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GO BACK THE LESSON to open next! Gardner-Webb University Theater presents another outrageously funny and very absurd comedy by Eugene ionesco, the master of French absurd comedy. This companion show to The Bald Soprano will play for four performances in the Millennium Playhouse 22, 23, 24, & 25 April at 7:30 pm each evening. The play stars Heather Bartlett as The Professor and Stacie Worrell as the Pupil. Ticket reservations are available at 704-406-4372. THE BALD SOPRANO a big hit! Gardner-Webb University Theater's production of The Bald Soprano was a big hit this week with audiences of all ages. Sam Dowell and Traci Beckett as Mr. & Mrs. Smith were delightful in their comic roles, as were Brianna Bleymaier and Ashley Burton as the Martins. Chad Mann and Mary Goforth brought down the house with their incidental comedy and funny business. . THE BALD SOPRANO to open in April! Gardner-Webb University Theater presents the outrageously funny and very absurd comedy by Eugene ionesco, the master of French absurd comedy. The show will play for five performances in the Millennium Playhouse 15, 16, 17, 18, & 19 April at 7:30 pm each evening. The play stars Traci Beckett as Mrs. Smith and Sam Dowell as Mr. Smith. Ticket reservations are available at 704-406-4372. World Premiere for GLORIA DEI Gardner-Webb University Theater presents the World Premiere of GLORIA DEI, a new drama by North Carolina playwright and GWU professor Scot Lahaie. The play runs 20-27 February with performances at 7:30 pm, except for the Sunday performance on the 24th, which will be presented as a matinee. The play is a courtroom drama and takes its inspiration from the atrocities surrounding the Terri Schiavo court case in Florida, which allowed a disabled woman to starve to death with the blessing of the courts in 2005. The play stars Brian McGill, junior theater major at GWU, as Father William Seamus and Caleb Houston Moore, senior theater major, as Jim Taylor, defense attorney. Ticket reservations are available at 704-406-4372.
Gardner-Webb University Theater is no longer sponsoring a New Plays Festival. We have not been able to keep up with the growth and expense of the program and feel it is best to let it go. We are considering a Festival of New Work utilizing the short plays of our own students and alum, but that decision has not yet been made.
LEAR ReLoaded on stage!
High praise for GWU Theater's production of Lear ReLoaded, a deconstruction of Shakepeare's King Lear, which was authored by Scot Lahaie, Director of Theater at GWU. "It was an exciting event for us," comments Lahaie, "since this is the first time that we have ventured so fully into the Postmodern production mode." Jacob Jackson, a junior theater major at GWU, played the role of Lear, while Matthew B. Fraiser and Caleb Moore, also junior theater majors, supported in the roles of the Fool and Edgar, son of Gloucester. 24 HOURS a Smashing Success! On 20 January, GWU Theater presented the winter installment of 24 HOURS on the stage of the Millennium Playhouse. The house was packed to capacity and everyone agrees that this was the best event ever! Seven exciting shows were presented with a total ensemble of more than 55 people. "We are always amazed at the quality of work this kind of an event can produce," comments Scot Lahaie, Director of Theater. GWU Theater Produced Beckett's Waiting for Godot It means what it says,” Samuel Beckett said of his absurdist play, “Waiting for Godot,” which was written in the early 1940s and published in 1952. Born 100 years ago in Ireland, Beckett’s works have lived on as inspiration for other absurdist playwrights such as Tom Stoppard and Edward Albee and for acting and directing troupes across the world. The Gardner-Webb University Theater program is proud to participate in the Beckett Centennial as they pay tribute to Beckett in their own October production of Waiting for Godot. The play is divided into two acts. During the entirety of the show, the lead characters, Vladimir and Estragon are waiting, at roadside, for the arrival of Godot. Although other travelers come and go, Godot never comes. At the end of the play, Vladimir asks Estragon, “Well, shall we go?” “Yes, let’s go,” Estragon replies. The two agree to leave, but stay just as they are. In keeping with the rest of the play, the ending is truly absurd and thought provoking, just the way that Beckett intended it to be. Scot Lahaie, director of Gardner-Webb’s Theatre program and director of “Waiting for Godot,” claims that this play is, most arguably, the most famous play of the twentieth century. “We have a great cast put together for this production.” An all-male cast, Lahaie and his troupe have rehearsed tirelessly since the casting of the show early in the semester. Along with the cast, the technical crew has worked equally as hard to prepare for the production. “The scenic element (designed by Christopher Keene) is inspired and contributes significantly to the development of the play’s theme,” Lahaie said. The themes Lahaie refers to are ones typical of a tragic-comedy. While “Waiting for Godot” is a more serious, theological play, it is meant, at times, to be funny. “We are striving to highlight the humor in this very metaphysical play, knowing that the philosophical qualities of the play will take care of themselves,” Lahaie commented on their task at hand. “Our job is to engage and entertain through dramatic action, not to philosophize,” he added. “That comes after the fact.”
