Generating buzz: Southeast aims for widespread appeal in next theater and dance season

As the 2005-2006 Theatre and Dance season rolls on for Southeast Missouri State University, the Department of Theatre and Dance has already announced its offerings for next season.

The upcoming season stands in contrast to some of this season's offerings, with productions that the university hopes will offer more widespread appeal.

Next season will feature big-name productions like "A Streetcar Named Desire," "Noises Off" and "42nd Street."

Those choices, said department chair Dr. Kenn Stilson, are meant to satisfy the department's two primary goals -- promoting learning and serving the needs of the local audience.

"Sometimes these two goals are more compatible than at other times," said Stilson. "With the upcoming season, we have found a very good mix. With the current season, we also have a good mix, but it's darker in tone."

'Romeo and Juliet' popular

So far the current season has featured some productions that weren't as accessible to local audiences -- the Greek tragedy "Trojan Women" and the intellectual comedy "Art." The season has also featured the popular Fall Dance Concert.

Other productions on tap for the spring include Aaron Copland's American opera "The Tender Land" and the Shakespeare classic "Romeo and Juliet," which Stilson thinks will be a big draw. Another dance concert is also in the works for the spring semester.

Stilson said Copland's opera will have its niche audience, but that "Romeo and Juliet" is already selling a lot of tickets.

Announcing the theater season early this year (the public announcement for the current season came in the summer) isn't meant to overshadow the upcoming 2005 shows, said Stilson. The productions are always determined this early, but this year the department wanted to get a jump on getting the word out, Stilson said.

Players change plans

Before the season was announced, the local community theater group the River City Players had its eyes on two of the productions, "Streetcar" and "Noises Off." But the Players have now accommodated the university, changing their upcoming season to avoid repeats.

"It's a wonderful problem to have, that so many of the schools and community theater groups are selecting such wonderful productions at the same time," said Roseanna Whitlow, a member of the Players.

Last spring Notre Dame Regional High School put on its own production of "42nd Street."

Stilson said the 2006-2007 season shows should generate a lot of buzz and carry on some great momentum into the next season, which will likely take place at the River Campus. One of the final shows in Rose Theatre will be "42nd Street," a musical extravaganza that will once again make use the talent of new faculty member Judith Farris, as did the popular "Guys and Dolls" last year.

Going for the triple threat

Musicals always seem to draw in the big crowds, and the department is aware of that, said Stilson. But they also school students to be what Stilson calls "triple threats," students proficient in dance, singing and acting.

And with a new focus on trying to set up a degree in musical theater, Stilson hopes the department and its musicals will create more triple threats.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182