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Department of Theatre and Dance

UW Summer Theatre and Dance Performances Scheduled

May 24, 2006 -- The University of Wyoming Department of Theatre and Dance will present a collection of exciting and diverse performances throughout June and July during the 2006 Snowy Range Summer Theatre and Dance Festival.

The festival, established last year, is an outgrowth of UW's longstanding summer theatre program and annual dance festival.

Performances include three full-length plays: "Headset: A View from the Light Booth" (June 13-17), "Proof" (June 27-July 1) and "The Complete works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)" (July 11-15).

The festival concludes in July with four dance concerts, Vertical Dance, Children's Theatre, and Music at Vedauwoo (July 14-16); the Student Showcase Concert (July 26); Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago (July 28); and the Dance Festival Gala Concert (July 29).

All theatre performances are at 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center studio theatre. Indoor dance performances are on the Fine Arts Center main stage. The student concert begins at 7 p.m., the other two will start at 7:30 p.m. Vedauwoo performances are at 11 a.m. at the Vedauwoo Recreation Area east of Laramie on Interstate 80.

Theatre tickets cost $10 for the general public, $8 for seniors and $5 for students. Dance tickets cost $12 at the door or $10 in advance. Vedauwoo performance tickets cost $6. For tickets and information call (307)766-6666 or go online at www.uwyo.edu/finearts.

"Moving to a festival format last summer was a positive step for us," says Rebecca Hilliker, UW Department of Theatre and Dance head and professor. "Not only has it allowed us to provide the community with a whole season's worth of cultural offerings, it also has enabled us to attract more professional performers and designers to our summer programs.”

Hilliker says Michael Boatman, stage and film actor, and John Mayer, educator/actor from California State University, who appeared in UW's production of "Art" last summer, along with UW alumna Martha Slater, who starred in UW's "The Guys," will return to the 2006 festival. Several other professionals and recent UW alumni also have assumed festival roles, she notes.

"Headset: A View from the Light Booth," written and directed by UW Professor William Missouri Downs, offers a knowing and hilarious glimpse into what goes on behind the scenes during a show. The clever farce features Mayer, James Weber (Saturday Nigh Live, Law & Order: SVU, Comedy Central), and Fred Willecke (Promised Land). It runs June 13-17.

"Proof" is David Auburn's acclaimed Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning drama made into a recent film. Directed by UW Assistant Professor Wolf J. Sherrill, it features James Harper (Judging Amy, NYPD Blue, Fraiser, Armageddon) and UW alumni Slater and Rian Jairell. It runs June 27-July 1.

"The Compete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)," by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield, is directed by UW Professor Leigh Selting, artistic director for the 2006 Summer Theatre Series. The parody features Boatman (Spin City, Arli$$, Once Upon a Mattress, The Peacemaker), Mayer, and UW alumnus Jimmie Galaites (Law & Order: SVU, Sex and the City). It runs July 11-15.

The 2006 Snowy Range Summer Theatre and Dance Festival closes with the Dance Concert Series. The combined performance, Vertical Dance, Children's Theatre, and Music at Vedauwoo runs July 14-16.

The vertical dance, choreographed by UW faculty member Margaret Wilson, artistic director for the 2006 Dance Concert Series, and Neil Humphrey, takes place in the natural rock formations at Vedauwoo. The Vedauwoo performance also includes a production of the children's show, "Alicia in Wonder Tierra," and live music by UW faculty members.

The free Student Showcase Concert on Thursday, July 27, features festival participants. On July 28, Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago performs a solo concert. The Dance Festival Gala Concert on Saturday, July 29, features guest artists from Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, along with festival participants performing repertory works by festival faculty members Peter Pucci, Yoav Kaddar, Gail Benedict, Keith Saunders, Susan Israel Massey and Lawrence Jackson.

"It's exciting to see how our summer program is growing and expanding," says Hilliker. "We are thrilled with the performers and designers who will take part in this year's productions -- it should be a terrific season and we hope audiences will really enjoy it."

Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006

 

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