SSU Dept. of Theatre Arts & Dance announces 2012-2013 Season

The Department of Theatre & Dance has announced its 2012-2013 season. The year-long season of live theater, dance and opera that incorporates a campus wide theme entitled "Water Works," a project including fine arts and academics drawing on the theme of inland water flow as resource, theme and metaphor.

 

"Water Works," which begins September 2012 and continues throughout the academic year until May 2013, features a variety of events and performances presented across the SSU campus in indoor theaters, classrooms, art galleries and outdoor site-specific events at bodies of water.

 

"In the 2012-2013 academic year, the department is proud to be the lead partner for the campus-wide 'Water Works' season and will present seven productions on the theme of water, from contemporary dance works by guest artists, faculty choreographers and students, to plays using the water theme as science and metaphor for community engagement. Also, in its annual co-production with the Department of Music, we will present two one-act operas," said Kristen Daley, associate professor and department chair of the SSU Department of Theatre Arts & Dance.

 

The Department of Theatre Arts & Dance will also presented two festivals featuring plays by students and one-page plays on the theme of “water” selected from submissions from Sonoma State University faculty, staff and student writers.

 

For the upcoming season, the Department of Theatre Arts & Dance offers special incentives and discounts including student matinees presented for local schools; special events for alumni; and SSU “Faculty and Staff Night” performances with free admission for faculty and staff and discounted tickets for their friends and family. Sonoma State University students are admitted free to all productions.

 

Tickets for the 2012 - 2013 are on sale now.

The Sonoma State University Department of Theatre Arts & Dance 2012-2013 Season includes:

 

"Bad Penny" 
By Mac Wellman 
Directed by Judy Navas
Oct. 3 to Oct. 14, 2012

 

That weirdo in the park may be your destiny. In "Bad Penny" a drifter moves from Montana to New York City where he soon gets a flat tire and goes wandering across Central Park to find a gas station. When a stranger finds a “bad penny” that supposedly will bring bad luck, the advice soon dive bombs into crazy skepticism about life, the universe and everything. Admission is free and open to the public. A site specific performance presented at The University Lake near the Art Building.

 

"The Great Divide" 
By Adam Chanzit
Directed by Doyle Ott
Nov. 1 to Nov. 10, 2012

 

Searing bio-economic drama "fracks" Colorado town. A rural Colorado town revives its economy by inviting a natural gas company to begin a “fracking” operation in its area, injecting chemicals into the ground to mine natural gas. But, when the chemicals get into the water table, the health of the town is at stake. What’s more important, getting energy to power our lives and putting food on the table, or saving the environment and the water we need to survive? Tickets are $10 to $17. Sonoma State University students are admitted free for all performances. Presented in Evert B. Person Theatre.

 

"Mega Hot Lava New Play Festival" 
Curated by Scott Horstein
Nov. 15 to Nov. 17, 2012

 

Script-in-hand readings of plays by student playwrights, with some playwrights responding to the "Water Works" theme. $6 standard admission. Sonoma State University students are admitted free for all performances. Presented in Ives 76.

 

"Fall Dance Concert" 
Directed by Christine Cali
Nov. 29 to Dec. 2, 2012

 

Student choreographed new works, with some taking inspiration from the "Water Works" theme featuring a wide variety of dance styles and genres, including hip-hop, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and ballet. Tickets are $10 to $17. Sonoma State University students are admitted free for all performances. Presented in Evert B. Person Theatre.

 

"Riders to the Sea," by Ralph Vaughan Williams, adapted from the play by John Millington Synge
and

"The Deserted Island (L' Isola Disabitata)," by Joseph Haydn
A co-production of the Departments of Music and Theatre Arts & Dance. 
Music Director – Lynne Morrow / Stage Director – Danielle Cain
Feb. 7 to Feb. 17, 2013

 

The sea takes everything.

