Appalachian State University’s Theatre & Dance department just announced its fall schedule, which will deliver a variety of student showcases.
The season will kick off with the annual First Year Showcase, which will run Thursday, Sept. 27 to Saturday, Sept. 29 and showcase the talents of students new to the program.
It will conclude with the New Play Festival, held Thursday, Nov. 29 to Saturday, Dec. 1, which will feature one-act plays written, produced, performed and directed by students.
Theatre & Dance Chair Marianne Adams heads the committee which sets out to select each year’s performances.
“Deciding a season is always somewhat of a puzzle,” Adams said. “Factors considered are the number and type of student roles, choosing a balance of time periods and play styles over a four-year period, artistic inspirations of the faculty, [and] ability to produce the ‘whole’ season in terms of design, technical and budgetary constraints.”
Student interest is pivotal to the success of the season, Adams said.
“Our production funding is, for the most part, from student development and is student fee-supported.”
And that interest is important because the performing arts are “the living, breathing pulse of a community,” she said.
“The performing arts have always brought issues to light that need to be discussed, showcased visionary thinkers and demonstrated creative problem-solving.”
Some students’ interest leads to involvement — like sophomore undecided major Shane Jones, who starred in “The Odd Couple” last spring.
“It’s just a really cool form of entertainment that not a lot of people tend to recognize anymore,” Jones said.
Other students are simply supporters.
“I have always supported my high school drama program and plan to do the same at Appalachian State,” freshman undecided major Wes Capps said.
For more information, visit theatre.appstate.edu. To check audition times, visit theatre.appstate.edu/performances.
Full Schedule:
First Year Showcase
September 27 to 29 from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
I.G. Greer Studio Theatre
Noises Off
October 3 to 6 at 7:30 p.m. and October 7 at 2 p.m.
Valborg Theatre
North Carolina Dance Festival
October 25 to 27 at 7:30 p.m.
Valborg Theatre
Middletown
October 31 to November 3 at 7:30 p.m., November 4 at 2 p.m., November 7 to 10 at 7:30 p.m. and November 11 at 2 p.m.
Valborg Theatre
Butoh Dance Theatre
November 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Valborg Theatre
Fall Appalachian Dance Ensemble
November 14 to 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Valborg Theatre
New Play Festival
November 29 to Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Valborg Theatre