Theatre UCF and Orlando Repertory Theatre (The REP) are proud to present Locomotion, November 18, 19 & 20, 2011 at The REP. Based of the award-winning novel by Jacqueline Woodson, Locomotion tells the story of Lonnie Collins Motion, an 11-year-old boy learning to find hope through his talents. This production is a co-collaboration with the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts.
Lonnie has so much kinetic energy that his nickname, Locomotion, is perfect. He has seen a lot of sadness in his young life. When he discovers his passion for writing poetry, he finds a way to express his feelings about the accident that took his parents away, his foster care family, his little sister, his school life, and his unique way of looking at the world.
This production is recommended for ages 9 and up.
Locomotion runs November 18 at 7pm, November19 at 12pm & 4pm, November 20 at 2pm & 5:30pm. For tickets and more information, please call 407-896-7365 or visit orlandorep.com.
Theatre UCF presents August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean at the University of Central Florida Black Box theatre starting on November 17.
The play is the first installment of Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle, which consists of ten plays that chronicle the African-American experience in Pittsburgh's Hill District in the 1900s. The Cycle includes the Pulitzer Prize-winning plays Fences and The Piano Lesson. (The Piano Lesson will be presented locally by Seminole State College in February 2012.)
In the play, many newly freed slaves find themselves at the home of Aunt Ester, a 285-year-old former slave and renowned "soul-cleanser." Citizen Barlow comes to Aunt Ester seeking to be absolved of a crime that has thrust the Pittsburgh community into riots. With the help of some accomplices, Aunt Ester launches Citizen on a journey aboard the legendary slave ship, Gem of the Ocean, to the City of Bones, where Citizen is plunged into his ancestors' suffering and the weight of his wrongs.
"Gem of the Ocean is wonderfully rich with the intricate layers of the African American pre- and post-slavery experience," says Be Boyd, UCF Associate Professor who is performing the role of Aunt Ester. "The spirituality and humanity of this piece are palpable. It is one of the last two plays August Wilson wrote before his death; he knew his time was not long for this earth when he wrote this beautiful story. This play is a 'spiritual imprint' and one of the greatest gifts he left us."
Director Julia Listengarten explains that the play is not short--it runs two and a half hours--but that the story needs to unravel and is beautiful in its construction. "Gem of the Ocean infuses realism with poetry, concrete detail with symbolism, humor with tragedy, realistic dialogue with ritual, cultural specificity with universality and timelessness."
Gem of the Ocean has been highly acclaimed. During its 2004-05 run on Broadway, the play received five Tony nominations and The New York Times called the play "a swelling battle hymn of transporting beauty. Theatergoers who have followed August Wilson's career will find in Gem a touchstone for everything else he has written."
Theatre UCF is located on the UCF campus near the intersection of University Blvd. and Alafaya Trail in East Orlando. The show runs from November 17-20 and December 1-4 on Thursdays-Sundays, and shows begin at 8 pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and at 2 pm on Sundays.
To purchase tickets or for ticket information call the box office at (407) 823-1500. Ticket prices are $17.00 for adults, $15.00 for seniors over 55 and $10.00 for students, with group rates available. It is strongly recommended to purchase tickets in advance, available through the Theatre UCF box office. UCF offers accommodations to make the theatre more accessible to patrons with disabilities—for assistance, please call the box office in advance. Photo by Erin Lartonoix.
The University of Central Florida's production of The Pajama Game won't just be a showcase for actors. The classic musical also will be a creative channel for fine arts students who are taking the lead on many of the behind-the-scenes elements, from the costumes and choreography to the set design and lighting.
Those roles traditionally are taken on by faculty members, but faculty said they wanted to reward outstanding seniors who have demonstrated exceptional skills.
"The designs for The Pajama Game are equal to those of any faculty designer I've worked with in the past, and even professional designers and stage managers I've worked with outside of UCF," said Associate Professor Earl Weaver, Theatre UCF's production director and co-choreographer.
"It is a true testament to the training students have received from our faculty that they are ready to pursue careers in their chosen fields."
Cindy Heen, a dance minor, is serving as assistant choreographer for the dance-heavy production, which is about labor troubles at a pajama factory.
Heen fully choreographed four of the dance numbers and worked closely with Weaver to create an overall vision for the musical. She has worked on the production since May, and she drew inspiration from the 1957 film "The Pajama Game" and its recordings.
"I didn't want to just copy the film's choreography," Heen said. "I wanted to be original, so I let the DVD inspire me. I listened to the music and created my own movements."
Students' ideas were incorporated into the production from the start, said Kelly-Anne Salazar, a student in the Bachelor of Fine Arts Technical Theatre Design Program. Salazar designed the costumes for the musical, which she said has taught her about creative freedom and collaboration.
"Being a student involved with The Pajama Game was such a great learning experience," Salazar said. "Earl gave us just enough inspiration to get us interested and then let us come up with as many ideas as we could think of."
By encouraging creative license, Weaver gave students confidence and pushed for greatness, Heen said.
"I am so excited that I was given this opportunity as a student to be creative," she added. "When you get to do what you love, it's the best feeling in the world."
