LJWorld.com / KU theater turns 80

Archive for Saturday, August 16, 2003

J-W Staff Reports

August 16, 2003

University Theatre has been churning out student thespians for nearly eight decades. In fact, the 2003-2004 season marks the 80th anniversary of the program that serves as both entertainment and training ground for the university community.

Auditions are open to anyone, whether you're a theater major or a chemical engineering major. For those who are majoring in theater, the department helps ease the transition with its buddy system. Upper classmen who have been around the block a time or two are paired with incoming freshmen. Auditions begin the first day of fall classes and are open to all students.

In addition to acting, students also can get involved on tech crews, in the costume shop and in the box office.

With its varied bill of fare, the season's program offers something for theatergoers of every taste.

It opens Sept. 5 with William Inge's "Picnic," a production the Kansas-born playwright wrote 50 years ago. The show is set in a small Kansas town and chronicles the rash of changes that occur when a hunky stranger arrives.

Other offerings range from Shakespearean comedy to Broadway musicals. There's even something specifically for family crowds: Theatre for Young People's February production of "Really Rosie."

Here's a look at the season through December:

• "Picnic" by William Inge, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 5-6 and 2:30 p.m. Sept. 7, Crafton-Preyer Theatre.

"The Church of Stop Shopping" with Reverend Billy, special event, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19-20, Swarthout Recital Hall.
"This is Our Youth" by Kenneth Lonergan, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26, Oct. 1 and Oct. 3; 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Sept. 27, Inge Theatre.
"Fefu and Her Friends" by Maria Irene Fornes, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29-30 and Oct. 2; 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Oct. 4, Inge Theatre.
"As You Like It" by William Shakespeare, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10-11, 16-18 and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 12, Crafton-Preyer Theatre.
"Cabaret" by Kander, Ebb and Masteroff, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14, 16, 19-21 and 23; 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Nov. 15 and 22; and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 16 and 23, Crafton-Preyer Theatre.
"Lulu" by Frank Wedekind, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2-5 and 7, 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Dec. 6, and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 7, Inge Theatre.