University of South Carolina Department of Theatre and Dance Season Brochure 2019-2020

From the Artistic Director The UofSC Department of Theatre and Dance welcomes you to our new performance season – one full of hope, inspiration, and love. As we enter another election year and look back from 2020 in hindsight, we hope to bring you the courage to step aside from fear and join us as we offer stories that allow for empathy and tolerance.

From the humorous, backfiring pranks and eventual atonement of Much Ado About Nothing... to the unprecedented genius of Amadeus... to the passionate journeys we’ll share through the art of classical and modern dance... we invite you to join us in a season of JOY. Contemplate contemporary narratives that resonate and inspire in the Lab Theatre and the Center for Performance Experiment. Open your hearts and minds to new expressions in dance, and experience brilliant ballets performed by our students in company with Principal Dancers from the New York City Ballet. And, enjoy an excellent Main Stage theatre season, where great storytelling merges with dazzling concept and design to create moments you’ll never forget.

When the continuous media cycle becomes too much, and the need to do something completely different takes over, we encourage you to join us as a patron and subscriber. Let’s make this a year of the performing arts, celebrating what unites our nation and avoiding what divides us.

We look forward to sharing it all with you and yours.

Robert Richmond Department Chair Artistic Director

Ticket Prices

Theatre Main Stage & Dance Events*

Lab Theatre

STUDENT

$15

$10

UofSC FACULTY/STAFF, MILITARY, SENIORS (60+)

$20

$10

GENERAL PUBLIC

$22

$10

*Not including “Ballet Stars of New York”

Ballet Stars of New York Tickets ORCHESTRA FIRST BALCONY SECOND BALCONY STUDENTS

$35 $30 $25 $15

To Purchase Tickets LONGSTREET THEATRE / DRAYTON HALL THEATRE

Order online or from the box office.

Online Tickets: theatre.sc.edu dance.sc.edu Box office phone: 803-777-2551 Box office location: Longstreet Theatre 1300 Greene St. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

Box office hours: Mon - Fri, 12:30pm - 5:30pm. Box office is open one week prior to each production run.

LAB THEATRE

Order online at theatre.sc.edu or purchase in person at the door.

KOGER CENTER

Order online at kogercenterforthearts.com or call 803-777-5112.

Order tickets online at: kogercenterforthearts.com or call 803-777-5112

October 25 - November 9 Written by William Shakespeare Director To Be Announced Love, deception, and razor-sharp repartee take the stage in Shakespeare's beloved comedy! The noble Don Pedro has his mind set on bringing together two romantic couples -- the smitten Claudio and Hero, and the constantly bickering Benedick and Beatrice. His matchmaking efforts are foiled, however, by the scheming of the jealous, conniving Don John. Featuring some of The Bard’s most cunning wordplay and a cadre of his most colorful characters, Much Ado About Nothing is indeed a “merry war” filled with adventure, romance and unwavering wit!

february 7-22 Written by Sarah Ruhl Directed by Lindsay Rae Taylor

“…an inexpressibly moving theatrical fable about love, loss and the pleasures and pains of memory.”

- The New York Times Main Stage illustrations (except "A Midsummer Night's Dream") by Kieran Ash

Hailed by The New York Times as one of the best plays of the last 25 years, Eurydice is Sarah Ruhl’s inventive reimagining of a tragic Greek myth from its heroine’s perspective. On the day of her wedding to the musical prodigy Orpheus, Eurydice unexpectedly falls to her death and descends into the underworld. In the Land of the Dead, Eurydice reunites with her departed father and sets off on a journey to remember — and reclaim — the life and love she lost.

New Main Stage Show Schedule!

This season, shows at Drayton Hall and Longstreet Theatres will perform: Thursday - Saturday: 8pm Matinees: 3pm on 1st & 2nd Sundays & final Saturday See website for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” show times.

Ticket Prices General $22 UofSC Fac/Staff, Military, Seniors (60+) $20 Students $15

Theatre Locations Drayton Hall Theatre 1214 College St. Longstreet Theatre 1300 Greene St.

april

3-18

Written by Peter Shaffer

Director To Be Announced

Peter Shaffer once called his Tony® and Oscar®-winning story of jealousy, ambition, and divine genius “a fantasia on the theme of Mozart and Salieri.” In Shaffer’s fictionalized history, successful composer Antonio Salieri recounts how he became intrigued by his genius contemporary Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, then quickly irritated by the young composer’s obscene immaturity. As Salieri’s disgust turns to bitter resentment, he begins to question a God who would bestow heavenly gifts on someone so unworthy, and sets out to destroy Mozart’s career. ““If Mr. Shaffer shatters the audience’s idealized illusions about his title character, he then goes on to smash our romantic illusions about ourselves.” — The New York Times

There is no performance on April 12 (Easter). An additional 3pm matinee will be performed April 11.

a special event on a brand new stage!

