2012-2013 Season

October 25–27, 2012

U.S. Drag

Mahaney Center for the Arts, Seeler Studio Theatre

Playwright Gina Gionfriddo serves up the story of two vapid but stylish young women who move to Manhattan seeking love and happiness, but they’ll settle for rent money. Sure, they’ll use their limited wiles to schmooze free drinks and cuddle their way toward monthly rent checks, but they’re determined to receive an unwarranted life of stardom. A biting coming-of-age comedy that captures “the viciousness of a certain kind of New York dream”—New York Times. Directed by Alex Draper ’88. Sponsored by the Theatre Program.  Read the press release>> 

November 15–17, 2012

As You Like It

Wright Memorial Theatre

“Sweet are the uses of adversity . . .” This new production of William Shakespeare’s beloved comedy is a melancholy tale of love and exile, set in the early part of the 20th century, as the old world tips forever into the new, and all is forever changed. Directed by Cheryl Faraone. Sponsored by the Theatre Program. Special panel discussion after the Saturday matinee: "Why Shakespeare Today?" Panelists include Middlebury Actors Workshop's Melissa Lourie, Town Hall Theater's Lindsey Pontius, UVM Theatre Professor Stephen Schillinger, and director Cheryl Faraone. Read the press release>>

January 18–19, 2013

The Method Gun

Rude Mechs

 
According to the New York Times, the Rude Mechs are one of three ensemble-theatre companies in the country “making theatre that matters.” Their daring play The Method Gun explores the life of Stella Burden, actor and training guru of the ’60s and ’70s. Her training technique, The Approach (often referred to as “the most dangerous acting technique in the world”), fused Western-acting methods with risk-based rituals in order to infuse even the smallest role with sex, death, and violence. Sponsored by the Performing Arts Series, Theatre Program, and Committee on the Arts. Residency activities are made possible by the Rothrock Family Fund for Experiential Learning in the Performing Arts. Please note this performance includes adult content and nudity.

April 10-13

Middlebury Festival of New Plays: Undressing Cinderella

Wright Memorial Theatre

What happens when Cinderella steps into a Rabbit Hole? Undressing Cinderella is a festival of new plays that have been created specifically for this Inaugural Middlebury New Play Festival.  We challenged playwrights around the nation to turn the well known fairy tale inside out: write a play using any character other than Cinderella as the main focus. Get ready for an explosion of brand new plays and a company of artists ready to rewrite this fairy tale. Two evenings of short plays will be presented "in rep": one program will be shown Wednesday and Friday evenings; a second series will be shown on Thursday and Saturday. Directed by guest artist Andrew Smith ’97.5. Sponsored by the Theatre Program.

May 2–4, 2013

The Castle

Mahaney Center for the Arts, Seeler Studio Theatre

Howard Barker’s play The Castle is an epic work blasting with humor, bawdiness, and violence the limits of desire, pain, and sexuality. After an absence of seven years, a group of Crusaders returns “home” to find authority, religion and gender relations all upended. The Theatre Program continues to explore this
controversial writer for audiences in Middlebury and New York at PTP/NYC. “Barker’s visceral explosion of sex and armaments… It’s pure oxygen time again. Prepare to be wowed.” —Bob Mondello, NPR.  Directed by Richard Romagnoli. Sponsored by the Theatre Program.