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UNSTUCK, Created and Concevied by Meryl Sands '13

UNSTUCK is a new story about memory, creation, and the reality of loss. Inspired by the works of Jorge Luis Borges, Salman Rushdie, David Mazzucchelli, and more, this is a collaboratively crafted tale of magical thinking collapsed into stark magical realism. Shadows dance around an artist and his sister as they push the boundaries of what makes our world physical. Created and Conceived by Meryl Sands '13 with Christina Aruffo ‘14, Sam Swift Shuker-Haines ‘14, Ben “Books” Schwartz ‘13, Joshua McLucas ‘15, and Amelia Dornbush ‘15.

May 3, 2013

Photos: 23

BURN THIS by Lanford Wilson

Jeannette Leopold's Honors Directing Thesis featuring Lanford Wilson's BURN THIS is a shocking and beautiful story of grief and love. As the play opens, Anna (Anita Castillo-Halvorssen '15) and Larry (Patrick Ross '15) have just returned from the funeral of their best friend and roommate, Robbie. Anna struggles with her grief and tries to find solace in her passionless relationship with boyfriend Burton (Daniel Cho '15). When Robbie's brother Pale (Alexander Rojavin '15) bursts into Anna and Larry's apartment in the middle of the night, everything changes. BURN THIS shows four people fighting to stay afloat through loss, and through death, and leaves you holding a flame of hope. BURN THIS is presented by special arrangement with Dramatist's Play Service, Inc., New York.

Apr 19, 2013

Photos: 26

THREE SISTERS By Anton Chekhov, Tranlated by Paul Schmidt

Richard Hamburger's modern take on this popular classic brings a new twist to this story about the decline of the privileged class in tumultuous turn of the century Russia. The play's action brings alive the intimate details and aspirations of a cultured family of three sisters and one brother who move from urban Moscow to a small provincial town and search for meaning in modernity as they struggle with their isolated existence. The meaning of life, of course, never presents itself, and the symbolic representation of their happiness, Moscow, never materializes. Presented by special arrangement with Helen Merrill, LLC.

Apr 8, 2013

Photos: 47

THE MAIDS by Jean Genet, Translated by Bernard Frachtman

Jean Genet (1910 - 1986) was a noted French author, playwright, and political activist. Genet believed in theater as an incendiary event and his plays reflect themes that ignore traditional plot and character psychology. Many of his works rely on ritual, transformation, illusion and interchangeable identities. Very loosely based on a true story of two maids who brutally murdered their employers, THE MAIDS takes us on a journey where role playing and reality dangerously melt together. The two sisters in the story are too intimate with each other, too close and only survive their lives in service by playing at becoming their mistress. Working for their glamorous and mysterious employer known as Madame, social oppression, sisterhood, enslavement, and sexual deprivation imprison these two minds in a dark game where nobody wins. The elaborate interchange leads the two sisters towards a neverending morbid fantasy and all that remains is the floating red train of Madame's elegant dress...

Mar 1, 2013

Photos: 31

The Cosmonaut's Last Message To the Woman He Once Loved in the Former Soviet Union

The Department of Theater presents an amateur production of David Greig's THE COSMONAUT'S LAST MESSAGE TO THE WOMAN HE ONCE LOVED IN THE FORMER SOVIET UNION. A forgotten cosmonaut and the daughter he left behind. A polite stranger in a suit. A failing marriage. Cosmonaut is an epic journey littered with televisions, airports, tape recorders, strip clubs, and a visit to Norway. Directed by Meryl Sands and Sebastian Bravo Montenegro. The 2013 Senior Company ensemble includes: Jeannette Leopold, Kari Olmon, Vianca Masucci, Sophia Naylor, Sebastian Bravo Montenegro, and Meryl Sands. Stage Managing by Emily Melnick, Scenic Design by Eric Verhasselt, Media Design by Fernando Maldonado, Props Design by Katie Goldman, Costume Design by Laila Swanson, Lighting Design by James Murphy, and Sound Design by Adam Riggar.

