Wednesday, October 29, 2003
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Wednesday, October 29, 2003 |
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CCSU unveils theater season Interested in theater? Clayton State Theater welcomes you to attend the 2003-2004 theater season, its 32nd, under the direction of new theater director Ed Hohlbein. Hohlbein, a resident of Athens, Ga., and a native of Shepherd, Mich., will continue the Theater’s commitment to premiering new works, including plans to produce and direct the winning play in the international Clayton State Theater $1,000 Playwriting Competition. “For the past 31 years, Dr. Larry Corse did a wonderful job directing the Theater and had a strong focus on producing new works. That is one tradition that I hope to continue,” said Hohlbein. The 2003-2004 season boasts three premier works, but Hohlbein would love to see those numbers increase. “I would like to expand Clayton State Theater's commitment to producing newworks, and make it year-round,” said Hohlbein. “Clayton State can be a haven for new playwrights to premier and workshop their plays.” Hohlbein’s commitment to the Southern Crescent community is also strong. “Theater should be relevant to the community it serves. We plan on strengthening our ties with Arts Clayton and other community organizations,” he said. The full 2003-2004 season includes “Moments,” running Nov. 5-8; “Things Not Seen,” running Dec. 4-6 and 11-13; the Magical Extravaganza running Jan. 23-24; “Lotte’s Dream” running Feb. 5-7; the Ten-Minute Play Festival running Mar. 25-27; the $1,000 Playwriting Competition winning script running Apr. 20-24; and “The Tempest” running Apr. 29-May 1 and May 5-8. “Moments,” a collection of five 25-minute selections from Tennessee Williams’ “27 Wagons Full of Cotton,” gives audiences a brief look into the characters’ lives. “Things Not Seen,” the second play authored by Clayton State biologist and forensic science expert Dr. Greg Hampikian, tells the story of a church minister whose experiences force him to confront his faith. This is the premier production of this work. The Magical Extravaganza, held in the Clayton State Theater, is an annual magic show made possible by Clayton State professor of chemistry Dr. Jim Braun and a host of other professional and amateur magicians. This will mark the 22nd year of the Magical Extravaganza. “Lotte’s Dream” a musical spinoff of former Clayton State student Brad Fairchild’s “Three Weeks,” follows the life of a cabaret performer in New York City. Music for “Lotte’s Dream” was written by Andy Ditzler; the script and libretto was written by former Clayton State student actor Duncan E. Teague. This is the premier production of this work. The Ten Minute Play Festival, a collection of various 10-minute plays by different authors, gives audiences the opportunity to experience several complete stories limited to 10 minutes per play. The $1,000 Playwriting Competition winning script, to be determined by a panel of national judges, will be directed by Hohlbein and will cast both professional and student actors. This is the premier production of this work. To date over 70 plays have been received from across the United States and other countries. The winning play will be announced in January. Finally, “The Tempest,” William Shakespeare's tale of a shipwreck and fantastic island inhabitants, combines the talents of the Clayton State Theater and the Clayton State Drama Club, head by Clayton State Associate Professor of Psychology Dr. Bethany Stillion. “The Tempest” will be performed outside. “So come and join Clayton State Theater in celebrating three decades of the entertaining, the provocative, the challenging, the new,” said Hohlbein. For more information on the Clayton State Theater and the upcoming season, please visit www.claytonstatetheater.org or call 770-961-3460. |
