The Winona State University Department of Theatre and Dance 2015-2016 production season will offer a diverse presentation of drama, comedy, classics and annual season favorites.
Running Oct. 14-17 in the Vivian Fusillo Theatre is “Elephant’s Graveyard” by George Brant. Based on true events, this dark play centers on a town in Tennessee, a struggling circus and a crime committed by a circus elephant. Throughout the production, audiences explore themes involving revenge, violence and the human craving for spectacle. Jim Williams and Heather Williams-Williams will co-direct.
Following will be “A Tuna Christmas,” running Nov. 18-22 in the Dorothy B. Magnus Studio Theatre. This satire, the second in a series titled Greater Tuna, features two actors who play over 20 different characters. The plot centers on the annual Christmas Yard Display Contest in Tuna, Texas. The play is written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard, and will be directed by Heather Williams-Williams.
The “24 Hour Theatre Festival” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 in the Dorothy B. Magnus Studio Theatre. This event includes students writing, acting, directing and designing three different short plays within a 24-hour period.
Next up will be “Dancescape 2016,” WSU’s annual dance show featuring original choreography and performances by students, professors and guest artists. WSU Dance Program Director Gretchen Cohenour is the artistic director for the production. Performances run Feb. 18-20 in the Vivian Fusillo Theatre.
“The Cat in the Hat Traveling Tour” is a traveling children’s show that WSU students will perform on campus as well as bring to surrounding schools. This production will be directed by Heather Williams-Williams and will be performed March 18-19 in the Dorothy B. Magnus Studio Theatre.
“As You Like It,” a comedy by William Shakespeare, will be directed by Jim Williams. The play centers on the heroine Rosalind as she runs away from her Uncle’s court with her cousin Celia, into the Forest of Arden. This production will run April 13-16 in the Vivian Fusillo Theatre.
The annual “Senior Dance Recital” will close the THAD 2015-2016 season April 25-26. Similar to Dancescape, this dance show is choreographed and put together by the senior dance students of THAD. It will be performed in the Vivian Fusillo Theatre.
Tickets will be available online at www.WSUArtsTickets.com
For more information, contact Kathy Peterson at 507-457-2913 or KPeterson@winona.edu.