Dec 7, 2012

Photos: 30

All-One!

Written by Sophia Naylor '13. Directed by Jill Harrison with dramaturgy by James Magruder In Sophia Naylor's honors playwriting thesis project, a young heroine called Kate has returned with two friends to the rolling green hills of Ireland where she first realized she saw what others didn't see: a world colored by synesthesia (the crossing of senses). Meanwhile, the ancient fairies living underneath Kate's hovel struggle to keep the earth, battered by its human population, from tearing itself apart at the seams. In the face of destruction and disorder on a grand scale, Kate and the fairies strive to at least be remembered for their attempt to keep back entropy.

Nov 16, 2012

Photos: 1

The Intense Fragility

Adapted from the diary of Vaslav Nijinsky & the theater of Tennessee Williams by Kari Oldman '13 (Honors Thesis in Dramaturgy). Directed by Walter Bilderback with Sam Swift Shuker-Haines '14, Kassandra Sparks '15, Danica Harvey '15, Meryl Sands '13, Zack Martin '13, Katie Goldman '14. A play about desire, madness, and the legacy of art in an imagined an encounter outside the slipstream of history between Vaslav Nijinsky and Rose Williams (Tennessee Williams' younger sister). In 1936 St. Louis, Rose Williams - beloved sister to renowned playwright Tennessee Williams - discovers Nijinsky's diary and dreams of escaping into his world. Separated by every possible spatial, temporal, and social barrier, the virtuosic dancer and the secluded sister have one thing in common: both are suspected of a peculiar and precocious dementia that terrifies and repulses their families who will do anything - anything - to contain them.

Nov 9, 2012

Photos: 1

Fireside Tales: Legends and Lore from the Forgetten Wilderness

The Department of Theater at Swarthmore College presented Jessica Cannizzaro’s Honors Dramaturgy Thesis, FIRESIDE TALES: LEGENDS AND LORE OF THE FORGOTTEN WILDERNESS on May 1 and May 2 at 7PM in the Frear Ensemble Theater. The play takes place in the main room of the Evanston Public Library in Illinois, just before the library is torn down by the city. A motley group of citizens has gathered to see the library and its many stories, the staples of their community, one more time before they are gone forever. The play is an exploration of storytelling, and the many ways our stories change across state, across time, and across culture. In every instance, storytelling becomes not just about the words being shared. It is the way we link a smell of turkey cooking in the oven to the story of a family dinner in 1997. It is the feeling of cold feet under warm quilts as you await a new bedtime story.

May 1, 2012

Photos: 1

American Buffalo

David Mamet is best known as a playwright, but has received Oscar nominations for his screenplays, directed films, taught acting and written several books. Mamet’s 1975 play premiered at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago and opened on Broadway in 1977. Don, Teach, Bob, and the mysterious Fletcher, conspire to steal a priceless coin collection from a well-to-do man. The plot takes place in Don’s junk shop and the conspiracy centers around a rare nickel. Told with Mamet’s typical vernacular of vulgarity, the characters attack their environment, both literally and with lexicon, until the final events leave the audience pondering over the nature of good and evil, two sides of the same coin. Director Alex Torra is a Philadelphia-based director and performer whose work focuses on ensemble-generated, original performance and contemporary interpretations of classics.

Apr 21, 2012

Photos: 20

The Baltimore Waltz

Sex! Intrigue! Stuffed bunnies! Written by Paula Vogel in 1988 just after her own brother’s death, the play is a farcical envisioning of Anna, a thirty-something spinster and grade school teacher, and her brother Carl’s trip to Europe after one of them gets diagnosed with an incurable illness. They, along with Carl’s childhood toy named Bunny, try to make the most of their vacation, even when a sinister Third Man enters the picture. Part homage to Vogel’s brother, part social commentary, part innuendo, the text is a series of connected and usually comedic vignettes through an imaginative tour of a stereotyped European countryside. Will the doctor in Vienna have answers for them? Or is he just in it for the urine samples? Will Anna ever satiate her lust? And what are Carl and the mysterious Third Man doing with those bunnies?