24 HOURS Next on the Stage! GWU Theater proudly announces the winter installment of 24 HOURS. which premiere's on the stage of the Millennium Playhouse on 20 January 2007. Call 704-406-4372 for ticket information. Love Letters Next on the Stage! Fall One-Acts Next on the Stage! GWU Theater proudly announces the production of two one-act plays for their fall line-up. Both hour-long plays are student directed and will be presented on the stage of the Millennium Playhouse. Laundry and Bourbon, a Texas Comedy by James McLure, will play 14, 16, & 18 November at 7:30 PM. The hour-long play is directed by Bradley J. Archer and stars Heather Bartlett, Lynn Caponetti, and newcomer Amy Elliot. 'night Mother, a pulitzer-prize winning drama, will play 13, 15, & 17 November at 7:30 PM. This hour-long play is directed by Noelle DeLozier and stars Tara Milligan and Jen Wiles. Call 704-406-4372 for ticket information. GWU Theater Produced Beckett's Waiting for Godot It means what it says,” Samuel Beckett said of his absurdist play, “Waiting for Godot,” which was written in the early 1940s and published in 1952. Born 100 years ago in Ireland, Beckett’s works have lived on as inspiration for other absurdist playwrights such as Tom Stoppard and Edward Albee and for acting and directing troupes across the world. The Gardner-Webb University Theater program is proud to participate in the Beckett Centennial as they pay tribute to Beckett in their own October production of Waiting for Godot. The play is divided into two acts. During the entirety of the show, the lead characters, Vladimir and Estragon are waiting, at roadside, for the arrival of Godot. Although other travelers come and go, Godot never comes. At the end of the play, Vladimir asks Estragon, “Well, shall we go?” “Yes, let’s go,” Estragon replies. The two agree to leave, but stay just as they are. In keeping with the rest of the play, the ending is truly absurd and thought provoking, just the way that Beckett intended it to be. Scot Lahaie, director of Gardner-Webb’s Theatre program and director of “Waiting for Godot,” claims that this play is, most arguably, the most famous play of the twentieth century. “We have a great cast put together for this production.” An all-male cast, Lahaie and his troupe have rehearsed tirelessly since the casting of the show early in the semester. Along with the cast, the technical crew has worked equally as hard to prepare for the production. “The scenic element (designed by Christopher Keene) is inspired and contributes significantly to the development of the play’s theme,” Lahaie said. The themes Lahaie refers to are ones typical of a tragic-comedy. While “Waiting for Godot” is a more serious, theological play, it is meant, at times, to be funny. “We are striving to highlight the humor in this very metaphysical play, knowing that the philosophical qualities of the play will take care of themselves,” Lahaie commented on their task at hand. “Our job is to engage and entertain through dramatic action, not to philosophize,” he added. “That comes after the fact.”
New Plays Festival 2006! Our Spring Symposium 2005 Professor Wins Two More Prizes!
Visit scotlahaie.com for more information about Professor Lahaie's plays. Prospective Students! We are excited about your interest in Theater Arts at Gardner-Webb University! We believe that our program is one of the best in the region with a specific focus on creating original works for the stage. We hope that you will want to be a part of it. Please click here! 24 HOURS a Great Success!  The 24 HOURS Production Company! This photo was taken of the company at the top of the event. We had a sold out house with standing room at the back of the theater filled to capacity. The six plays were pulled off without a hitch and we are so proud of our students! See PHOTOS of the event! Call for Scripts Gardner-Webb University is seeking new scripts (short one-acts and 10-minute plays) for its NEW PLAYS FESTIVAL to be held in spring 2006. The scripts should be either short one-acts (not longer than 20 minutes) or true 10-minute plays. Cast size is unimportant. Unit set or single location is required. No nudity or onstage sex. And no film scripts for adaptation. The plays must be unpublished and cannot have been previously staged for an audience (projects presented in a classroom or workshop are acceptable). The plays produced for the New Plays Festival in 2003 and 2004 were published in two volumes; the 2005 Festival will be published soon. GWU plans to publish the plays produced in the 2006 festival, as well. See the Barnes and Nobles website for details about these publications. Scripts are presently being accepted. Deadline is January 31, 2006. Early submissions are appreciated. Send scripts electronically (preferred) to Professor Scot Lahaie at slahaie@gardner-webb.edu or as hard copy to Scot Lahaie, Director of Theater, Gardner-Webb University, Campus Box 7273, Boiling Springs, NC 28017. (Hard copy submissions should include an e-mail contact address.)
