Night is a madcap tale of mistaken identity and unrequited love! Oct. 6-7 Oct. 8 Oct. 10-13 Oct. 14
8pm 3pm 8pm 3pm & 8pm
OCTOBER 6-14
TWELFTH NIGHT Written by William Shakespeare Directed by Louis Butelli
DRAYTON HALL THEATRE
Main Stage Production
CENTER FOR PERFORMANCE EXPERIMENT
OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 4
TOP GIRLS Written by Caryl Churchill Directed by Lindsay Rae Taylor
LAB THEATRE
NOVEMBER 9-12
Esteemed British playwright Caryl Churchill’s Obie-winning Top Girls is a witty and thoughtprovoking look at the sacrifices women make to achieve success in a male-dominated world. Churchill’s inventive script begins with a young businesswoman hosting a surreal dinner party, where she celebrates her recent promotion with a group of barrier-breaking females from across the ages. Once the party ends, however, we see the devastating personal cost of Marlene’s ascension up the corporate ladder, both to her family and herself.
SPEECH & DEBATE Written by Stephen Karam Directed by Marybeth Gorman Craig
8pm all shows In this critically acclaimed dark comedy by the author of 2016 Best Play Tony-winner The Humans, three high school misfits find connection as they plot to expose a teacher who preys on his male students. In the process, they must contend with their own secrets and insecurities to discover the power of their voices. “Flat-out funny…Karam has an outstanding ear for how young people talk.” Associated Press Speech & Debate contains adult themes and is not appropriate for children.
8pm all shows
10 x 3 An Evening of Ten-Minute Plays Directed by Stan Brown
NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 3
SILENT SKY
Written by Lauren Gunderson Directed by Steven Pearson
CENTER FOR PERFORMANCE EXPERIMENT
CPE FALL REP
The CPE presents two outstanding theatre events, performed in alternating repertory! Silent Sky tells the true story of pioneering 19th century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt, played out against a landscape of fierce sisterly love, early feminism, universe-revealing science, and a time when humans were called “computers.” 10 x 3 features three actors performing a collection of ten-minute plays. 3pm and 8pm daily
Written by Arthur Miller Directed by Robert Richmond
FEBRUARY 2-10
THE CRUCIBLE
Feb. 2-3 8pm Feb. 4 3pm Feb. 6-9 8pm Feb. 10 3pm & 8pm
LONGSTREET THEATRE
Main Stage Production
This American classic about a community wrecked by religious fanaticism resonates as much today as it did when it premiered in 1953. Based on historical records, The Crucible portrays the tragic horror of the Salem witch trials of 1692. After being accused of breaking the town’s strict moral codes, a group of teen girls claim to have been overtaken b y witchcraft. Their fingerpointing causes an epidemic of paranoia in the town, leading to a harrowing and deadly inquisition that leaves no one safe from suspicion.
CENTER FOR PERFORMANCE EXPERIMENT
FEBRUARY 18-20
MFA ACTOR SOLO SHOWS Written, Directed and Performed by 2nd-Year MFA Actors As part of their MFA thesis, our graduate acting students must research, write, edit, direct and perform in a solo performance piece. Come see eight new short plays showcasing the secondyear actors in brand new, original work. Come on two consecutive nights to see all eight, or join us for the marathon on the final day.
Feb. 18-19 7pm & 8:30pm
MARCH 1-4
LAB THEATRE
Feb. 20 7pm
“...a disturbing drama that evokes empathy for survivors as victims.” The New York Times
A PIECE OF MY HEART Written by Shirley Lauro Directed by David Britt
8pm all shows
Called “the most enduring play on Vietnam in the nation,” Shirley Lauro’s A Piece of My Heart is a deeply affecting portrayal of the wartime service of six female veterans. With unflinching honesty, the women recount heartrending stories from their tours of duty, struggling to make sense of a war that irrevocably changed them and a nation that turned against them.
Written by Kate Hamill Based on the novel by Jane Austen Directed by Lindsay Rae Taylor Main Stage Production
APRIL 13-21
DRAYTON HALL THEATRE
SENSE AND SENSIBILITY
“...one of the finest stage adaptations of a literary classic.” TheatreScene.Net
Apr. 13-14 8pm Apr. 15 3pm Apr. 17-20 8pm Apr. 21 3pm & 8pm Kate Hamill’s exuberant adaptation, a 2014 critical smash, brings a comic, theatrical flair to this perennial favorite. The Dashwood sisters — prudent Elinore and impulsive Marianne — find their world of social privilege turned upside down upon the death of their father. As they struggle to navigate a life of little means, and become entangled in complicated romances, the sisters must learn from their opposite temperaments to find true happiness.