Mar 30, 2012

Photos: 31

Ivona, Princess of Burgundia

The play is a dark, grotesque and very funny fairy tale about a kingdom that is reduced to absurdity by a passive, unappealing heroine. The appalling Ivona manages to expose everyone’s most shameful secrets without doing a thing. Written in 1938 by renowned Polish playwright, author and philosopher Witold Gombrowicz, the play is a classic of the Polish repertoire.

Mar 23, 2012

Photos: 54

The House of Widows

Written and performed by Lori Barkin '12 for her Honors Thesis in Solo Performance.

Feb 17, 2012

Photos: 12

Fefu and Her Friends

Featuring Ryane Disken-Cahill '12, Michelle Fennell '12, Lori Barkin ‘12, Katie Goldman ‘14, Maddie Charne ‘14, Elliana Bisgaard-Church ‘13, Hannah Kosman ‘14 and Jessica Cannizzaro '12 with sets and costumes by Professor Laila Swanson. The faculty advisor for this production is Professor K. Elizabeth Stevens.

Dec 1, 2011

Photos: 25

Happy?

Written by Josh Lipman '11. Directed by guest artist Rebecca Wright. Sound design by Louis Jargow '10, Stage Managed by Julia Cooper '12. With Harry Apostoleris '12, Sebastian Bravo '13, Ryane Disken-Cahill '12, Ben Ellentuck '14, Zach Martin '13, Genevieve McGahey '12, Miriam Rich '11, and Elliot Weiser '13.

May 2, 2011

Photos: 1

Lysistrata

Directed by Eva Amessé '11 with Lori Barkin '12 (Lysistrata),Vianca Masucci '13 (Kalonike), Sara Lipshutz '11 (Myrrhine), Anna Ramos '13 (Lampito), Elliana Bisgaard-Church '13 (Nikodike), Erica Evans '11 (Stratyllis), Chris Klaniecki '10 (Koryphaios), Nemo Swift '11 (Commissioner), Nolan Gear '12 (Kinesias), Peter Liebenson '11 (Philurgos/Spartan Herald), and Gerardo Limón '14 (Strymodoros/Spartan Ambassador). Vocal coaching by Adrienne Mackey '04, lighting design by Jacob Gilbert '12 (Haverford) and costume design by Rachel Branker '12. Hannah Gotwals '12, stage manager.

Apr 29, 2011

Photos: 33

Directing Workshop II Night of Scenes 2011: Swarthmore Follies

Apr 16, 2011

Photos: 22

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Adapted by Isa St. Clair '11. Directed by Rebecca Wright, with Eva Amessé '11 (Ninon), Nell Bang-Jensen '11 (Rosette), Jessica Cannizzaro '12 (Theodore/Mademoiselle), Nolan Gear '12 (Nolan Gear) and Ben Hattem '12 (Silvio).

Apr 1, 2011

Photos: 1

Farfetched Fables

Mar 25, 2011

Photos: 48

Three Tall Women

Feb 25, 2011

Photos: 24

Metamorphoses

Senior Company 2011

Dec 3, 2010

Photos: 24

The Yes Men

Cooper Series: The Yes Men

Oct 7, 2010

Photos: 12

[Expletive Deleted]: Night of Scenes II 2010

May 5, 2010

Photos: 1

The Cure at Troy

Apr 30, 2010

Photos: 32

Bodas de sangre (Blood Wedding)

