University of Wyoming and Laramie High School students rehearse a scene from “Pokes
’n’ Plainsmen,” a production featuring scenes, songs and dances that showcase some
of the best performers at both UW and LHS. The production will run Feb. 11-15 at 7:30
p.m. in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts Thrust Theatre. (Donald P. Turner
Photo)
The University of Wyoming Department of Theatre and Dance is partnering with Laramie
High School for “Pokes ’n’ Plainsmen,” a production featuring scenes, songs and dances
that showcase some of the best performers at both UW and LHS.
“Pokes ’n’ Plainsmen” will run Monday, Feb. 11, through Friday, Feb. 15, at 7:30 p.m.
in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts Thrust Theatre.
Tickets cost $14 for the public, $11 for senior citizens and $7 for students. Tickets
are available at the Performing Arts box office and the Wyoming Union information
desk, by calling (307) 766-6666 or going online at www.uwyo.edu/finearts.
The production is directed by UW theater faculty members Leigh Selting and Patrick
Konesko, and LHS drama instructor Michael Hancey, with musical direction by UW musical
theater faculty member Seán Stone. Creation of the production, however, has been largely
student-driven. Students selected the material and initially rehearsed on their own
before meeting with the directors to shape and incorporate the material into the larger
production.
“This has given us the chance to work directly with students on songs and plays that
they are interested in developing, which is great,” Konesko says.
An added benefit of the joint production is that creative work has extended past interacting
with students of both programs on scenes, individual numbers/solos and chorus work,
and has provided opportunities for UW faculty members and Hancey to work alongside
one another.
“It’s been great to collaborate with our wider artistic community, as well as being
able to support some of the training that Michael is doing with his students at the
high school,” Konesko says.
The directors say the collaborative nature of the project also has allowed the company
to focus on the theme of relationships and love, creating a fun and fast-paced musical
and dramatic revue.
“It should make for a lovely ‘date night’ evening, as we perform over Valentine’s
Day week,” Selting says. “We hope everyone will enjoy seeing songs and scenes about
love in all its various manifestations.”
For more information, call Kathy Kirkaldie, UW Fine Arts coordinator, at (307) 766-2160
or email kirsik@uwyo.edu.
