UNCA Drama Department and Theatre UNCA Announce 2000-01 Season

Theatre UNCA’s 2000-01 season will offer four exciting plays starting with a production of Shakespeare’s "Macbeth" Sept. 28-Oct. 1 and Oct. 5-8.

Directed by UNCA acting professor Kristin Kundert-Gibbs, this Theatre UNCA production of "Macbeth" is set in a futuristic world where a group of witches re-enact the story of "Macbeth" in an attempt to break a cycle of violence. Sarah Almond plays Macbeth and Wendy Kussrow plays Lady Macbeth in this revisioning of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy. Performances will be at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday with a 2 p.m. matinee each Sunday.

"Macbeth" will be performed at the Carol Belk Theatre. Tickets are $9 general admission, $7 senior citizens and $5 students. Because of the intimate size of UNCA’s Carol Belk Theatre and often heavy demand for tickets, advance purchase is strongly advised. Tickets may be purchased by phone with Visa or MasterCard by calling 828/232-2291 between 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. weekdays.

The UNCA chapter of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology will create its fourth annual Haunted Theatre Oct. 26-31. The popular event, which converts Carol Belk Theatre into a house of horrors and drama students into ghouls, is a fund raiser to support the student group. A special "lights on" tour for young children will be offered beginning at 6:30 p.m. Spooky adult tours run 7:30-10 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 children and are available at the door.

The season continues Nov. 16-19 with "Selkie" by Laurie Brooks. This staging is a magical telling of Scottish legend of seals who once a year come on land, remove their skins and become beautiful women. This Tanglewood Children’s Theatre production will be lead by guest director Olivia Wood , head of the Asheville Healing Theatre.

August Strindberg’s "Miss Julie" will be performed Feb. 22-25. Directed by UNCA acting professor Laura Facciponti, "Miss Julie" examines the violent clash that results from a midsummer night’s affair between an upper class lady and her servant.

The final performance of the season will be Philip King’s "See How They Run." This farcical romp includes mistaken identities, a Russian spy, and a houseful of ministers. The production is directed by UNCA Drama Department Chair and Assistant Professor Scott Walters and runs April 19-22.

For more information, contact the UNCA Drama Department, 828/251-6610.

Media Contacts:

• Dr. Scott Walters, UNCA Drama Department Chair, 828/251-6650
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information assistant, 828/251-6526