2004 - 2005 Season

Oleanna by David Mamet

This is the intense tale of a teacher-student relationship gone awry: bringing to the foreground complex social issues affecting education today. The play deals with questions of sexual harassment and political correctness, but within the context of education’s hierarchal power structure. Sure to be a hot topic on campus!

September 17, 18, 22, 23, 24 at 7:30 p.m.
September 19*, 25 at 2 p.m.

Gladys G. Davis Theatre

Women and Creativity Conference Special Performance:

Adaptation based on the play “A Voice of My Own” by Elinor Jones

This is the story of the passion of women writers to put their thoughts on paper. Celebrating their challenges, journeys and dreams, this play travels with them from the first recorded writings to our favorite modern works. Hear the words of Emily Dickinson, Lillian Hellman, Virginia Woolf, Dorothy Parker and many others as their brilliant stories come to life. Join us for this one-of-a-kind musical poem as we nurture a community that gives courage to anyone daring enough to find a voice of her own!

October 16, 20, 21, 22 at 7:30 p.m.
October 17*, 23, 24 at 2 p.m.

Gladys G. Davis Theatre

The Kolonists by Steven Dykes

What happens when the life you’ve always known gets taken from you? After fifty years of Soviet occupation, Estonia emerges once again as a democracy, forcing Russians living there to face the daunting prospect of one world ending and another one beginning. Families that once ruled confront upheaval and the betrayal of those closest to them. This brilliantly written play—with echoes of Chekhov—seems as contemporary as today’s headlines.

November 12, 13, 17, 18, 19 at 7:30 p.m.
November 14*, 20 at 2 p.m.

Gladys G. Davis Theatre

Special Bonus Show

The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare

This romantic tragic-comedy finds Leontes, the king of Sicilia, jealously believing that his faithful wife Hermione has committed adultery with his old friend Polixenes, the king of Bohemia. Sixteen years pass and the two families are movingly reconciled through the restorative love of their children. Master of Fine Arts Performance candidates are in-residence for their West Virginia Tour. See our graduating class shine in this Shakespeare classic. We are proud to present the play in downtown Morgantown’s Metropolitan Theatre for the local community.

January 27, 28 at 7:30 p.m.
January 29*, 30 at 2 p.m.

Metropolitan Theatre, 373 High Street, Downtown Morgantown

An Evening of Plays by West Virginia University Playwrights

Join us for an inspiring collection of new works by cutting-edge writers from the Division of Theatre and Dance! A truly homegrown assortment of talent and themes take center stage in these short pieces. Watch for our BA Showcase, where students in the Bachelor of Arts degree program strut their stuff as writers, directors, actors, designers, and everything in between.

February 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, at 7:30 p.m.
February 6*, 12 at 2 p.m.

Gladys G. Davis Theatre

Dance Concert 2004
Art that moves us!

Join us for another fabulous mix of modern, ballet, jazz, and theatre movement choreographed by our students, faculty and guest artists. Featuring the members of the Orchesis Dance Ensemble, this year’s dance concert promises creative, innovative, and stylish performances.

March 3, 4, 5 at 7:30 p.m.
March 6 at 2 p.m.

Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre

Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine

A joint production with the Division of Music and the Opera Theatre Program

This Tony Award–winning musical blends various familiar fairy tales with an original story of a childless Baker and his Wife. In the first act, the characters set out to achieve their goal of living “Happily Ever After” through familiar routes—Cinderella goes to the Ball, Jack climbs the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood survives her clash with the Wolf, and Rapunzel manages to escape her tower with the aid of a handsome prince. Act Two, however, deals with the consequences that traditional fairy tales conveniently ignore. What does one do with a dead giant in the back yard? Does marrying a prince really lead to a happy and fulfilling life? Ultimately, all the characters must deal with what happens after “happily ever after.”

April 12, 13*, 15, at 7:30 p.m.
April 14, 15 at 10 a.m. One-Act Student Matinees
April 16 at 3:15 p.m. Family Matinee Day

Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre

*Performances that will be interpreted for the hearing impaired are denoted with an asterisk.

THEATRE AND DANCE NON-SUBSCRIPTION EVENTS

Oleanna

September 19 “Upfront and Backstage” Presentation
September 23 Post-show discussion with the company and representatives from the Office of Social Justice

Women and Creativity Conference Special Event Performance.

Adaptation based on the play "A Voice of My Own" by Elinor Jones

October 15 Performance for WVU Women & Creativity Conference Attendees
October 17 “Upfront and Backstage” Presentation
October 21 Post-show discussion with the company, and guest artists from the Women and Creativity Conference

The Kolonists

November 14 “Upfront and Backstage” Presentation
November 18 Post-show discussion with the director, designers, and company

An Evening of Plays by West Virginia University Playwrights

February 6 “Upfront and Backstage” Presentation
February 10 Post-show discussion with student playwrights, directors, and mentors

Dance Concert 2004

March 6 “Upfront and Backstage” Presentation

Into the Woods

April 16 “Upfront and Backstage” Presentation
Followed by a “Family Friendly” One-Act version of the musical
(Although the musical is a bit dark, the first act is exactly what fairy tales should be. Join us and bring the whole family for this special performance that is short, sweet and perfect for theatre audiences of all ages.)

Upfront & Backstage Presentations

These presentations begin prior to the show at 12:30 p.m. Meet the people behind the scenes, tour backstage, and visit the shops where scenery, props, and costumes are built. Don’t miss this opportunity to see how we make magic out of the most ordinary objects. All presentations will begin in the lobby of the Gladys G. Davis Theatre.

Post-Show Panel Discussions

These discussions with the director, designers, and company begin immediately following the performances on the designated dates. The audience will have an opportunity to ask questions, make comments, and discuss the process of bringing these plays to life.

School Matinees

Although not all are listed here, school matinees will be available throughout the season. Schools interested in attending matinee productions should call the Mountainlair and CAC Box Offices at (304) 293-SHOW or the Division of Theatre and Dance at 304-293-4841 Ext. 3120. Special ticket prices are available.

Previous Seasons