2013 Productions
At a glance: Our theaters
Powerhouse Theater: general seating, free admission, not open to the public
Martel Theater: (seating chart) free admission, open to the public
Streep Studio: Very limited seating. Students can call the box office or visit the Drama lobby for a posting on these events.
February
THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN
by Martin McDonagh
Director Darrell James
February 14, 15, 16 - 8:00 pm
Powerhouse Theater
Open to Campus only, reservations required.
*senior project in Drama
The Cripple of Inishmaan is a dark comedy set in 1934 on one of Ireland's remote Aran islands. An American movie director has just started to scout for actors for his upcoming film, "The Man of Aran," and Cripple Billy, a seventeen-year-old orphan is determined to show his family and neighbors that he's more than just the village fool. The Cripple of Inishmaan is a violently funny look at a boy's search for love and acceptance.
(synopsis written by Arianna Gass '13)
March
THE HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS
Adapted by Caridad Svich
Director Tracey Erbacher ‘13*
February 28, March 1 and March 2 - 8:00 pm
Martel Theater
*Senior project in Drama. Limited seating, open to campus only, reservations required for assigned seating.
Based on the novel of the same name by Isabel Allende, Caridad Svich's The House of the Spirits explores the brutal history of Chile through four generations of extraordinary women. In this epic tale told through impossible stage directions and mixed media, reality and magic combine to create a world where the political is always personal, and no one survives unchanged.
This production is sponsored in part by the E.J. Safirstein '83 Memorial Fund.
April
EURYDICE
By Sarah Ruhl
Guest Director Ianthe Demos (alum ‘00)
Assistant Directors Kate Shelton '15 and Kaylene George '14
April 11, 12, 13 - 8:00pm
Powerhouse Theater
Open to Public, very limited general seating, please call the Box Office.
Sarah Ruhl's Eurydice is a playful celebration of love and a poignant commemoration of loss. In this playful retelling of the Orpheus myth Ruhl explores the pains and pleasures of memory.
THE VAGINA NARRATIVES
Written and performed by Ruthie Bolotin ‘13*
April 19 and 20 - 7:00pm
Streep Studio
Open to Campus only, very limited seating
The Vagina Narrative is an autobiographical performance piece that shows one woman's journey with her female body. Inspired by Eve Ensler's Vagina Monologues, the piece tells the story of the discovery and exploration of one vagina from a holistic narrative-based approach rather than through snippets and snapshots. With multimedia performance elements from rap to puppetry, The Vagina Narrative shows the variety of struggles one woman can face with her anatomy, sexuality, sexual identity, femininity, gender, and, of course, her vagina.
MAY
THE REZ SISTERS
By Tomson Highway
Director Kathy Wildberger
May 2 - 8:00pm
May 3 - 5:30pm and 9:00pm
Martel Theater
Open to the public-reservations are required for assigned seating.
The Rez Sisters features an ensemble cast of seven women dreaming of winning, and working toward raising enough money to attend, "The Biggest Bingo in the World," and one male actor/dancer in the role of Trickster Nanabush. The play melds the sometimes dark realities of life on an Indian Reservation with the humor and elements of Aboriginal spirituality. It features excerpts of dialogue in the Cree and Ojibway language and offers a window into the world of the Rez, with it’s tragedy and humor. The production will involve Dance Theatre and choreography, as well as a rich investigation of Native American and Indian stereotypes and archetypes.
This production is made with support of the Beatrice Snyder Foundation Fund. The purpose of this fund is to support visiting performance artists, performances and projects that use theater as an educational vehicle in so far as teaching about other perspectives and diversity on various levels. Its intent is to educate members of the Vassar community, promote understanding about differences and encourage tolerance of others.
MODFEST reading
The Streep Studio, room 110, Vogelstein Center for Drama and Film
Tuesday, January 29, 7:00pm
Drama readings of plays in progress. Works from visiting instructor Liz Egloff's Master Class in Playwriting in the Drama Department. Excerpts will be presented from several new plays.
Wednesday, January 30, 8:00pm
A reading of THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN. A senior project.
Friday, February 8, 5:00pm
Cancelled - A reading of visiting instructor of playwriting in Drama, Liz Egloff's play WOLF-MAN. Liz teaches playwriting and mentors senior playwrights. Her work has been published by Dramatists Play Services, TCG, American Theater, and Theater magazine. She has been written about in books about modern playwrights.