Performances for 2016-2017
2016-17, THEM!
UCI Drama's 2016-17 season, THEM!, explores our tendency - both as individuals and as societal groups - to separate and cast blame on "The Other." Through a series of plays and musicals that investigate religious persecution and genocide, the castigation of physical difference, interpersonal alienation, and our xenophobic reaction to other cultures culminating in war, we examine the ways in which we so often look to identify a scapegoat rather than find mutual understanding and acceptance. Present throughout the plays of the season we hear the voices of "them."
2016-17 Drama Series Subscription Package
September 19, 2016
Seven plays for just $52-96 per person! 2016-17 Drama Season THEM! Daniel Gary Busby, Artistic Director UCI Drama’s 2016 – 17 season, THEM!, explores our tendency – both as individuals and as societal groups – to separate and cast blame on “The Other.” Through a series of plays and musicals that investigate religious persecution and genocide, the castigation of physical difference, interpersonal alienation, and our xenophobic reaction to other cultures culminating in war, we examine the ways in which we so often look to identify a scapegoat rather than find mutual understanding and acceptance. Present throughout the plays of the season, we hear the voices of “them.” THE ILIAD: MENIN (RAGE) Written by Homer with translation by Stephen Mitchell Annie Loui, Director and... more
The Iliad: Menin (Rage)
October 13, 2016 - October 16, 2016
THEM! Drama Series The Iliad: Menin (Rage) Written by Homer with translation by Stephen Mitchell Annie Loui, Director and Choreographer October 13 – 16, 2016 Winifred Smith Hall This dramatic movement piece is constructed in the style of CounterBalance Theatre, in which actors play multiple characters, as well as animals and architecture. Physical depictions of gods, monsters and nature personified are embodied by the ensemble of performers who play multiple speaking parts and all of the movement roles. Taking place ten years into the Trojan War, this is a story about reputation and honor, and how they create the ultimate THEM and US: a world in which friends and allies become enemies, and even the immortals come down to earth to take sides.... more
Trevor School Open House 2016
October 27, 2016 - October 27, 2016
Trevor School Open House October 27, 2016 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm All Arts Campus Celebrate the Arts and Trevor School with our annual open house! The event is a rich palette of performances which showcase the talents of our students and faculty. Art exhibitions, musical concerts, dance performances, dress rehearsals and more take place in various Trevor School venues. Get a behind the scenes look at the productions as you tour practice and performance spaces. Join us for an evening of food and festivities throughout our Arts campus! This event is open to all our season patrons as well as the general public. Free admission. Public is welcome. Full Schedule 5:30-6:00 pm: Limon Repertory, Dance Studio 128 (DS 128) 5:30-6:30 pm: Hip Hop, Dance Studio 128 (DS... more
Parade
November 12, 2016 - November 20, 2016
THEM! Drama Series Parade Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown Book by Alfred Uhry Myrona DeLaney, Director Andrew Palermo, Choreographer Daniel Gary Busby, Music Director November 12 – 20, 2016 Irvine Barclay Theatre Parade tells the heart-wrenching, true story of Leo Frank: a Brooklyn-raised Jewish man living in Atlanta who was convicted of the rape and murder of his thirteen-year-old employee, Mary Phagan, in 1913. Because Frank’s trial was replete with faulty testimony and lacked any clear evidence, Georgia’s governor eventually commuted his sentence from death to life imprisonment. Despite this ruling, a lynch mob hanged Frank in Mary Phagan’s hometown of Marietta, Georgia. The momentous case drew national attention to Anti-Semitism, and was... more
Our Class
December 1, 2016 - December 4, 2016
THEM! Drama Series Our Class Written by Tadeusz Słobodzianek Jane Page, Director December 1 – 4, 2016 Experimental Media Performance Lab (xMPL) Our Class tells the story of a group of Polish and Jewish classmates beginning in 1925, first examining the atrocities they suffer as war breaks out in their town and anti-Semitism erupts in a series of rapes, murders, and instances of torture. As we follow the few survivors throughout the remainder of their lives, they attempt to reckon with the past, trying in retrospect to make sense of seemingly senseless events. At its core this is a universal tale of collective blame, inexplicable history, and the dangers of xenophobic group think leading to the scapegoating of entire populations. Performances: Evenings: ... more
Coriolanus
February 4, 2017 - February 12, 2017
THEM! Drama Series Coriolanus Written by William Shakespeare Paul Cook, MFA Directing Candidate February 4 – 12, 2017 Claire Trevor Theatre Coriolanus is based on the life of legendary Roman leader Caius Marcius Coriolanus. After military success against various uprisings which challenged the government of Rome, Coriolanus becomes active in politics and seeks political leadership. His temperament is unsuited for popular leadership and he is quickly deposed, whereupon he aligns himself to set matters straight according to his own will; as it turns out, the alliances he forges to accomplish his own will result in his ultimate downfall and death. This is an examination of the personal alienation required by politics and war, and the ways in which our own actions... more
