ISU Theatre Schedule

College News Archive LAS News
	August 11, 2008 Multiple decisions go into developing ISU Theatre season Months before classes start at Iowa State University, faculty members and students from ISU Theatre sit down and plan out the coming production schedule. The process can be long and drawn out as a number of variables are considered before the final six-show season is announced. Jane Cox, ISU Theatre director, says the educational experience of the students is paramount in the decision process. "Every three years we want to be able to provide students with a wide variety of productions," Cox said. "Our goal is to make sure that during a student's time at Iowa State, they will have the opportunity to work on a Shakespeare production, operas, comedies, classic plays and brand-new material." But there's more to selecting the final schedule than slotting in "Hamlet" or "King Lear" every three years. One of the most difficult is creating a season where the number of roles available to men and women are somewhat equal. "There are just a lot more roles available for men," Cox said, "especially in the older productions." ISU Theatre also wants to expose students to a variety of other theatrical experiences, including working with large and small casts and performing well-known titles as well as lesser-known works. The design requirements for a show are also considered Cox said, as well as the director's wishes. "We don't force a director to spend months working on a script that they hate," she said. And, of course, budget and potential revenue are major factors when it comes time to put the season together. The 2008-09 season includes two potential popular shows – "A Christmas Carol" and the Stars Over VEISHEA musical "Gypsy." Both productions have proven in the past to be robust ticket sellers. "A Christmas Carol," which has been adapted by Cox from the Charles Dickens' classic, is presented every three years. It will be presented six times Dec. 5-7 and 12-14. "Gypsy" is the classic Broadway musical tale of the stage-mother Rose who pushes her two daughters into show business with music and lyrics by Julie Styne and Stephen Sondheim. Because of the decision to move the dates of VEISHEA, "Gypsy" will be performed in Fisher Theater April 15-19. Other shows on the ISU Theatre 2008-09 season include: "Fifth of July" – Oct. 3-5 & 10-12. The winner of the Tony Award for Best Play in 1981, "Fifth of July" is a look at a Midwestern family beginning to cope with lost hopes and dreams. "Tartuffe" – Nov. 6-9. An updated version of Moliere's classic, this production will be set in Greenwich Village in the late 1950s where family problems, generations who cannot agree, fools who are admired and persons of reason who are ignored are paramount. "The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail" – Feb. 27-28, March 1, 6-8. Henry David Thoreau's famous act of civil disobedience is a play about ideas, political and personal, and about each person's responsibility to ensure independence and democracy. "Vinegar Tom" – April 30, May 1-3. The play set in 17th century England examines the relationship of gender and power as woman after woman goes on trial as witches. "Some of the titles we selected this year aren't as well known as others," Cox said, "but we wanted to communicate a number of issues these scripts explore. "We think we have an interesting and exciting season. Each production has something to say in its own right with interesting themes, ideas and characters that will draw the audience in." Each production, except for "Vinegar Tom," will be held in Fisher Theater. "Vinegar Tom" will be performed in the Maintenance Shop of the Memorial Union. Show times are 7:30 p.m. with Sunday's performances set for 2 p.m. Tickets are available through TicketMaster.