Variety, originality in theater as majors present their senior capstone projects April 27-30
Variety and originality are highlighted in a collective opportunity for senior theater majors to finish their college careers with a major research/creative project, as the Department of Theater presents it Fourth Annual Theater Capstone Festival the weekend of Friday, April 27 through Sunday, April 30. All performances, which are free and open to the public, will take place in Tansill Theater.
According to David Jaffe, professor of theater and chair of the theater department, the students are invited to take risks, to deepen their work, and to find their theatrical voices as actors, designers, directors, scholars, writers, or beyond with their capstone projects.
Here are the performance dates and times and short descriptions provided by the students themselves:
‘Eurydice’ by Sarah Ruhl
A capstone in directing by Lana Richards
A capstone in acting by Emily Ultan
Thursday, April 27, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 29, 1 p.m.
What is the lifespan of love? In Eurydice, Sarah Ruhl’s play based on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, we explore this question. Newlyweds Orpheus and Eurydice are faced with an unforeseeable test when Eurydice suddenly falls to her death. Caught between the world of the living and the world of the dead, the characters must rediscover what it means to love someone, what they are willing to sacrifice for love, and whose love they truly need.
Deva
A capstone solo performance
Created and performed by Eva Murray
Saturday, April 29, 5:45 p.m.
Sunday, April 30, 3:30 p.m.
Ever wonder what Tinkerbell would say if she could talk? More importantly, ever wonder why she can’t talk? Sparkles and tears collide in this solo performance based on real events of trauma, anxiety, reform, growth, and healing. Deva and her team invite you to join in this process of awareness, reflection, and discovery through music, movement, and lots and lots of glitter.
Sprinting In Heels
A capstone solo performance
Created and performed by Brenna McClain
Friday, April 28, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 30, 1 p.m.
What do Hillary Clinton, Tyra Banks and Helen of Troy all have in common? They’re competing in a beauty pageant. In a world of hot pink tulle and ambition, makeup setting spray and patriarchal rage, Instagrams and depression, the Beauty Pageant of Life demands more than just a pretty face. Sprinting In Heels explores the fun and the pain women experience in the ruthless fight to find success and happiness.
Happy Ugly Comedic
A capstone solo performance
Created and performed by Ashley Giordano
Friday, April 28, 8:45 p.m.
Sunday, April 30, 2:15 p.m.
What is love really? Is it a game? Is it a battlefield? Go for a walk down memory lane with Ashley as she revisits past relationships. Anything could happen and probably will, like: self discoveries, dancing, a music montage, poetry, hopeful beginnings and heartbreaking ends. We will find the happy, the ugly and the comedic in every situation and maybe, just maybe, Ashley will live happily ever after.
All the World’s a Stage Run by Children
A presentation by Natalie Boles, based on her research
Saturday, April 29, 5 p.m.
This talk was developed from research done on the Theater for Young Audience community and a discovered lack of certain types of subject matter and audience bases. Theater should be seen as a tool for activism and a space that gives children somewhere to learn and make a difference with the ideas they take away. Through an examination of TYA practices and material over time, the talk narrows in on a theater company called Fringe Benefits, whose work exemplifies the bold type of TYA theater that can be put on and exposed to children. Tolerance is key, and differences are accepted and encouraged.
For further information, contact the Theater Department, dthol@conncoll.edu
April 24, 2017
