Elkins – The Davis & Elkins College Division of Fine and Performing Arts 2016-2017 theatre season will bring to stage classic drama, comedy and a children’s tale, all sharing lessons learned on the path of change. All performances will take place in the Boiler House Theatre.
“This season is a particularly interesting and exciting one for the D&E Theatre students,” says kb saine, assistant professor of theatre. “We’re gearing up now with the theatrical presentation of an awesome novel. That will be followed with our students learning puppetry and building puppets for ‘The Ugly Duckling,’ which was written by one of our own students, and then we’re going to explore radio drama and the experience of performing a radio show in front of a live audience. We’ve lined up a whole bunch of firsts for our students … and they’re really invested in these new projects.”
“The Giver,” adapted by Eric Coble from the Newbery Award-winning book by Lois Lowry, will be presented October 20-23. The haunting story centers on 11-year-old Jonas, who lives in a futuristic society where there is no pain, fear, war or hatred. There are also no choices. Then, when Jonas turns 12, he is chosen for special training from The Giver — to receive and keep the memories of the community, including memories of real pain and real joy. Now Jonas will learn the truth about life — and about the hypocrisy of his utopian world. Through this moving adaptation, discover what it means to grow up, to grow wise, and to take control of your own destiny.
In late winter, theatre students will present “The Ugly Duckling” by Davis & Elkins College senior Jacob Currence of Beverly, W.Va. Based on the children’s classic, this student-written puppet show adaptation explores loyalty and faith, while reminding us all that beauty is only “down deep.” Performances are scheduled for January 20-22.
Comedy, adventure and the reaction of a live studio audience blend together in “The Odyssey,” adapted by Simon Armitage as a live studio radio broadcast, on April 26-29. The exciting, funny and epic tale of the Greek hero Odysseus’ quest to return home after the Trojan War was originally crafted for BBC radio. In front of a live studio audience, the full radio drama will be recreated as a mini-series for a live broadcast.
Tickets will be available online at www.dewv.edu/arts-entertainment, at the door and by calling the D&E Box Office at 304-637-1255.
The Davis & Elkins College Theatre Program offers courses in theatre and theatre production designed to provide students with knowledge of and experience in an art form which has played a key role in cultural history and contemporary society. Three options are available to students working toward a Bachelor of Arts degree: Theatre Arts, Design & Technical Theatre or Theatre Education. The Theatre Arts program prepares and presents three main stage productions and three to five student-directed studio productions every year.
Related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Davis & Elkins College is located in Elkins, 2 hours east of Charleston, 3 hours south of Pittsburgh and 4 hours west of Washington, D.C. For more information, please visit the College website at www.dewv.edu or call 304-637-1243.