Our New Season: 2005/06
We are excited to announce our new season for the next academic year. Although we are still securing performance rights and negotiating performance spaces, we hope to present the following plays next academic year. We hope you will join us for another great year of theater!
Our Spring Symposium 2005 Staged Readings of Two New Full-length Plays As part of the New Plays Festival, we recently presented staged readings of two new plays. Purging Mary by Scot Lahaie was read on 19 April at 7:30 PM. Embracing by Stan Denman was read on 21 April. The response of those attending the readings was both positive and constructive. Thanks for all those who supported our efforts. New Plays Festival 2005 a Great Success! Six short plays were presented in this year's festival--four comedies and two dramas. New to this year's festival is the staged reading of two new full-length plays. The six short plays performed nightly 13 - 17 April. The first of the full-length plays was read on Tuesday evening 19 April at 7:30 pm, while the second was read on Thursday evening 21 April. Click here to learn more about this year's festival!
Our Spring Symposium
Professor Wins Two More Prizes!
Visit scotlahaie.com for more information about Professor Lahaie's plays.
24 HOURS Triumphs Again!
With a marvelous audience in place on Saturday evening, the 24 HOURS company put on seven marvelous one-act plays! Our students excelled in their writing and performances. Congratulations to all who participated! You achieved a level of excellence higher than any we have achieved yet. We are proud of you all! Check back here in a few days to see the photos of this event. For now, view the photos from last September's event. Click on the link below. Professor Wins Another Prize! The Southestern Theater Conference (SETC) recently announced that DOGFALL, written by Scot Lahaie--our own Director of Theater--has been awarded the Gretchel NEW PLAY AWARD for 2004/05. The honor carries with it a $1,000 prize, a staged reading at the SETC annual convention, and consideration for publication in SETC's Southern Theatre Magazine. Congratulation to Professor Lahaie! Spring Symposium Planned for Spring 2005! We are excited to be working with other departments on the GWU campus in planning an interdisciplinary symposium entitled "Interdisciplinary Perspectives on the Medea Myth," which centers around our staged production of Euripides famous play. More information about the symposium, which is planned for early March 2005, will be available soon at symposium.gardner-webb.edu, so check back again for details. Now Assembling the Company for 24 HOURS The next 24 HOURS is just around the corner! All those wanting to join the company of players for our Spring Installment of 24 HOURS should put their name on the sign up sheet posted on the door of Professor Lahaie's office. Those students wanting to write for this event must attend a mandatory writers' workshop; please see Professor Lahaie for details. Auditions! Auditions! Auditions! Auditions for Medea are scheduled for 18 & 19 January at 7:00 pm in the Dover Theater. This is a large cast show with lots of roles for men and women. We are particularly interested in men who can dance hip-hop. Scripts are available for check-out from Professor Lahaie. We will also be assigning responsibilities for the stage crew at this time.
Dogfall read at NCTC! Curriculum Changes are on the Horizon! The Legacy soon to Premiere! Call for Scripts Gardner-Webb University is seeking new scripts (one-acts and 10-minute plays) for its NEW PLAYS FESTIVAL to be held in spring 2005. The scripts should be either short one-acts (not longer than 20 minutes) or true 10-minute plays. Cast size is unimportant. Unit set or single location is required. The plays must be unpublished and cannot have been previously staged for an audience. The plays produced for the New Plays Festival in 2003 and 2004 were published in two volumes. GWU plans to publish the plays produced in this year’s festival as well. See the Barnes and Nobles website for details about these publications. Deadline is January 31, 2005. Early submissions are appreciated. Send scripts electronically to Prof. Scot Lahaie at slahaie@gardner-webb.edu or as hard copy to Prof. Scot Lahaie, Director of Theater, Gardner-Webb University, Campus Box 7273, Boiling Springs, NC 28017. (Hard copy submissions should include an e-mail contact address.) Bernarda Alba a Smashing Sucess! Auditions! Auditions! Auditions! Destination London: Spring 2004 24 HOURS a Great Success! |
