Theatre Appreciation

Class: Theatre Appreciation

Research and design a 3 show season idea from selected plays provided for you.
Your assignment this week is to research the plays in the scripts folder. Click on them, read a page or two, then do some production research or a synopsis analysis online. Make notes on all the scripts so you have an idea of what you’re working from. You are acting as the producing artistic director of your own theatre company. I want to see the following things in your post:

1. First-person introduction to your imagined company, including the name of your company.

2. Where your company would be located, and what your theatrical aesthetic or mission goals might be.

3, Then you will introduce your 2021-2022 season selection – introduce us to the titles and playwrights and write a synopsis IN YOUR OWN WORDS. If the theatre’s mission is “children’s theatre” (or something like that) would any of these titles be appropriate? How do you decide if these titles fit your aesthetic? If your aesthetic does not align with any of the titles I’ve provided, I encourage and support you in searching out alternative scripts HOWEVER, you must be able to find a copy of the full text should you choose something other than what I’ve provided.

4. Choose dates for your imaginary season. Tell us about the themes present.

5, Then inform your audience why you think these particular three titles are timely, important, or interesting for them to view.

Structure this as a flyer, letter, or email you’re sending out as your season announcement. I’ve drafted an example below:

FOR EXAMPLE:

Hello, I’m XXXXXX, the Producing Artistic Director of Bright Young Things, a new Omaha theatre company united on ensemble-based practices, social activism, and community engagement. I’m delighted to announce our season selections for 2021-2022 as a “year of change”. These titles were voted on by our patrons and finalized by our artistic ensemble. We are delighted to share these incredible plays with you!

We open with a production of Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan McMillian, directed by ensemble member and playwright in residence Beaufield Berry. This solo play engages audiences in a 90-minute experience with the narrator’s humorous, heartbreaking, and poignant relationship to their mother’s mental illness. Ensemble-member Colt Neidhardt stars in this production which is in partnership with local non-profit The Kim Foundation who will facilitate talkbacks with the audience on select performances. This production runs from October 1st-November 14th, 2021.

Next in our season is the hilarious and inspiring regional premiere of Sean Daniels’ The White Chip which he will also direct. The autobiographical look at addiction and recovery is packed with humor and community in the face of a lonely disease. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit Alcoholics Anonymous World’s Services. Special performances sans alcohol sales and pay-what-you-can nights are available during this run to patrons in recovery. Contact box office coordinator Emma Givens to sponsor a ticket price for someone in need. The White Chip runs from January 6th-February 12th, 2022.

Closing our season is Anne Washburn’s revolutionary play Mr. Burns: a post-electric play chronicling the evolution of storytelling through three acts. After a global explosion of nuclear proportion, survivors are reduced to recounting episodes of The Simpsons as campfire entertainment as they adapt to apocalyptic life. This play explores many genres of storytelling while really honing in on our need for human connection and entertainment in the face of change and destruction. Bright Young Things ensemble members will act in this production. Mercury bartender Phil Athy designs themed cocktails for each act and special event night screenings of curated episodes of The Simpsons are available prior to the show and at intermission. Mr. Burns runs from March 10th-April 14th, 2022.

If you purchase season tickets now until August 1st, you’ll receive a complimentary ticket to the limited run of Omaha playwright Beaufield Berry’s newest musical Ok, Boomer, written for students at Creighton University and produced in partnership with BYT April 29th-May 20th, 2022. This special engagement is open only to season subscribers and university students!

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