From: Jonathon Crider [mailto:jcrider@arizonatheatre.org]
Sent: Monday, October 25, 2010 10:12 AM
To: 'Jonathon Crider'
Subject: Press Release Power 2K10
THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA STUDIO SERIES PRESENTS
POWER 2K10, AN ORIGINAL WORK ADDRESSING TOPICS
ON SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
In the Studio Series’ inauguration, university students conceived, developed
and produced this intriguing and inventive theatrical experience
During the mid-30s, the Federal Theatre Project produced a series of Living Newspaper performances that gave
spectators a way to understand the complicated political debates and economic circumstances making the daily
headlines. Power 2K10 will help today's consumers understand the basic concepts of green energy and the
politics surrounding sustainability. The performance, comprised of a series of scenes, draws from the Living
Newspaper's tradition of cultural criticism through comedy and satire.
Using the 1937 Federal Theatre Project’s production of Power as a model, students from the University of
Arizona’s School of Theatre, Film and Television have created a piece of theatre that addresses the current local
and national dialogues around sustainable energy. Both written and directed by the students, the production
explores the process of developing original work that is relevant to the University population as well as Tucson
audiences at large. Power 2K10 attempts to keep the tradition of socially engaging theatre alive by using the
Living Newspaper format of the 1930’s. This innovative experience will strive to inspire the local community
to make a contribution toward sustaining the health of our planet. Power 2K10 plays in Tucson in the Harold
Dixon Directing Studio in the Drama Building on the University of Arizona Campus, 1031 N. Olive Rd at the
southeast corner of Park Avenue and Speedway Boulevard from November 18 through 21.
In the wake of the media’s frenzied current dialogues around green energy and sustainability, the creators of
Power 2K10 realized the need to be better informed on these topics. Using their diverse individual expertise in
the art form, these university theatre students will present their findings with the local audience in hopes of
encouraging them to think critically about these issues. Power 2K10 will be a tool for staging this
contemporary dialogue, a demonstration of the belief that theatre can help illuminate ideas that currently seem
trapped and overly complicated within a heated, rancorous partisan debate. Power 2K10, ideally, will deepen
the community’s understanding about the basic concepts of sustainability and green energy so that we all can
participate in a community discussion about these same issues. Equipped with a broader scope of
understanding of these complex subjects we will all become further empowered to make more sustainable
choices in our daily lives. For additional information on the project, contact Dr. Christin Essin at 520.621.8756
or essin@email.arizona.edu.
Power 2K10 will be directed by Rachel Lacy, senior BA student. Rachel is majoring in both Theatre Studies
and French. This is her directing premiere after assistant directing ART’s production of Violet in the spring of
2010. She would like to thank her family, Dr. Essin, Dr. Cole, Dr. McKean and Betsy Kruse-Craig for
encouraging her to experiment with theatre directing and for enabling her recent discoveries along the way.
The writers of Power 2K10 include Daniel Thomson (co-writer), a double major in Theatre, Film and
Television with his emphases in Theatre History and Producing. This is the first play for which he has written
and collaborated. He would like to thank his family and Dr. Chrisin Essin for their constant support and
encouragement. Jenny Wise (co-writer) is a senior studying Media Arts in Producing with a minor in Theatre
Arts. She co-directs the Charles Darwin Experience, the University of Arizona's only all-short form
improvisation group and works at the Rogue Theatre as an assistant to the directors. Jenny also recently
completed a semester abroad studying Film and Television at the University of East Anglia in Norwich,
England. This is her writing début.
The cast consists of Shannon Macke (actor/creator) who is in her fourth year at the University of Arizona
majoring in Theatre Arts with a minor in Special Education/Rehab. She is excited to be a part of this
revolutionary process and hopes audience members walk away with a greater understanding of what it means to
be a sustainable Tucson consumer. She says, “One person can make a difference, but together, we can change
the world.” Briana Polland (actor/creator) is a junior at the University as a Theatre Education major and Art
Education minor. She has worked with University of Arizona children's theatre groups, Education Theatre
Company and Stories on Stage. Past credits include Mary in The Children's Hour and Kate in Desperate
Ambrose. She would like to thank Rachel, the cast, crew, writers, and everyone who contributed to the creation
of Power 2K10. Logan Smith (actor/creator) never expected to be involved in a show that explores
sustainability, but is looking forward to the collaborative process. Ian Cipra (actor/creator) is a Sophomore
B.A. Theatre Arts major and a Communications minor working on his second Studio Series production. He last
played John Ball Jr and Matthew Miller in In Conflict. Some of his past favorite roles include Sonny in Grease
and Chip in Beauty and the Beast.
Additional creative team members include Sasha Piton (dramaturg) who is a senior at the University of
Arizona double majoring in Voice and Theatre Arts. Some of her favorite roles were for the UA Opera
production of La Perichole, as well as Isabella in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance opera scene. Prior
theatre credits include Summertime, The Most Massive Woman Wins, and The Vagina Monologues. Bette
Midler and her best friend inspire her daily.
Dr. Christin Essin is the faculty adviser and artistic consultant on the project. Dr. Essin is a professor of
theatre history at the School of Theatre, Film and Television at the University of Arizona. She envisioned
Power 2K10 as the inaugural event for the Studio Series based on her archival research at the Library of
Congress into the Living Newspapers of the Federal Theatre Project.
Syvana Bre Elias is the Production Stage Manager and Dylan Page is the Assistant Stage Manager.
The School of Theatre, Film & Television Studio Series is dedicated to supporting original and contemporary
pieces of performance through a ‘bare essentials’ production format that draws primary focus to the artistic and
intellectual labor of theatre students. Its community-centered, people-generated approach to performance
provides creative learning opportunities for student artists, thought provoking experiences for audiences, and
occasions for productive dialogue around topics relevant to student populations and the broader Tucson
community.
Tickets are $7 for all performances and are available at www.arizona.tix.com or by calling the Fine Arts Box
Office at (520) 621-1162. The Fine Arts Box Office is located in the lobby of the Marroney Theatre near the
southeast corner of Park and Speedway. A 15-minute parking validation is available for walkup customers to
the Park Avenue Garage.
Bruce Brockman, Director Bobbi McKean, Associate Director
School of Theatre, Film and Television
1025 N Olive Rd, Drama Bldg, Rm 239
Tucson, AZ 85721-0003
phone: 520.621.7008 fax: 520.621.2412
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