2009–2010 Dance and Theatre Season
For information about dance performances, e-mail Carol Finley
For information about theatre performances, e-mail Catherine Rodgers
SEPTEMBER
The Grinning Man—A new work by Alex Smith
Produced by Stillwater Theatre Company
September 18 and 19, 22–26 at 8 p.m. and September 20 & 27 at 3 p.m.
Studio Theatre, Jones Hall
Husband and wife Eliot and Gale are owners of The Phoenician, a successful exotic flower shop. When the play opens, they are awaiting the arrival of Theresa, a friend who is troubled, estranged; as they close shop for the day, they are visited by a mysterious (and menacing) customer, the Grinning Man. Who is this man? Why is he so disturbingly familiar?
Secrets and lies, apparitions and mysteries.....the debut production of a nightmarish new work.
Tickets: Call (919) 760-2840 for ticket reservations. Tickets are $15 and $10. Free for Meredith faculty/staff/students.
OCTOBER
Ruthless! The Musical—Book & lyrics by Joal Paley, music by Marvin Laird
October 27–31 at 8 p.m., November 1 at 3 p.m.
Jones Auditorium
Eight year old Tina Denmark knows she was born to play Pippi Longstocking and she will do anything to win the part in her school musical. "Anything" includes murdering the leading lady! This aggressively outrageous musical hit garnered rave reviews during its long Off-Broadway run—so don’t miss the fun!
Tickets: Call (919) 760-2840 for ticket reservations. Tickets are $15 and $10. Free for Meredith faculty/staff/students.
NOVEMBER
High School Day of Dance
November 20, 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Weatherspoon Gym and Jones Auditorium
This is an invitation for high school dance students and their teachers to visit the Dance Program at Meredith, take master class, meet faculty, tour the campus and share their own choreography. There is no registration fee but pre-registration is required.
Information: Call Dr. Sherry Shapiro at (919) 760-2857.
• • •
Meredith Dance Theatre in Concert: Celebrating 25 Years
Student Choreography Concert: Friday, November 20 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, November 21 at 3 p.m.
Repertory Concert: Saturday, November 21 8 p.m. and Sunday, November 22 at 3 p.m.
Gala Performance: Sunday, November 22 at 8 p.m.
Meredith Dance Theatre will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a concert of student works, a repertory concert featuring guest artist, faculty and alumnae work, and a gala concert with highlights from both. The repertory concert will feature new and vintage works by guest artists Robin Harris and Carson Efird, artistic director Carol Kyles Finley, and MDT alumnae. The gala performance will feature works adjudicated from both programs.
Tickets: Call (919) 760-2840 for ticket reservations. Tickets are $10 and $5. Purchase of one ticket gains admission to all programs. Free for Meredith faculty/staff/students.
DECEMBER
One-Act Plays
December 2 and 3, 8 p.m.
Studio Theatre, Jones Hall
The Directing students in THE 425 will be providing two evenings of one-act productions as their final projects for the class.
Free and open to the public.
JANUARY
North Carolina Dance Festival
January 23–24, 8 p.m.
Jones Auditorium
The Festival this year will again feature the Center for Women in the Art's Affiliate Artist Program. Local choreographer Autmn Belk was selected to rehearse at Meredith throughout the year and perform on both Friday and Saturday nights of the festival. Touring artists this season are:
January 22: Joan-Nicholas Walker and Courtney Greer (Raleigh), Cindy Mancini (Rocky Mount), Natalie Marrone (Raleigh), and Kinetic Works Dance (Charlotte)
January 23: Cyrus Art Production (Greensboro), Even Exchange Dance Theater (Raleigh), Eleanor Smith (Raleigh), Kim Jones (Charlotte), and others
This event is co-sponsored by Meredith College and the North Carolina Dance Project and supported by the North Carolina Arts Council.
Tickets: Call (919) 760-2840 for ticket reservations. All tickets $10. Festival pass $18. Free for Meredith faculty/staff/students.
• • •
Children’s Festival
January 25, 3 p.m.
Jones Auditorium
This year's festival will again celebrate area youth performing many styles of dance including dancers from Enloe High School, the Meredith Jazz and Tap Ensemble, and others. The dedication, skill and talent of these young performers makes this evening inspiring and fun. Call (919) 760-8015 for information.
Tickets: Call (919) 760-2840 for ticket reservations. All tickets $5. Festival pass $18. Free for Meredith faculty/staff/students.
• • •
Meredith Jazz and Tap Ensemble in Concert
January 29–30, 8 p.m.
Jones Auditorium
Now called the Meredith Jazz and Tap Ensemble, this exciting group will perform works by students and guests. Call (919) 760-8015 for information.
Tickets: Call (919) 760-2840 for ticket reservations. Tickets are $10 and $5. Free for Meredith faculty/staff/students.
FEBRUARY
Kabuki Lady Macbeth by Karen Sunde, conceived by Shozo Sato
February 16–20 at 8 p.m., February 21 at 3 p.m.
Studio Theatre, Jones Hall
A retelling of Shakespeare’s story, this drama presents the Bard’s tale from its heroine’s point of view, exploring her desires and motives. Though witches called Light, Shadow and Destiny lead us through the tale and warn that balancing light and dark, brave and gentle, is the way to a happy life, they wickedly midwife lady M’s transformation from gentle lady to snake demon. “Rise. Look to the sun. When evil is set loose, it will be someone’s destiny to bleach the earth.”
Tickets: Call (919) 760-2840 for ticket reservations. Tickets are $10 and $5. Free for Meredith faculty/staff/students.
MARCH
The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler
March 5 & 6 at 8 p.m.
Jones Auditorium
This annual work, produced by the Extra Theatre Company, raises funds for the Interact Agency of Wake County in order to help local women in need.
Tickets: Call (919) 760-2840 for ticket reservations. Tickets are $10 and $5. Free for Meredith faculty/staff/students.
APRIL
How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel
April 13–17 at 8 p.m., April 18 at 3 p.m.
Studio Theatre, Jones Hall
Winner of the 1998 Pulitzer Prize, this comedy/drama is a tremendous achievement, genuine and genuinely disturbing. A wildly funny, surprising and devastating tale of survival as seen through the lens of a troubling relationship between a young girl and an older man, it is the story of a woman who learns the rules of the road and life from behind the wheel. The play is a potent and convincing comment on a taboo subject, and its impact sneaks up on its audience.
• • •
DanceWorks
Program A: April 23 at 8 pm and April 24 at 3 pm
Program B: April 24 at 8 pm and April 25 at 3 pm
Gala Performance: April 25 8 pm
Jones Auditorium
The annual spring concert produced by the dance program will feature work by guest artists, faculty, alumnae, and students. The adjudicated gala performance will features highlights of both programs.
Tickets: Call (919) 760-2840 for ticket reservations. Tickets are $10 and $5. Purchase of one ticket gains admission to all programs. Free for Meredith faculty/staff/students.
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