Apr 16, 2010

Photos: 39

Divided Together: Hayavadana

Mar 26, 2010

Photos: 35

An Oresteia

Feb 26-28, 2010

Feb 26, 2010

Photos: 32

The Island

Feb 12-14, 2010

Feb 12, 2010

Photos: 20

Eats Shoots and Ladder

Jan 29, 2010

Photos: 1

Nights of Scenes Fall 2009

Dec 9, 2009

Photos: 1

Melancholy Play

Dec 3, 2009

Photos: 19

The Theaters of Witold Gombrowicz and Michal Zadara

Sep 7, 2009

Photos: 6

Night of Scenes II Spring 2009

May 5, 2009

Photos: 1

Macbeth

May 1, 2009

Photos: 24

Romeo and Juliet

Apr 17, 2009

Photos: 21

Pericles

Mar 27, 2009

Photos: 18

The Tempest

Feb 27, 2009

Photos: 18

About Face

Feb 13, 2009

Photos: 14

Nights of Scenes 2008

Dec 10, 2008

Photos: 1

Vinegar Tom

Dec 5, 2008

Photos: 20

Pop Out

Nov 14, 2008

Photos: 19

The Other Shore

Mar 26, 2008

Photos: 21

Old Times

The Swarthmore College Department of Theater presents "Old Times" by Harold Pinter on Fri-Sun, Feb. 29-Mar. 2 at 7 pm, with an additional show on Sat, Mar 1 at 10 pm in the Frear Ensemble Theater (LPAC Rm 1), Lang Performing Arts Center. Directed by Sarah Sanford '99, this production is the acting thesis of Rachel Sugar '08 and also features Stephanie Duncan '08 and Stephen Graf '09. The performances are free and open to the public.

Feb 29, 2008

Photos: 19

INNOCENCE / Unschuld

The Department of Theater at Swarthmore College presents the North American premier of contemporary German playwright Dea Loher's 2003 play INNOCENCE on the weekend of December 7-9, 2007, in the Frear Ensemble Theater in the Lang Performing Arts Center (LPAC). The production uses David Tushingham's translation of Loher's play.

Dec 7, 2007

Photos: 13

BACCHAI

The Department of Theater presents Euripides' BACCHAI, translated by Colin Teevan.

May 4, 2007

Photos: 11

The Fishbowl

The Department of Theater is proud to present the premiere of Anna Belc '07's original play THE FISHBOWL, directed by guest director David Disbrow. This is the Department's first honors thesis production in playwriting.

Apr 13, 2007

Photos: 2

Spring Awakening

The Department of Theater presents Frank Wedekind's controversial modern classic Spring Awakening, translated by Jonathan Franzen and directed by K. Elizabeth Stevens. Re-imagined in a ruined public bathroom, this darkly comic drama depicts matters as profane and sublime as sexual awakening, academic pressure, and the question of religion through the giddy and tempestuous kaleidoscope of adolescence.

Mar 30, 2007

Photos: 12

Days and Nights Within

The Department of Theater presents Senior Company 2007 production of American playwright Ellen McLaughlin's 1984 play, Days and Nights Within.

Dec 8, 2006

Photos: 2

Big Love

Mar 25, 2006

Photos: 23

Mondo Broadway New York Theater and the cult of Celebrity

Mondo Broadway: New York Theater and the Cult of Celebrity, a lecture by Ben Brantley, Class of 1977, Chief Theater Critic of the New York Times.

Oct 21, 2005

Photos: 2

The Persians

The Department of Theatre presents the East-Coast premiere of: Aeschylus' THE PERSIANS. In a modern version by Obie-award winning playwright Robert Auletta

Apr 15, 2005

Photos: 4

Tears of Myrrh

The Department of Theater presents Tears of Myrrh, a senior honors directing thesis by Adrienne Mackey ’04.

May 1, 2004

Photos: 2

A Delicate Balance

The Swarthmore College Department of Theater presents Senior Company 2004’s production of Edward Albee’s Pulitzer-Prize winning A Delicate Balance

Dec 5, 2003

Photos: 20

Insurrection Mass with Funeral March for a Rotten Idea

The Department of Theater is proud to announce the Bread and Puppet Theater in a performance of The Insurrection Mass With Funeral March for a Rotten Idea.

Sep 27, 2003

Photos: 15

The Unknown Want

The Department of Theater presents two original collective creations by the students of Directing II, the Advanced Directing Workshop (THEA 055). A reception with the directors and actors will follow each performance. This event is free and open to the public.

