Theater and Dance

Department of Theater and Dance Production Season 2014-2015

Servant of Two Masters

Identities are mistaken, engagements are broken and lovers are reunited in Carlo Goldoni’s commedia dell’arte masterpiece. Mayhem erupts when the wily—and chronically hungry—servant Truffaldino hatches a zany scheme to double his wages (and his meals) by serving two masters at once.

Dance in Concert

Come join in the 45^th year for DIC! A body in motion tends to stay in motion!  No truer words could be spoken about SIUE alumni and faculty dancers and their love of dance.  Celebrate the poetic beauty of the human body through the interpretive lens of some of the most creative choreographers today!

Far Away  and  A Number (Two one act plays)

by Caryl Churchill
December 2 - 6 at 7:30 p.m.
December 6 and 7th at 2:00 p.m. 
Directed by Dr. Elizabeth D. Lyman
Metcalf Theater

Two one-act plays by British playwright Caryl Churchill: "Far & Away" is a story of a dystopian future where civilization has slipped backwards into an Orwellian barbarism.  More specifically, it is about the fear imposed by a government upon its citizens. This fear permeates the work from the smuggling of people by Joan's uncle to the public march of death for prisoners of the government.  The second play, "A Number," addresses the concept we hold of ourselves about how unique and individualistic we all are.  But how would we feel if we discovered that there was more than one of us? That we were one of many: maybe not even the original, but one of the clones? 

Venus

By Suzan-Lori Parks
Directed by Kathryn Bentley Feburary 21 & 22 and 25-28 at 7:30 p.m.
February 22 & March 1 at 2:00 p.m.
Metcalf Theater

In 1810, Saartjie Baartman, a member of the Khoi-San peoples of South Africa, was transported to London and Paris, where she was dubbed “The Hottentot Venus,” and put on public display in near nude conditions. Her “act” generated a thriving business.  These facts provide Parks with the opportunity to fashion a drama that concerns itself less with history than with the quirkiness of society. "Venus" follows Baartman’s experience in Europe--from her departure from Africa to her untimely death in Paris--and finds a most unusual love story between her and her sponsor, the Baron Docteur. 

Into the Woods

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim 
Book by James Lapine
Directed by Peter Cocuzza
Musical Direction by Marc Schapman
April 22 – 25 at 7:30 p.m.
April 26 at 2:00 p.m.
Dunham Hall Theater

A childless baker and his wife wish to begin a family, but their encounter with a witch who places a curse on them sets them on an amazing quest where they encounter fairy tale characters from the Brothers Grimm such as Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Cinderella.  In a year dominated by "The Phantom of the Opera," "Into the Woods" won several Tony Awards including Best Score, Best Book, and Best Actress in a Musical. 

Monday - Friday - 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM

On Performance Dates:
Wed. - Fri. - 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sat. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Matinees 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM

SIUE students have FREE admission to the Department Theater & Dance's main season and some student produced productions.