ArtiFacts 12/5/14

Theater students to direct scenes

Theater students at Southeast Missouri State University will present a series of short scenes as the culmination of their Directing I class projects Dec. 16 and 17 in the Directing Studio at Southeast's River Campus Center, Room 114. The two-evening series at 7:30 p.m. will consist of 10- to 12-minute scenes. It is free to the public. Various styles, from contemporary comedies to classic dramas, will be featured. The Directing I Scenes highlight the work of first-time directors in Southeast's Theatre and Dance program. The student directors chose their selections. In a series of short scenes featuring Southeast students acting in the plays, the new directors can turn what they learn in the classroom into onstage public performances. The goal of Directing I students is to improve their understanding of the practical and artistic skills of directing for the theater. These productions may contain adult content.

Three comedies coming to Southeast

"Durang, Durang" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and 13 in the Rust Flexible Theatre at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus. "Durang, Durang" consists of three short comedies by Christopher Durang: "Naomi in the Living Room," "Wanda's Visit" and "For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls." In "Naomi in the Living Room," Naomi is visited by John and Johnna, her son and daughter-in-law, to whom Naomi is alternately friendly and insulting. Johnna copes, but when John changes his clothes to look like Johnna, things start to unravel. In "Wanda's Visit," Jim and Marsha have been married for 13 years and are feeling bored and unhappy. Wanda, Jim's old girlfriend, shows up for a visit and becomes the guest from hell. "For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls" is a parody of "The Glass Menagerie." In this comedy, the fading Southern belle, Amanda, tries to prepare her hypersensitive, hypochondriac son Lawrence for "the feminine caller." Tickets may be bought by contacting the River Campus box office in the Cultural Arts Center, 518 S. Fountain St. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, by calling 651-2265 or by visiting RiverCampus Events.com.

'Last Chance to Dance' is Dec. 14, 15

Dance pieces will be featured in the Theatre and Dance Second Stage Series event, "Last Chance to Dance -- Fall," scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 15 in the Bedell Performance Hall at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus. "Last Chance to Dance -- Fall" allows a student to present work without an audition. For some students, this is their first time presenting work in front of an audience. Most students will be theater and dance majors, although students from other majors may participate. The performance is designed specifically for theater and dance students but is open to any Southeast student. The show will include a variety of styles including ballet, modern, tap and jazz. The show will feature solos, duets, trios and groups. The event is free to the public. The performance may contain adult content.

-- From staff reports