Other students heading technical aspects of the production are Benson Knight, scenic design; Maytte Martinez, lighting design; and Shannon A. Jones, student stage manager.
The Pajama Game will be performed on the Main Stage of the Performing Arts Center, room 107 of the Theatre building.
Performances will begin at 8 p.m. Oct. 20-22 and Oct. 27-29. Sunday matinees will begin at 2 p.m. on Oct. 23 and Oct. 30. Tickets prices are $19 for the general public, $17 for seniors and $12 for students with IDs.
Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 407-823-1500 or by visiting http://theatre.ucf.edu.
Patrons also can get a closer glimpse at the behind-the-scenes work by viewing design renderings of costumes and a model of the set, which will be displayed in the Performing Arts lobby throughout the production's run.
Child actors are needed for Theatre UCF's production of Ragtime.
Looking for: Little Boy - Caucasian, 8-10 years old Little Girl - Jewish immigrant, 8-10 years old
When: Saturday, November 12 9:30am - Check-in 10am-1pm - Individual Auditions/Callbacks [Actors will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis.]
Where: University of Central Florida Theatre Department Performing Arts Center - Studio 107 [At the intersection of Alafaya Trail and Centaurus on the front side of the UCF campus; one stop light north of Alafaya Trail and University. Park in the "Green" zone in front of the building. A $5.00 parking permit is required and can be obtained at the machine at the East end of the parking lot, near the Visual Arts Building behind the Theatre Building.]
What:
Please bring a picture and resume.
Please prepare a short song that shows vocal range.
Please bring piano sheet music in the appropriate key. An accompanist will be provided. Actors MUST sing with live piano accompaniment.
Show Information:
Rehearsals are Monday-Friday evenings 7-10pm. However, child actors will only be called on specific evenings for the scenes in which they appear. They will not have to attend every scheduled rehearsal.
Rehearsals begin on Monday, February 6. Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm, March 22-25, 29-31 and April 1.
2 Boys and 2 Girls will cast for these roles. Each child actor will perform one weekend of the run of the show. They also will serve as understudies for each other, in case of an emergency.
Costuming for the show WILL be provided by the Theatre Department.
For further information about these auditions and the production, please contact Director Earl D. Weaver via e-mail at Earl.Weaver@ucf.edu.
Theatre UCF will hold its 3rd annual Halloween Costume Sale on Monday, October 24 from 8 am-5 pm in room T244 (Small Design Room) in the Theatre Building of the Performing Arts Center.
Featuring one-of-a-kind costumes from Into the Woods's fairy tale characters and the nautically-themed musical Dames at Sea, as well as everyday clothing (well, as "everyday" as the theatre gets!) the sale is perfectly timed for buyers to find their Halloween costumes. Full costumes can be purchased, or buyers can creatively build an original concept from the many pieces.
"Witches, Zombies, fairies, drag queens...if you can think of it, we probably have it," says Dan Jones, who is the costume shop manager at Theatre UCF.
"The Halloween sale is great for people looking for a costume, but it also benefits the theatre department," says Theatre Department Associate Chair Kristina Tollefson. "The proceeds from the sale go back to the costume shop to help us create costumes for future productions, especially those with student designers like the dance concert or graduate thesis productions."
The costume sale is open to the public. Most items are priced at less than $10. Cash is preferred, but checks also will be accepted. Credit cards cannot be used.
For directions to the Theatre Building, visit the Theatre UCF website at http://theatre.ucf.edu.
Originally published at today.ucf.edu and written by Courtney Gilmartin.
When the University of Central Florida kicks off its theatre season next week, audiences will feel dramatic tension, hear actors exchange dialogue and see a large set take over the tiny stage of the Black Box theatre.
But what audiences can't see is one of the most interesting parts of the production: before each show, UCF Theatre students work tirelessly behind-the-scenes.
As this year's season kicks off with two shows instead of just one, students will be responsible for building and breaking down several different sets for the shows and making sure the parts fit together like a puzzle.
"As a repertory production, there are two shows enwrapped," said Associate Professor Bert Scott, who designed the sets for both shows. "The big challenge is there are several very large pieces to move in a short amount of time. It's like a game of Tetris."
Savage in Limbo, a play about feisty young New Yorkers trying to find their ways, takes place in a bar. Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music, about the wacky patrons of a country bar, starts in an asphalt parking lot, and the set changes to a rooftop for act two.
Shaped like a house, the main set was designed to break in half and transform into the background each play calls for.
In addition to providing the stage for each show, the set and scenery hide props for whichever play is not being acted.
Of the largest props, Savage in Limbo calls for a pool table, and Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music features a pick-up truck. Students are responsible for successfully hiding and safely moving the props during intermission and between productions, relying on wheeled risers for transport.
Matt Pye, a junior Theatre Design student, is working as a carpenter, helping freshmen construct the set and teaching them how to move its elements.
"What's great about theatre is that we're always challenged, and it's constant problem-solving," Pye said. "Students have to work as a team and communicate, and there's a time constraint. It's all a great learning experience."
