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Plays are like people. They begin with a twinkle in the eye, go through a long embryonic period, and after many hours of intense labor, pop out to take their place on life’s stage. In this case the stage is a part of the SIUC Department of Theater and the “babies” are world premier productions.
The Department of Theater, which boasts one of the midwest's most vital MFA degree programs in playwriting, will present two new plays in a New Play Festival, Nov. 4-7 in the C.H. Moe Theater located in the Communications Building on the SIUC Campus. The plays “Bananapocalypse” and “Everywhere You Look” will play in rotation with “Bananapocalypse” performing Thurs. and Sat. at 7:30 pm, and “Everywhere You Look” playing Fri. at 7:30 and Sun. at 2 pm.
“Bananapocalypse,” written by David Clark is a hysterical comedy about bananas and world destruction. A scientist, trying to obtain funding in order to complete his invention of an engine that runs on air, fakes a banana panic, sending world leaders to the brink of catastrophe. The play features Jimmy Heisner as the scientist, and Bret Corell as the senator who stands in the way of his project’s funding. Bianca Jaconetty is the love interest, with Kathryn Stephens and Sean Fritsch as supportive scientists. Carter Wilkinson and Lauren Conner perform as the two-person cast of hundreds. The play is directed by J. Thomas Kidd.
“Everywhere You Look,” written by Jeff Nichols is a searing look at
fear and suspicion. In the dark, chaotic aftermath of a devastating
attack on the city of Detroit, a man becomes the shadowy target of his own son’s investigation when he harbors a suspected terrorist. Aaron Clark plays the civil rights activist, James Halligan. Jane Grote portrays his ex-wife, Jean, and Brian Nelson is their adopted son, Ford, the detective spearheading the search. Benjamin Ponce plays Hassan Houkman, the friend in hiding. Jim Kress plays Detective Roberts, with Max Ryan and Luke Moats as vigilante citizens determined to preserve their neighborhood at any cost. The play is directed by Jenny Holcombe.
The sets for the Festival productions are designed by John GlazierLighting is designed by Meghan O’Rourke, and costumes by Jane Pivovarnik.
The New Play Festival’s productions play in rotation, Nov. 4 -7 in the C.H. Moe Theater. “Bananapocalypse” performs Thurs. and Sat. at 7:30 pm, with “Everywhere You Look” playing Fri. at 7:30 and Sun. at 2 pm.
Tickets to each of the plays are $12 for adults and $6 for students.
They can be purchased by calling 618-453-6000, on line at southernTicketsOnline.com, or in person at the box office window at the McLeod Theater 12-5 pm Mon. - Fri., also one hour before each performance. All seats are general admission and seating will be on a first come first served basis. Early purchase and arrival is suggested. The playwrights will be on hand to discuss the inspiration and development of their work at a pre-show lecture in the MCMA Dean’s Conference Room at 1:30 pm prior to the Sunday, Nov. 7 matinee performance.
Plays are like people. They begin with a twinkle in the eye, go through a long embryonic period, and after many hours of intense labor, pop out to take their place on life’s stage. In this case the stage is a part of the SIUC Department of Theater and the “babies” are world premier productions.
The Department of Theater, which boasts one of the midwest's most vital MFA degree programs in playwriting, will present two new plays in a New Play Festival, Nov. 4-7 in the C.H. Moe Theater located in the Communications Building on the SIUC Campus. The plays “Bananapocalypse” and “Everywhere You Look” will play in rotation with “Bananapocalypse” performing Thurs. and Sat. at 7:30 pm, and “Everywhere You Look” playing Fri. at 7:30 and Sun. at 2 pm.
“Bananapocalypse,” written by David Clark is a hysterical comedy about bananas and world destruction. A scientist, trying to obtain funding in order to complete his invention of an engine that runs on air, fakes a banana panic, sending world leaders to the brink of catastrophe. The play features Jimmy Heisner as the scientist, and Bret Corell as the senator who stands in the way of his project’s funding. Bianca Jaconetty is the love interest, with Kathryn Stephens and Sean Fritsch as supportive scientists. Carter Wilkinson and Lauren Conner perform as the two-person cast of hundreds. The play is directed by J. Thomas Kidd.
“Everywhere You Look,” written by Jeff Nichols is a searing look at
fear and suspicion. In the dark, chaotic aftermath of a devastating
attack on the city of Detroit, a man becomes the shadowy target of his own son’s investigation when he harbors a suspected terrorist. Aaron Clark plays the civil rights activist, James Halligan. Jane Grote portrays his ex-wife, Jean, and Brian Nelson is their adopted son, Ford, the detective spearheading the search. Benjamin Ponce plays Hassan Houkman, the friend in hiding. Jim Kress plays Detective Roberts, with Max Ryan and Luke Moats as vigilante citizens determined to preserve their neighborhood at any cost. The play is directed by Jenny Holcombe.
The sets for the Festival productions are designed by John GlazierLighting is designed by Meghan O’Rourke, and costumes by Jane Pivovarnik.
The New Play Festival’s productions play in rotation, Nov. 4 -7 in the C.H. Moe Theater. “Bananapocalypse” performs Thurs. and Sat. at 7:30 pm, with “Everywhere You Look” playing Fri. at 7:30 and Sun. at 2 pm.
Tickets to each of the plays are $12 for adults and $6 for students.
They can be purchased by calling 618-453-6000, on line at southernTicketsOnline.com, or in person at the box office window at the McLeod Theater 12-5 pm Mon. - Fri., also one hour before each performance. All seats are general admission and seating will be on a first come first served basis. Early purchase and arrival is suggested. The playwrights will be on hand to discuss the inspiration and development of their work at a pre-show lecture in the MCMA Dean’s Conference Room at 1:30 pm prior to the Sunday, Nov. 7 matinee performance.
