The Department of Communication, Media and Theatre is excited to announce the 2018-19 Stage Center Theatre season.
SPRING 2019 PRODUCTIONS
"THE PILLOWMAN" BY MARTIN McDONAGH
Directed by Leslie Hull
Performance Dates: April 11, 12, 18, 19, and 20 at 7:30 p.m.; April 13 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
The Story: With echoes of Stoppard, Kafka and the Brothers Grimm, "The Pillowman" centers on a writer in an unnamed totalitarian state who is being interrogated about the gruesome content of his short stories and their similarities to a series of child murders. The result is an urgent work of theatrical bravura and an unflinching examination of the very nature and purpose of art. Produced by special arrangement with Dramatist Play Services, Inc.
Earlier this season...
"ANTIGONE" BY BERTOLT BRECHT, AND TRANSLATED BY JUDITH MALINA
Directed by John Bliss
Performance Dates: Oct. 18, 19, 20, 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
The Story: Antigone, a young woman, confronts a tyrannical leader who believes he is above the laws of god and man. The ruler Creon issues proclamations, which serve his desire to have the ultimate control over right and wrong, and his advisors do nothing to stop him. Only Antigone stands up for what’s right, even when it means turning her back on her own sister. Performed in modern dress in an adaptation by Bertolt Brecht, this ancient Greek play speaks directly to issues, which confront us today, and encourages us to fight for our beliefs, before it’s too late. Produced by special arrangement with the Office of Richard Garmise, LLC.
"HIGH FIDELITY" LYRICS BY AMANDA GREEN, MUSIC BY TOM KITT, AND BOOK BY DAVID LINDSAY-ABAIRE
Directed by Adam Goldstein, Music Direction by Jacob Fjare, Choreography by Daniel Spagnuolo
Performance Dates: Nov. 29, 30; Dec. 1, 6, 7 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
The Story: When Brooklyn record store owner Rob finds himself unexpectedly dumped, his life takes a music-filled turn toward the introspective. Based on the popular novel by Nick Hornby, "High Fidelity" follows Rob as he struggles to discover how his relationship went awry, and strives to change his life in order to win back his sweetheart Laura. With memorable characters and a rock-and-roll score, this homage to music geek culture explores love, heartbreak and the power of the perfect soundtrack. Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc.
NUEVAS VOCES: A 10-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL AND CONTEST
Founded by: Jim Blair
Directed by: Nathon Santana, Chicago-based Director and Teatro Vista Ensemble Member
Opening Reception: Jan. 25 at 6:30p.m. Performance Dates: Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Current College (Ages 17-28)
- 1st Place ($250): "Enough" Playwright: Diego Leon Roman, NEIU student, freshman, CASEP
- 2nd Place ($150): "Meet Me In The Parking Lot" Playwright: Ariel Notterman, NEIU student, senior, CMT major, Music minor
- 3rd Place ($100): "A Private Hell" Playwright: Becca Peterson, NEIU student, senior, English Secondary Education major, Linguistics minor
Greater Community (29+)
- 1st Place ($250): "Full Life" Playwright: Dan Wirth, CMT Instructor
- 2nd Place ($150): "Crisis Of Independence" Playwright: Sidney Davis III, NEIU student, senior, NDP-Interdisciplinary Studies major, minoring in African & African American Studies and Political Science
Interested in competing? We encourage all students, faculty and staff to submit an original 10-minute play to our next playwriting competition for the October 2019 Nuevas Voces Festival. CAPE will be offering a Playwriting Workshop with Jim Blair in the Spring 2019 semester!
- Categories: Current Illinois high school students, current college (ages 17-29), and the greater community (29+)
- Submission deadline is March 17, 2019
- We will announce winners on or by April 1, 2019
- Opening reception is Oct. 3, 2019, at 6:30 p.m.
- Performances: Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Workshop Performances of: "OFFENDED! or THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. FRANKEN & THE FRANKENZONE MONSTER," A LIVING NEWSPAPER WITH SONGS
Conceived by John Portenlanger and Dan Wirth; structure and characters by Dan Wirth; music by Ian Williams; lyrics by Jill Matel, John Portenlanger, Ian Williams, and Dan Wirth.
Contributors: Shauniece Armstead, Lucky Camargo, Michael Di Vita, Kristian Garcia, Nicholas Griffith, Mosezell Houston, Bridget Jacobsen, Tim Leichty, Sam Lento, Jill Matel, Frannie Mendoza, John Portenlanger, Sabi Reza, Erica Traub, Ian Williams, Dan Wirth, Marty Witkowski and Matthew Wozniczka.
Performance Dates: Feb. 28 and March 1, 2, 7, and 8 at 7:30 p.m.; March 2 and 9 at 2 p.m.
The Story: It's about Dr. Al Franken (not THAT Al Franken) and his journey through “offensive” fairy tales and safe places into the Frankenzone. What happens when people allow their emotional responses to determine what they will and will not think about? Perhaps the Bible says it best: "A time will come when people will not listen to facts. Instead, they will selfishly surround themselves with sources who tell them what they want to hear. When no one has an ear for the truth, they end up with a head full of lies." (2 Timothy 4:2 and 4:3) Join us for a political correctness "battle" featuring students, professors, safe places, microaggressions, possible cultural appropriation, snowflakes, social justice warriors, betas, cucks, millennials, liberals, conservatives, the regressive left, feminists, masculinists, neoreactionaries, Grimms’ Fairy Tales, Aesop's Fables, Shakespeare, Plato's Cave, a talking hamster, a talking peacock, Frankenstein's Monster, and participation trophies, with songs and even some dancing!