Theatre Professors Steven Pearson and Robyn Hunt developed their original play about aviation’s unsung female pioneers here at the University in 2009, before taking it on tour to venues around the country. Loosely inspired by Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull, this “theatrical poem” follows two daring French actresses, subjects of a documentary by a similarly trailblazing female filmmaker, who are preparing to make a history-making flight from Paris to Moscow in 1913. Flight opens eyes and hearts to the long-forgotten stories of the courageous women for whom the sky was not the limit.
Apr. 22-27 8pm Apr. 28 3pm & 8pm Apr. 29 8pm
APRIL 22-29
Conceived and Directed by Steven Pearson Text by Robyn Hunt
CENTER FOR PERFORMANCE EXPERIMENT
FLIGHT
FILL OUR MOST IMPORTANT ROLE...
JOIN THE CIRCLE!
Your support makes it all happen! Your tax-deductible contribution earns you a place in The Circle, our highly-esteemed donor network. As a member, you will join other like-minded individuals who love theatre and who know that the arts need support to survive and thrive. As a member you can receive free tickets, special event invitations, recognition in each show’s program and the satisfaction of knowing you are helping to create the finest theatrical experience in the state for our patrons and students alike. To join, fill out and mail back the donor form on the next page or download a form at: theatre.sc.edu. You can also email theatre@sc.edu with your desired membership level and contact information. DONOR
$100 YEARLY
Receives an invitation for 2 to all main stage preview performances and special receptions, pair of passes for one Lab show and program recognition.
CLASSIC
$350 YEARLY
Receives invitations for 2 to all preview performances and receptions, 2 complimentary tickets for all main stage shows to use yourself or give as gifts, pair of passes for all Lab shows and program recognition.
SPONSOR
$500 YEARLY
Receives invitations for 2 to all preview performances and receptions, 2 complimentary tickets for all main stage shows, passes for all Lab shows and recognition in our programs.
PATRON
$1000 YEARLY
Receives invitations for 4 to all preview performances and receptions, 4 complimentary tickets for all main stage shows, passes for all Lab shows, recognition in our programs.
BENEFACTOR
$5000 YEARLY
Receives all the Patron-level benefits plus the honor of having an undergraduate scholarship in your name for the following year.
Questions? Call our main office at 803.777.5208 or email theatre@sc.edu! Brochure photography by Jason Ayer, Gabe Crawford, Jane Hearn & Freddie Powers Main Stage Illustrations by Sophie Tipton
CIRCLE/SUBSCRIBER FORM THEATRE SOUTH CAROLINA
CONTACT INFO Name: ______________________________________ Daytime Phone: ___________ Evening: ___________ Address:____________________________________ ___________________________________________ Email:_______________________________________ CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP LEVELS Select your desired donor level below. See page 10 for details. Donor $100 yearly
Patron $1000 yearly
Classic $350 yearly
Benefactor $5000 yearly
Sponsor $500 yearly Number of Subscriptions
SUBSCRIPTIONS See page 3 for details.
Total Amount
General Admission $66
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$__________
USC, Military, Senior $60
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$__________
Student
$45
x
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$__________
Add Lab/CPE
$30
x
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$__________
TOTAL $ _________
Total Circle Donation
$_______
Total Subscription Amount
$_______
TOTAL ENCLOSED
$_______
Check or money order, please. Make payable to: University of South Carolina Or Charge (check one)
MasterCard
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Card number:___________________________________ Expiration date:_________________________________
Cut along dotted line.
Signature:______________________________________
Mail completed form to: University of SC Department of Theatre and Dance Attn: Ray Jones 1300 Greene St. Columbia, SC 29208 You may also submit by fax to 803-777-6669. Questions? Contact us at 803-777-5208.
THEATRE SOUTH CAROLINA Longstreet Theatre | 1300 Greene St. | Columbia, SC 29208 803.777.4288 | theatre@sc.edu COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES