The 2008/09 Drama Season - Tentative Schedule

Fall: Six Characters in Search of an Author by Pirandello

Winter: Two Original One Acts: Schoolyard by Emily Platt & TBA

Spring: Rhinoceros by Eugene Ionesco

This is not etched in stone but this is what I'm thinking at the moment based on a number of things that have been discussed, staging issues, etc:

Many have expressed an interest in Six Characters... because of the challenge it will present to us as artist and performers, and I think this is true. Keep in mind: this will be a very challenging piece for the actors, even though it will be less demanding in terms of set/tech. The line demands for the Father, Director, and Step-Daughter will exceed any play we have done before, and it will take someone who is willing to commit to the work to be able to pull it off. I believe we have people in our group who are capable of this, and who will be willing to step up to the challenge, so this does not worry me, though I just want to put it out there that it WILL be a lot of work.

Another reason to do Six Characters in the fall, and Rhino in the spring (versus the reverse) is that the Rhino script is going to take some adapting in order to make it work for us. The fourth scene, between Berenger and Dudard (excuse me if I'm spelling these wrong) needs to be reduced and even some of the earlier scenes probably needs some light internal editing.

Why I'm leaning towards Rhino over Skin: I feel Rhino is both a light play and says something, and like Sarah said it has a lot of potential for staging - though it has a lot of challenges as well - a lot of difficult questions remain, such as what is the "dust" that is constantly being kicked up by the rhinos? How do you DO that on stage? And the mass production of Rhino heads is a real staging challenge - but that could be a lot of fun and it could possibly involve the visual art department, and working with masks would be a fun challenge for us. And what about those trumpeting sounds we're constantly hearing? How are they achieved? Etc.

As for the winter slot - I would like to do Schoolyard by Emily Platt, but that still leaves a second play opening. Schoolyard is a much lighter piece, a lot of fun, and we could pair it with something equally light or with more depth, depending on what is out there. And this is an opportunity for a student to direct.

Keeping in mind we will still have a 10 Minute Play festival in March and a 24 Hour Play Festival in April, these are my at the moment feelings concerning the season, based on what people have said, trying to honor both camps which believe we should do light and heavy (or light and dark) plays, and also basing some of the decision on who has expressed an interest to do the fall/spring play.

Comments?