 

"Riders to the Sea" delves into the world of a traditional Irish fishing village that lives and dies by the sea. Maurya is the mother of a family whose many sons have been claimed by the waves. Can she save her remaining son?  A stirring tale made beautiful and atmospheric through the evocative melodic gifts of Ralph Vaughan Williams.

 

"The Deserted Island" tells the tale of  two girls stranded a strange island. When a ship lands, they are conflicted: Should they stay far away from the injurious world of men, or embrace the possibility of desire and love. Haydn’s music is sublime, from the overture that contrasts dark and light themes, to sumptuous arias and the magnificent concluding ensemble. Tickets are $10 to $17. Sonoma State University students are admitted free for all performances. Presented in Evert B. Person Theatre.

 

"The Séance" 
By Dylan Waite
Directed by Jon Robin / Dramaturgy by Celine Delcayre
March 7 to March 10 and March 27 to March 30, 2013

 

Sex, weed, tacos and spirits abound in "The Séance," a new play about the current generation of young adults struggling to make sense of their world. Alex, a young college student, comes to arid Fresno, California for the funeral of her sometime lover (also named Alex) and searches for a way to honor her memory. "The Séance,"  the first student written play to be part of the department’s main season, is a mosaic of personalities struggling against the harsh environment of a literal and spiritual drought. Tickets are $10 to $17. Sonoma State University students are admitted free for all performances. Presented in Ives Studio 76.

 

"One-Page Play Festival" 
Curated by Paul Draper
March 13, 2013

 

One-page plays on the theme of “water” from submissions from around campus from faculty, staff and student writers. Selected plays will be staged by faculty and student directors with student actors. Admission is free. Presented in Warren Auditorium.

 

"Spring Dance Concert" 
Directed by Kristen Daley
April 12 to April 20, 2013

 

New works from professional guest choreographers and faculty, some taking inspiration from the "Water Works" theme. Featuring a high-energy, diverse set of cutting edge choreography especially created for the SSU Dance Ensemble. Tickets are $10 to $17. Sonoma State University students are admitted free for all performances. Presented in Evert B. Person Theatre.

 

"The Copeland Creek Project / A Theatrical Journey" 
Directed by Mark Valdez / Dramaturgy by Scott Horstein
Greg Sarris serving as Writing Consultant 
April 24 to May 2, 2013

 

This interview-based ensemble piece, created with the Acting and Technical students of the Department of Theatre Arts & Dance, will explore the stories of communities that live and have lived along Copeland Creek ~ asking how the creek has shaped the community and how the community has shaped the creek. Copeland Creek begins its course on Mount Sonoma and runs down the mountain through the Sonoma State University campus on its way to the Laguna de Santa Rosa and the sea. Admission is free. This will be a site specific performance presented along Copeland Creek as it runs through the SSU campus, just north of the University Lakes.

 

LOCATION: Sonoma State University
1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Evert B. Person Theatre is accessed through the main entrance to Sonoma State University

 

PARKING: After entering the main entrance of Sonoma State University, turn right. Use LOT E to the left. Walk from the main parking lot using the ramp to the theater which is to the left of the parking lot. Parking permits are required for all cars during posted hours Monday through Friday. Permits may be purchased daily from the vending machines located at the entrance to the general parking lots. Daily parking fee is $2.50. Visitor parking is only permitted in lots marked as ‘Non-Reserved.’

 

TICKET PRICES: Admission prices to performances range from free, $6 and $10 to $17 depending on venue. Sonoma State University students are admitted free for all performances. $10 students and seniors; $15 Sonoma State University Faculty and Staff; $17 standard admission. Tickets also sold at the door one hour prior to curtain. When attending a performance in the Evert B. Person Theatre, snacks, wine and soft drinks are available for purchase in the lobby beginning one hour prior to curtain.

 

ORDER TICKETS: Pre-order or reserve tickets through the box office at 707-664-2353 or online at www.sonoma.edu/tix.