Adaptation showcased in Kennesaw State theater season
The Department of Theatre and Performance Studies at Kennesaw State University opens its 2008…
Georgia (Jun 27, 2008) — Adaptation showcased in Kennesaw State theater season
Cheryl Anderson Brown
Abstract
Director of University Relations
Frances Weyand Harrison
770−423−6203
fharris4@kennesaw.edu
Contact: Cheryl Anderson Brown‚ Assistant Director of Public Relations for the College
of the Arts‚ 770−499−3417 or cbrown@kennesaw.edu
Adaptation showcased in Kennesaw State theater season
KENNESAW‚ Ga. (June 27‚ 2008) −− The Department of Theatre and Performance Studies
at Kennesaw State University opens its 2008−2009 season in September with an original
adaptation of a classic children's tale by Kenneth Grahame and closes in April with
an original stage adaptation of a classic short story from one of the South�s most
famous writers‚ Flannery O'Connor. The university will offer a total of nine productions.
We are very excited about the upcoming season‚ says Assistant Professor of Theatre
and Performance Studies and resident dramaturg Jane Barnette. Each of the performances
will feature adaptation‚ either of literature or of history‚ broadly construed. Overall‚
we offer unique productions that we hope will attract spectators from across the campus
and throughout the community."
The season kicks off on Sept. 13 with a centennial celebration of the classic children's
novel "The Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame. Adults and children will delight
in hearing faculty readers as they bring to life the beloved characters of Mole‚ Ratty‚
Badger and the irrepressible Toad.
The readings continue with the next performance‚ "The Spoken Word: Poetry in Performance‚"
on Sept. 19 and 20. Coordinated by Assistant Professor of Theatre and Performance
Studies Hannah Harvey‚ the event features performances by local and nationally known
poets. This event includes themes and language that may not be suitable for all audiences.
Another classic‚ "The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams‚ runs from Sept. 23−28.
Assistant Professor of Theatre and Performance Studies Harrison Long directs this
well−known play about a transplanted Southern family in crisis as seen through the
eyes of Tom‚ the frustrated writer who dreams of escaping his overbearing mother and
fragile sister.
The next offering continues the theme of written stories becoming stage productions.
"The Apple Tree‚" which runs from Oct. 21−26‚ is a co−production of the Department
of Music and the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies. Based on the short
stories "The Diary of Adam and Eve" by Mark Twain‚ "The Lady or the Tiger?" by Frank
Stockton and "Passionella" by Jules Feiffer‚ this musical triptych includes humorous
and satirical adaptations of some of our culture�s formative stories‚ including the
Garden of Eden and Cinderella.
Going back in time to an ancient comedy that continues to amuse today's audiences‚
the "Lysistrata" by Aristophanes runs from Nov. 18−23. This memorable play‚ recently
adapted by J.A. Ball and Michael Chemers‚ features the battle of the sexes and remains
remarkably relevant in the 21st century. Prepare yourself for extra helpings of sexual
innuendoes‚ double entendres and ribald humor! This event includes themes and language
that may not be appropriate for all audiences.
"Picasso at the Lapin Agile‚" written by Steve Martin and directed by Assistant Professor
of Theatre and Performance Studies Jim Davis‚ can be seen from Jan. 27−Feb. 1. Imagine
a young Pablo Picasso meeting Albert Einstein in 1904 Paris −− both geniuses on the
verge of major discoveries in their respective fields of art and science. Seen through
the absurd lens of comedian Steve Martin‚ the ensuing debates at once delight and
enlighten‚ heralding the major artistic and scientific shifts of the 20th century.
This event includes themes and language that may not be appropriate for all audiences.
From Feb. 5−6‚ enjoy storytelling by nationally known and locally grown tellers at
StoryFest. Each evening features folktales and personal stories to delight‚ excite
−− and perhaps even fright! −− performed by nationally recognized storytellers and
the university's own KSU Tellers. The festival also includes storytelling workshops
to hone your own tale−telling talents. This event is appropriate for ages 10 through
adult.
"New Works and Ideas" will be presented from March 24−29. Some of the highlights of
this week include "Memorabilia‚" a collaboration with The Alliance Theatre's Collision
Project in which high school students create works based on Tennessee Williams' "The
Glass Menagerie." One night will also be devoted to staged readings of 10−minute plays
written by emerging artists at KSU. This event includes themes and language that may
not be appropriate for all audiences.
The season concludes with "Everything That Rises Must Converge" by Flannery O'Connor.
This production is a new stage adaptation of native Georgian Flannery O'Connor's last
short stories‚ including the title piece as well as "A View From the Woods‚" as devised
by New York director Karin Coonrod. Both stories feature startling family dynamics‚
revealing the paradoxical fragility and explosive power of love. The dates for this
event are April 14−19.
Community members may wish to join the department's First Call Club to receive 25
percent off all ticket purchases‚ invitations to special events and other benefits.
For more information‚ visit www.kennesaw.edu/arts or call 770−423−6650.
A member of the 35−unit University System of Georgia‚ Kennesaw State University is a comprehensive‚ residential institution with a growing student population of more than 20‚000 from 142 countries. The third−largest university in Georgia‚ Kennesaw State offers more than 60 graduate and undergraduate degrees‚ including new doctorates in education and business.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