The educational takeaway is one of the reasons UCF has staged repertory productions for the past three years, said Scott, the theatre professor.
"We do repertory to give students an idea of something that is done a lot in professional theatre," Scott explained. "You have to think about not just what the stage looks like, but how things fit off the stage and how to make things mobile."
Savage in Limbo and Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music will be performed at the Black Box Theatre, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando.
Performances of Savage in Limbo will begin at 8 p.m. Sept. 22-24 and Oct. 5 and 7. There will be a 2 p.m. performance Oct. 9.
Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music will be performed at 8 p.m. Sept. 29 and 30, Oct. 1 and Oct. 6 and 8. There will be a 2 p.m. show on Oct. 2.
Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students. Subscriptions to Black Box productions are available.
Any current UCF Student is invited to audition for the upcoming productions of Bury the Dead and Ragtime.
Bury the Dead
Directed by Mark Brotherton
Rehearsals begin Monday, January 9
Performs: February 16-19 and 23-26
Ragtime
Directed by Earl D. Weaver
Rehearsals begin Monday, January 30
Performs:March 22-25, March 29-31, April 1
Rehearsals are held Monday-Friday evenings from 7:00-10:00 pm and Saturday and/or Sunday 2:00-5:00 pm and/or 7:00-10:00 pm.You MUST be available for all called rehearsals in order to participate in these productions.
All students will have one weekend day off (at the discretion of the Director) until Tech Weekend (the weekend before the show opens).
Auditioners are expected to accept their role(s) as cast.Every student cast in these productions must register for a 1-credit Theatre Participation course in Spring 2012.
General auditions for 2012 Theatre UCF Spring productions will be held by appointment in Studio 1 (Room 107) of the Theatre Performing Arts Center as follows:
[Cast/Crew members of The Pajama Game will have priority this evening]
You must be available for all callback dates as needed by the Directors.
Callbacks will be held in Studio 1 (Room 107) as follows:
Wednesday, October 26
6:00-10:00 - Callbacks for Bury the Dead
[Priority given to cast/crew of The Pajama Game]
Thursday, October 27
6:00-10:00 - Callbacks for Bury the Dead
[Gem of the Ocean cast will be seen between 6:00-7:00]
Friday, October 28
6:00-10:00 - Callbacks for Bury the Dead
[Gem of the Ocean cast will be seen between 6:00-7:00]
Sunday, October 30
6:00-10:00 - Callbacks for Bury the Dead
[Gem of the Ocean cast will be seen between 6:00-7:00]
Monday, October 31
6:00-10:00 - Callbacks for Ragtime
[I cast will be seen between 6:00-7:00]
Tuesday, November 1
6:00-10:00 - Callbacks for Ragtime
[Gem of the Ocean cast will be seen between 6:00-7:00]
Cast lists will be posted Wednesday, November 2
Reminder:All BFA and MFA acting and musical theatre majors are required to audition.It is YOUR responsibility to insure you meet this requirement by requesting an audition appointment.You will not be given an appointment automatically.
Audition Requirements
-TWO copies of your headshot and resume.Headshots may be photocopied for this audition.
-TWO completed copies of the Department Audition Form, attached to your headshot/resume.The audition form can be found online at www.theatre.ucf.edu under "Student Guidelines and Manuals."Look for the "Production Audition Form" on the left-hand side of the web page.
-16-32 bars of a song in a style appropriate for Ragtime - If you don't know what the appropriate style is, do some research on the show...listen to the CD...study the time period.
-ONE monologue
-You will have 2 minutes to complete your audition material.
-There will be no dance audition.
-YOU MUST SING FIRST!!If you do not sing first, your audition will be stopped, and you will waste valuable audition time.We will not stop the clock for you to begin again.
-You will be expected to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to your audition appointment.If you are not ready when your audition appointment arrives, you will forfeit your appointment time and will be rescheduled, if there are slots available.
-If you arrive at your audition appointment without the appropriate materials prepared, you will not be allowed to audition.You will forfeit your appointment time and will be rescheduled, if there are slots available.
How To Get An Audition Appointment
E-mail requests without all the required information will be deleted, and you will forfeit your chance at getting an audition slot.
E-mail Earl Weaver at Earl.Weaver@ucf.edu.In the email, include the following information:
-Name
-Major
-Phone number where you can be reached
-Note if you are a cast/crew member of The Pajama Game or Gem of the Ocean
----------
-Audition slots will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis as requests are received.Be sure to submit your request early.If you are unsure about whether or not you are required to audition, contact your Area Coordinator for clarification.
-Once Earl receives your audition request, you will be given the next available slot.Earl will not take requests for specific days/times.
-Audition appointments will be assigned only through e-mail requests.
-You will receive an audition appointment from Earl via e-mail.When you receive it, please confirm you have the information you need.
Theatre UCF and Orlando Repertory Theatre (The REP) are proud to present Locomotion, November 18, 19 & 20, 2011 at The REP. Based of the award-winning novel by Jacqueline Woodson, Locomotion tells the story of Lonnie Collins Motion, an 11-year-old boy learning to find hope through his talents. This production is a co-collaboration with the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts.
