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
