TheatreUNCA to Stage "Hush: An Interview with America;"
Playwright James Still to be in Residency as Dorr Lecturer

James Still

What if a blind child told you that she senses an unexplained presence in her backyard apple tree? This question sets the stage for the TheatreUNCA production of James Still’s “Hush: An Interview with America” February 23-27. Still has been named UNC Asheville’s Dorr Lecturer and will be in residency presenting lectures on campus in conjunction with the show. Events are open to the public.

Still is a renowned playwright who has received numerous awards, including the Charlotte B. Chorpenning Playwright Award for Distinguished Body of Work and the TCG-Pew Charitable Trusts’ National Theatre Artist Grant. Still also writes for children’s television and feature films and has been nominated for two Emmy Awards, the Humanitas Prize and a Television Critics Association Award. One of his most famous plays, “And Then They Came for Me,” is based on Still’s extensive interviews with Holocaust survivors. It has been translated into several languages and has been produced around the world, from Asheville’s Diana Wortham Theatre to a command performance at the House of Commons in London, England. Still is the author of many other plays, including “Looking Over the President’s Shoulder,” “Searching for Eden” and “Amber Waves.” He lives in Venice, Calif. when not in residence at Indiana Repertory Theatre.

“Hush: An Interview with America” is a thought-provoking, often comic play that explores the meaning of faith, media, family and identity. The story centers around 12-year-old Maggie Parks, a blind girl who lives with her father in Hush, Kan. Their lives are transformed when Maggie “sees” a vision and a news-hungry journalist jumps on the story. The nation becomes enthralled by the news and Maggie becomes a symbol of innocence and hope in an increasingly dangerous and corrupt society. Maggie, her family and her community in turn become the victims of a national hysteria and the ensuing commercialism it spawns.

Curtain is 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday with a matinee at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10 general admission, $8 senior citizens and $5 students. Because of the intimate size of UNC Asheville’s Carol Belk Theatre and often heavy demand for tickets, advance purchase is strongly advised. Tickets may be charged by phone after February 17 by calling 828/232-2291 between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays. Tickets are also available at the box office 90 minutes before each curtain and online at www.unca.edu/drama/.

The playwright will hold audience talk-backs after the Saturday and Sunday performances.

Still will also give a talk on “The Play’s the Thing: The Playwright, His Process and His Plays” at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, in UNC Asheville’s Reuter Center. During the talk, Still will examine several of his plays and a staged reading of act one of Still’s “He Held Me Grand” will be presented.

College for Seniors will host a brunch and lecture by Still at 12:15 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, at UNC Asheville’s Reuter Center. Still will discuss his writing process of “Hush: An Interview with America” and Drama Department faculty will discuss producing the play on campus. Cost is $16 and includes brunch, the lecture and admission to the 2 p.m. matinee. Registration is required for this event. Call the N.C. Center for Creative Retirement at 828/251-6140 to sign up.

In addition, Still will give a talk on “Fictional Worlds” at 12:15 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28, in UNC Asheville’s Lipinsky Auditorium. Still will describe how real life informs his work and how the worlds of his scripts touch audiences.

Still’s residency is made possible by a gift from Laurence and Joyce Dorr, UNC Asheville emeriti professors, and James Topp and Paula Grillot as part of the annual Dorr Lecture Series on “Aesthetics: Thinking Beyond Experience.” Laurence served as UNC Asheville vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. Joyce designed, directed and chaired the University’s music program. She taught in the Music Department and in the Arts and Ideas Program. The endowed lecture series seeks to promote philosophical reflection on the arts.

For more information, call UNC Asheville’s Drama Department at 828/251-6610.

Media Contacts:

• Pat Snoyer, UNC Asheville Drama Professor, 828/251-6940
• Jill Yarnall, UNC Asheville Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526