Come make history with us at our new outdoor venue!

Bring the whole family to enjoy the ultimate summertime fantasy as The Bard intended -- under the stars! This May, we'll debut our new outdoor stage inspired by Shakespeare's own Globe Theatre. Made possible in part by a grant from the UofSC Excellence Initiative, this portable venue will bring the uniquely communal environment of the Globe into the 21st century and provide our Directed by audiences with memorable outdoor theatre experiences for years to come. A Midsummer Night's Robert Richmond Dream weaves together the stories of four young lovers and a group of roaming actors, who wander through an enchanted forest and find themselves entangled by the mischievous whims may 19-30 of a band of powerful fairies. A timeless tale of magic, mix-ups, and mayhem, Visit theatre.sc.edu for show times, ticket prices and location. this Shakespeare classic reminds us all just "what fools these mortals be!"

1400 Wheat St.

(First floor, Booker T. Washington Building)

All Lab Theatre shows start at 8pm Tickets: $10

Written by Lauren Gunderson

Directed by David Neil Edwards

In this award-winning ode to youth, life, and love, two students- one of whom is homebound with a serious illness- find themselves forced to work together on a last-minute class project. As they strive to overcome their clashing personalities and make sense of Leaves of Grass, they find themselves connecting in ever more surprising and mysterious ways. “Emotionally blindsiding. Sensational!” - DC Metro Theatre Arts

November 20-23

February 29 - March 3 Written by John Steinbeck Directed by David Britt Set during the Great Depression, Steinbeck’s classic story follows two migrant drifters, short-tempered George and his simple-minded companion, Lenny.

After they find employment at a new farm, the two friends strive to work hard and realize a shared goal of owning their own land, but their American dream is soon threatened by the boss’ brutish son and their involvement in a fatal tragedy.

The rules of civility are tested — and ultimately demolished — in Yasmina Reza’s powerfully provocative, Tony®-winning script. A playground skirmish between two eleven-year-old boys results in two broken teeth and a meeting between the boys’ parents to discuss the altercation. Diplomacy soon degenerates into pandemonium as the four adults confront barely concealed prejudices that transform once-polite conversation into a state of unbridled savagery.

April 22 -2 5

“Elegant, acerbic and entertainingly fueled on pure bile.” — Variety

“Steinbeck's Depressionbased views on…survival in desperate times are just as relevant for living through our own cruel times.”

- Variety

Written by Yasmina Reza Translated by Christopher Hampton Directed by Nick Good

718 Devine St.

(Between Huger and Lincoln Streets)

See our website for show times and ticket prices.

Professor Robyn Hunt’s original slow tempo play utilizes interviews with immigrants whose stories of migration, of things and people left behind, and of discoveries in the new country have shaped their lives. The piece offers two very different movements: one with spoken words, and the other in silence, as the characters travel in slow tempo toward the unknown, toward the next thing, possibly even deliverance.

september 26- october 6

Created and Performed by 2nd-Year MFA Actors Our 2nd-year MFA Acting candidates will present solo plays, which each has written and directed. Join us for a special performance of diverse, original works!

November 15-17 “…wonderful, wonderful and — at the risk of overselling — wonderful…”

- Chicago Tribune

march 19 - 28 Written by Mikhail Bulgakov Adapted by Keith Reddin Directed by Steven Pearson

Keith Reddin’s adaptation of legendary Russian author Mikhail Bulgakov’s 1936 novel is a semi-autobiographical, comic account of Bulgakov’s experience with the Moscow Art Theatre, headed in part by influential director Konstantin Stanislavski. Censored for its criticism of the Soviet government, the original novel didn’t actually see publication until 1967, more than twenty-five years after Bulgakov’s death.

Theatre Locations Koger Center for the Arts 1051 Greene St. Drayton Hall Theatre 1214 College St. Tickets (except Ballet Stars) General $22 UofSC Fac/Staff, Military, Seniors (60+) $20 Students $15

NOVEMBER 1 - 2

USC DANCE COMPANY FALL CONCERT

The USC Dance Company takes the Koger Center stage for a dynamic concert of mixed repertory.

