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The Department of Theatre and Dance at Appalachian State University Announces Fall 2013 Season Lineup

Sept. 23, 2013. The Department of Theatre and Dance at Appalachian State University announces its Fall 2013 season. Among the offerings are the premiere of local playwright Joel Williams’ Appalachian story, a new work by local choreographer Emily Daughtridge that will be seen across the state as part of the North Carolina Dance Festival, and the production of the rarely seen tragedy “Trojan Women.”

Productions will take place in three different venues, including the state-of-the-art Valborg Theatre, the intimate I.G. Greer Studio and the newly renovated Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts, all located on campus. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. with the exception of matinees, which start at 2 p.m. Ticket prices begin at $8 for students. 

The First Year Student Showcase kicks off the season by highlighting students making their debut performances in the Department of Theatre and Dance. The talent and potential of these first year students will be on display Sept. 26-28 at 7:30 p.m. in I.G. Greer Studio Theatre. The showcase is co-directed by faculty members Teresa Lee and Sherone Price. 

“Promises” tells the story of Joseph, an older man who must come to terms with love, loss, betrayal, reconciliation and promises-both kept and broken- as he sets out to fulfil his dying mother’s last request. Written by professor Joel Williams and directed by theatre faculty member Derek Davidson, “Promises” was selected as a winner of ScriptFest 2012 and will receive a professional premiere at the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre during the summer of 2014. Appalachian’s premiere preview will take place in Valborg Theatre Oct. 2-5 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 6 at 2 p.m.

The North Carolina Dance Festival takes the stage at Valborg Theatre Oct. 24-26 at 7:30 p.m. Comprised of eight different touring companies, this annual festival travels to only five communities throughout the state with professional choreographers and dancers performing alongside local artists, creating a fluid range of dance artistry. After a highly competitive selection process, an original piece by Associate Professor Emily Daughtridge was selected as a featured work on the program.

Dr. Ray Miller will direct Euripides’ classic tragedy, “Trojan Women.” It tells the story of the women enslaved in the shattered city of Troy after the Athenians have sacked it while enjoying the spoils of war. Though several Greek plays were considered for production, this particular script was chosen in order to fully display the considerable talents of Appalachian’s female student performers. “Trojan Women” will run Nov. 6-9 at 7:30 p.m. in Valborg Theatre with a matinee on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. 

The popular Fall Appalachian Dance Ensemble (FADE) will be the first campus dance event to be performed in the newly refurbished Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. Dance cultivates the mind and body in a harmonious melody, and the works choreographed by both students and faculty will display the true versatility of the performers at Appalachian. FADE will be performed on Nov. 21-23 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available at the Valborg Theatre box office Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. by phone at 828-262-3063 or toll free at 800-841-2787 and online at www.theatre.appstate.edu.

The newly renovated Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts, formally known as Farthing Auditorium, is located on Rivers Street between Wey Hall and Broyhill Music Center. Parking is available after 5 p.m. across the street in Raley parking lot, as well as the Hayes School of Music lot. Valborg Theatre is located on the back of Chapel Wilson Hall with a lobby entrance facing the back of the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts on King Street. I.G. Greer Studio Theatre is located in the lower level of I.G. Greer Hall, on the building’s east side with its door facing B.B. Dougherty Administration Building. Parking is available in faculty lots after 5 p.m. and in the College Street parking deck near Belk Library and Information Commons after 5:30 p.m. Parking is also available in the Rivers Street Parking Deck.