University of Arkansas Theatre Presents 'Talking Pictures' by Horton Foote

The University of Arkansas Theatre is once again presenting their annual undergraduate project as part of the Studio Series. This year, the department will be performing "Talking Pictures" by Horton Foote.

"Talking Pictures" is set in the months preceding the great stock market crash of 1929. In the play, a single mother in a small Texas town fears losing her job playing live music at the picture show with the impending arrival of the "talkies."

The play is directed by Jenny McKnight, a new faculty member in the Department of Theatre. The entire cast and crew, including designers, are undergraduates. The annual project allows them to gain valuable experience in all facets of theatre production.

Horton Foote (1916-2009) was one of America's finest writers, earning a Pulitzer Prize for his play "The Young Man" from Atlanta and Academy Awards for his screenplays "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Tender Mercies."

The New York Post called Talking Pictures "a truly intelligent play, one that is literary and heartfelt, beautifully written...a well-crafted, moving story...a dramatic rarity in these or any times."

Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 20, 21 22, and 23. There are no matinee performances for this production. All performances are in Studio 404, located in Kimpel Hall on the main campus. Ticket prices are $10 for adults; $8 for seniors and faculty/staff; and $5 for students. No free student tickets are available for the Studio Series. Due to high demand and limited seating, it is strongly recommended that patrons make reservations in advance.

The University of Arkansas Department of Theatre has been providing exciting and affordable live theatre for more than 60 years. They combine a first-rate theatrical education full of hands-on experience with a wide selection of titles to challenge their students and delight the community. The Theatre Department produces eight to ten shows each year: four large-scale productions at the University Theatre and four to six smaller shows in the Studio Series. Shows range from new works to classic favorites, from period pieces and Shakespeare plays to Broadway musicals. For more information, visit their website at http://theatre.uark.edu/.

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