Koger Center for the Arts 7:30pm, Nov. 1 | 2pm, Nov. 2

DECEMBER 3 - 6

STUDENT CHOREOGRAPHY SHOWCASE

Instructor Cindy Flach directs a showcase of premiere dance works conceived and choreographed by our gifted student choreographers!

Drayton Hall Theatre 7:30pm

FEBRUARY 12 - 15

USC DANCE COMPANY SPRING CONCERT

The USC Dance Company presents an exciting and challenging repertory of innovative contemporary choreography.

Drayton Hall Theatre 7:30pm, Feb. 12-14 | 2pm, Feb. 15

Ballet Stars Tickets Orchestra $35 First Balcony $30 Second Balcony $25 Students $15 Gala After-Party Tickets available separately. See website for details.

MARCH 29 15TH ANNUAL

BALLET STARS OF NEW YORK GALA PERFORMANCE

Columbia’s most star-studded ballet event is back for its 15th year! This one-night-only concert features stunning performances by Principal Dancers from the New York City Ballet, who share the stage with the USC Dance Company!

Koger Center for the Arts 6:30pm

APRIL 24 - 25

STUDENT CHOREOGRAPHY SHOWCASE

Experience more thought-provoking original dance created by our student choreographers.

The future of dance starts here!

Drayton Hall Theatre 7pm, April 24 | 2pm, April 25

T H E AT R E SUBSCRIPTIONS

DANCE SUBSCRIPTIONS

Subscribe to our 2019/2020 Theatre Season and save 15-25%! You may either subscribe to our Main Stage venues only (three tickets to use only at Longstreet and Drayton Hall Theatres) or subscribe to see shows on the Main Stages and at the Lab Theatre (six tickets to use at any of those venues).

You may use multiple tickets for any show.

Be a subscriber for our 2019-20 dance season and receive approx. 15% off the normal ticket price!

Subscription packages include tickets to all USC Dance Company concerts, our Student Choreography Showcases, and orchestra-level seating for our Ballet Stars of NY Gala Performance!* To subscribe, fill out and return the form on the next page, or visit dance.sc.edu to subscribe online. Then, get ready for an unforgettable season of outstanding dance performances!

To subscribe, complete and return the form on the next page, or visit theatre.sc.edu to subscribe online.

*Admission to the Ballet Stars of NY Gala After-Party is not included. Gala tickets may be purchased separately from the dance program by calling 803-777-5636.

SUBSCRIBER PRICES

MAIN STAGE

MAIN STAGE + LAB THEATRE

SUBSCRIBER PRICES

SUBSCRIPTION RATE

NORMAL RATE

Student UofSC Faculty/Staff, Military, Seniors (60+) General Public

$35 $50

$55 $70

$80 $95

$95 $115

$55

$75

Student UofSC Faculty/Staff, Military, Seniors General Public

$105

$123

JOIN THE CIRCLE Your tax-deductible contribution earns you a place in The Circle, our theatre program’s highly-esteemed donor network. As a member you can receive free tickets to our theatre performances, special event invitations, recognition in each show’s program and the satisfaction of knowing you are helping to create the finest performance 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.

CIRCLE BENEFITS DONOR | $100 YEARLY Receives an invitation for 2 to all main stage theatre preview performances and special receptions, pair of passes for one Lab show and program recognition.

CLASSIC | $350 YEARLY Same as Donor level, plus 2 complimentary tickets to main stage theatre shows.

SPONSOR | $500 YEARLY Same as Classic level, plus 3 complimentary tickets

to main stage theatre shows and passes to all Lab shows.

PATRON | $1000 YEARLY Same as Sponsor level, plus 4 complimentary tickets to main stage theatre shows and passes for all Lab shows.

BENEFACTOR | $5000 YEARLY Same as Patron level, plus the honor of having an undergraduate scholarship in your name for the following year.

Name:___________________________________________________________________ Preferred Phone:___________________________ Alternate Phone:____________________ Address:____________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Email Address:_______________________________________________________________ Number of Subscriptions

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UofSC Fac/Staff, Military, Senior (60+)

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$80 x

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Main Stage Only General Admission UofSC Fac/Staff, Military, Senior (60+) Student Main Stage + Lab General Admission UofSC Fac/Staff, Military, Senior (60+) Student General Admission

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Mail completed form with payment to: University of South Carolina Department of Theatre and Dance Attn: Ray Jones 1300 Greene St. Columbia, SC 29208 Questions? Contact us at 803-777-5208.

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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND DANCE LONGSTREET THEATRE 1300 GREENE ST. COLUMBIA, SC 29208