Student play takes humorous look at complications of success


Thu, 01/26/2017

author

Heather Anderson

LAWRENCE — Four young writers enroll in a course and find their talents, relationships and realities pushed to their limits by a washed-up, international literary guru. Directed and produced by the Jayhawk Initiative for Student Theatre, “Seminar” explores student and instructor interactions and the ethics of success.

“Seminar” opens Feb. 9. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9-11 and 2:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at the William Inge Memorial Theatre in Murphy Hall.

“It seems like a simple concept for a play, but the intricacies between the characters and the relationships that form over the course of the seminar are what makes it so interesting – and legitimately funny,” said Drew Hafling, Topeka junior, director.

Under the mentorship of University Theatre, “Seminar” is created by KU theatre students – actors, director, crew and designers. The Jayhawk Initiative for Student Theatre is a student organization that works collaboratively with the KU Theatre and Jayhawk community to create and experience innovative theatre.

“‘Seminar’ has given me the opportunity to really explore my directing style and experience all of the responsibility that a director must take on,” Hafling said. “It’s been amazing to work with my fellow students and see the show take shape from the very start.”

The company includes Christian Boudreaux, Rose Hill junior, as Douglas; Elsa Bernauer, Leawood freshman, as Kate; Jake Gillespie, Paola freshman, as Leonard; Hannah Finch, Round Lake, Illinois, sophomore, as Izzy; Garrett Claud, San Clemente, California, freshman, as Martin; Emily Hunsucker, Boca Raton, Florida, freshman, stage manager; Abbey Lynn Smith, Altamont junior, lighting designer; Jake Dutton, Wichita senior, scenic designer, and Kate Smeltzer, Prairie Village senior, costume designer.

Tickets for “Seminar” are on sale at KU ticket offices and online at www.kutheatre.com. Tickets are also available by calling the University Theatre, (785) 864-3982, and the Lied Center, (785) 864-ARTS. Tickets are $15 for adults, $14 for senior citizens and KU faculty and staff, and $10 for children. KU student tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

The Department of Theatre is one of four departments in the School of the Arts. As part of the KU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the School of the Arts offers fresh possibilities for collaboration between the arts and the humanities, sciences, social sciences, international and interdisciplinary studies.

For more information on the Department of Theatre visit www.theatre.ku.edu. For more information on the University Theatre, visit www.KUTheatre.com. Follow KU Theatre on Twitter and Facebook.

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Thu, 01/26/2017

author

Heather Anderson

Media Contacts

Heather Anderson

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

785-864-3667