May 6, 2003

Photos: 20

Krapps Last Tape and The War in Heaven

The Department of Theater is proud to present a double bill production of Krapp’s Last Tape, by Samuel Beckett, and The War in Heaven: Angel’s Monologue, collaboratively created by Joseph Chaikin and Sam Shepard, both directed by Kate Nelson-Lee ’03.

Apr 25, 2003

Photos: 13

Ferdydurke

Ferdydurke (2001)

Nov 13, 2001

Photos: 2

Diary of a Daydream

The North American premiere of Diary of a Daydream, performed by the Silesian Dance Theatre. Presented in conjunction with the symposium Dancing History: Poland and Contemporary Dance Theatre.

Nov 2, 2001

Photos: 9

Mythology in Flux

The Department of Theater presents two original collective creations by the students of Directing II, the Advanced Directing Workshop (THEA 055).

May 5, 2001

Photos: 14

Will Night Never Come

The Department of Theater presents an evening of scenes by the students of Directing II, the Directing Workshop (THEA 055). Excerpts from Eccentricities of a Nightingale By Tennesee Williams. Directed by Kiran Rikhye. Featuring Felicia Leicht, Adrienne Mackey, and Steven Salter. Excerpts from Waiting for Godot By Samuel Beckett. Directed by Jon Stancato. Featuring Danielle Kiefert, Felicia Leicht, Jesse Taylor, and Hunter Wells.

Feb 24, 2001

Photos: 11

Ferdydurke (2000)

Feb 26, 2000

Photos: 2

Melody to Plait a Twig

A performance by the Silesian Dance Theatre of Melody to Plait a Twig, and the North American premiere of Notes from a Briefcase: Guava. Reservations required.

Feb 20, 1999

Photos: 3

The Fifth Annual Swarthmore Follies

The Department of Theater presents an evening of farce scenes by the students of Directing II, the Advanced Directing Workshop (THEA 055). Excerpts from Abducting Diana By Dario Fo. Directed by Sarah Sanford. Featuring Tobie Barton and Demetrios Bonaros. Excerpts from Curse of the Starving Class Excerpts from Don Juan Excerpts from Harvey By Mary Chase. Directed by Jerry Melichar. Featuring Matt Howard, Lars Jan, Tim Merkel, Leigh Nolan, John Rieffel, Julia Sable, and Fabien Tepper. Excerpts from Richard III By William Shakespeare. Directed by Michal Zadara. Featuring Aaron Hoffman and Tracy McNeil. Excerpts from Rough for Theatre I By Samuel Beckett. Directed by Gregory Ingber. Featuring Rafael Luna and Ben Williams. Excerpts from The Chairs Excerpts from The Comedy of Errors Excerpts from The Flying Doctor By Moliere. Directed by Andrea Johnson. Featuring Neil DiMaio, Jim Harker, Aisha Hobbs, and Mary Meiklejohn.

Feb 14, 1998

Photos: 2

Night of Scenes (1997)

The Department of Theater presents a matinee and a night of scenes by the students of Directing I, the Directing Workshop (THEA 035).

Nov 22, 1997

Photos: 2

Contemporary Polish Theater Posters

Jan 16, 1996

Photos: 3

Mi-Gui Ying Beseiges Hangchow

Oct 23, 1994

Photos: 3

Sisters Weird and Otherwise

The Department of Theater presents an evening of original collective creations by the students of Directing II, the Advanced Directing Workshop (THEA 055). Deed Directed by Teri Minton. Choreography by Dito van Reigersberg. Featuring Michael Maletic, John Spiegelman, Jeffrey Sugg, and Tara Webb. Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz Asi lo Respondo, y Asi lo Siento/The Worst of Them All. Directed by Maria de Lourdes Mattei. Featuring Irene Pedraza, Mariana Ines Albert, Gabriela M. Gomez Carramo, David M. Hanson, Sara G. Koopman, and Daniel W. Park.

Nov 6, 1992

Photos: 2

Production Posters

Jun 3, 1990

Photos: 109

Thumbnail

May 23, 1989

Photos: 1

Theater Dept.
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