Nazareth College Department of Theatre and Dance Presents FLOYD COLLINS

The Nazareth College Theatre and Dance Department and Theatre League are pleased to present Floyd Collins - a musical inspired by the true story of a man in search of his American dream - as the second show in the department's 2015-2016 production season. The show will run November 13, 14, 20, and 21 at 8 p.m.; and November 15 and 22 at 2 p.m., in Studio Theatre A48 at the Nazareth College Arts Center.

The Nazareth College Theatre and Dance Department offers the only B.F.A degree in musical theatre in Rochester. The program is a pre-professional degree that integrates voice, acting, and dance taught by theatre professionals, Nazareth faculty, and visiting guest artists in a rigorous environment. Nazareth's collaboration with the three-stage Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival enhances training and learning opportunities and creates an intensive professional track training program that rivals many national programs.

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

In 1925, while chasing a dream of fame and fortune by turning a Kentucky cave into a tourist attraction, Floyd Collins himself became the attraction when he got trapped 200 feet underground. Alone but for sporadic contact with the outside world, Collins fought for his sanity and ultimately his life as the rescue effort above exploded into the world's first genuine media circus. Reporters and gawkers from across the country descended on the property, fueling the hysteria and manipulating the nation into holding its collective breath. This haunting musical - one of the most acclaimed in recent years - tells the transcendent tale of a true American dreamer.

Collins' life and death have inspired at least one documentary, several books, a museum, and numerous songs, in addition to this musical by Tina Landau (book and additional lyrics) and Adam Guettel (music and lyrics). The musical opened Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons in February 1996, and there have since been productions in London and regional theaters across the United States.

CAST AND CREW

Nazareth's production of Floyd Collins is directed by Brett Smock, producing artistic director at the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival in Auburn, New York, with Corinne Aquilina, director of the Nazareth College musical theatre program, serving as music director. Other faculty members include Emily Stork - who also serves as the First Niagara Rochester Fringe Festival lighting designer - as lighting and sound designer; Allen Shannon as scenic designer; and Yuanting Zhao as costume designer.

Nazareth College musical theatre students complete the cast: Grant Richards (Floyd Collins); K. Cody Hunt (Homer Collins); Kit Prelewitz (Nellie Collins); Emily Mullin (Miss Jane); Ged Owen (Lee Collins); Michael Schuett (Skeets Miller); Peter Smith (Ed Bishop); Adam Marino (Jewelle Estes); Samantha Spadafore (Bee Doyle); Matt Combs (H.T. Carmichael), and John Connors, Seth Hatch, and Michaela Groth in the ensemble.

The orchestra consists of Nazareth College students Lauren Beikirch, David Hauck, Zachary Lijewski, and Sean Powers; as well as Austen Wahl from the Eastman School of Music.

General admission tickets to Floyd Collins are $19-$20, and all students receive half-price tickets at the door with valid school ID. For tickets, call - or visit - the Box Office: 585-389-2170 or order online: artscenter.naz.edu.

The Nazareth College Arts Center Box Office is located on campus, at 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14618. Regular box office hours are Monday- Friday, 11am - 5pm, and for one hour prior to curtain time for Nazareth College Theatre Arts and Dance Department performances.

Watch a trailer for the show below!

The Nazareth College Theatre and Dance Department offers the only B.F.A degree in musical theatre in Rochester. The program is a pre-professional degree that integrates voice, acting, and dance taught by theatre professionals, Nazareth faculty, and visiting guest artists in a rigorous environment. Nazareth's collaboration with the three-stage Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival enhances training and learning opportunities and creates an intensive professional track training program that rivals many national programs.

The department provides professional training in theatre and musical theatre performance and production, drama education, dance, and technical theatre and design, and prepares students for graduate work and specialized advanced studies in the entertainment industry. In classrooms, rehearsal halls, and studio settings, students are trained to use their talents to move audiences.

The Theatre Arts and Dance Department presents four productions each year, with scenery, costumes, and lighting designed and created by faculty and students. For more information, visit naz.edu/dept/theatre-dance.

Nazareth College's academic strengths cross an unusually broad spectrum of 60 majors, including education, health and human services, management, the fine arts, music, theater, math and science, foreign languages, and the liberal arts. The coeducational, religiously independent, classic campus in a charming suburb of Rochester, N.Y. challenges and supports 2,000 undergrads and 800 graduate students. Nazareth is recognized nationally for its Fulbright global student scholars and commitment to civic engagement. Rigorous programs, an uncommon core, experiential learning, career skills, and a global focus prepare graduates for not just one job, but for their life's work.

For more information, visit naz.edu.