The Man Who Killed the Cure
February 25, 2017 - March 5, 2017
The Man Who Killed the Cure Written by Luke Yankee Don Hill, Director Featuring guest artists Robin Buck and Noah Wagner February 25 –March 5, 2017 Robert Cohen Theatre The Man Who Killed the Cure is a world premiere of the controversial new play inspired by the work of Dr. Max Gerson, one of the fathers of natural healing. When Dr. Gerson discovers an all-natural cure for cancer in the 1950s, a rival doctor, a big pharmaceutical company, and the American Medical Association will do anything in their power to stop him. Performances: Evenings: Feb. 25, Mar. 2, 3, 4 @ 8 p.m. Evening: Mar. 1 @ 7:30 p.m. Matinee: Feb. 26*, Mar. 4, 5 @ 2 p.m. *Ticketholders: Please join us for a post-performance TalkBack with the creative team and cast. Free... more
Clown Aliens
March 11, 2017 - March 19, 2017
THEM! Drama Series Clown Aliens Written and Directed by Eli Simon Composer and Sound Designer: Vincent Olivieri March 11 – 19, 2017 Claire Trevor Theatre ' Read the Press Release Clown Aliens is a collaborative production created in 2013, when it was commissioned by the National Theater of Romania as the second installment of the Simon/Olivieri War of the Clowns saga. The story follows a family of clowns who leave their home on Clown Planet and become inhabitants of Earth, encountering the same hatred and bigotry that many outsiders face when trying to fit into contemporary American life. Clown Aliens explores the trials and tribulations of assimilation, and how strangers in a strange land desperately hold onto their heritage and family ties. This piece... more
Longitude
March 16, 2017 - March 18, 2017
Counter-Balance Theater Presents Longitude Adapted and Directed by Annie Loui Based on the New York Times best seller by Dava Sobel Music by Mark Caspary with Thomas Varga, Kayla Kearney, Megan Gainey, Nick Manfredi, Alex Raby & Xander Ritchey March 16 – 18, 2017 Experimental Media Performance Lab (xMPL) A devised physical theatre production exploring invention, engineering & obsession in the 18th century. LONGITUDE is a devised theater performance about 18th century inventor/clockmaker John Harrison, and his entry into the most important race of the century; to discover a means of measuring longitude. This physical and mesmerizing production features 6 physical actors who portray all the characters in the story, from Galileo to King George III to The... more
What Matters to Me and Why: Daniel Gary Busby
April 12, 2017 - April 12, 2017
What Matters to Me and Why VALUES - BELIEFS - MOTIVATIONS Personal Journeys: Choices made, difficulties encountered, commitments grasped and joys revealed. Faculty and Staff Series Daniel Gary Busby, Chair of the Deprtment of Drama Wednesday, April 12, 2017 Noon - 1:00 p.m. (check-in and lunch start at 11:40 a.m.) Humanities Gateway, Room 1030 Offered since 2012, this informal lunchtime series is designed to build and strengthen bonds between people who teach, learn and work together daily, and to foster understanding of how each of us embraces the UCI values. Seating is limited. A simple lunch is served. Daniel Gary Busby has served as chair and producing artistic director of the drama department in the Claire Trevor School of Arts since 2013,... more
“AS ONE” – an exploration of gender identity through the arts
April 15, 2017
“AS ONE” – an exploration of gender identity through the arts Saturday, April 15, 2017 12:00 – 2:30 p.m. Free event, open to the public. (Registration/reservations are required) Winifred Smith Hall (UCI Arts Plaza): 12:00 p.m. Performance of the libretto “As One” 12:45 p.m. Panel Discussion Beall Center for Art and Technology (UCI Arts Plaza): 1:30 p.m. Reception and tour of art exhibit “Masculine ←→Feminine” Event produced and directed by Robin Buck, Professor of Drama in the Department of Drama "As One" is an opera about identity, authenticity and compassion. Like... more
I Dream of Chang and Eng
April 29, 2017 - May 7, 2017
THEM! Drama Series I Dream of Chang and Eng Written by Philip Kan Gotanda Ricardo Rocha, Director April 29 – May 7, 2017 Robert Cohen Theatre I Dream of Chang and Eng tells the story of Chang and Eng Bunker, the original “Siamese twins,” whose early lives were spent touring in a 'freak' exhibition. Charismatic and canny, they bought out their contract and toured themselves around the world, advising the king of Siam and carousing with English aristocracy before settling down on a Southern plantation, marrying sisters and fathering 21 children between them. This is the story of two people who were singled out as “freaks” by conventional society, but got the last laugh as they ultimately used this classification to their own gain. Performances: Evenings:... more
Arts Renaissance
May 1, 2017 - May 31, 2017
Arts Renaissance A Celebration of the Arts at UCI May 1 - 31, 2017 The Trevor School celebrates “Arts Renaissance” during the month of May with a surge of performances and exhibitions across all four departments including Art, Dance, Drama, and Music. The celebration features a series of art performances and shows ranging from professional and student art exhibitions in all four campus art galleries to several dance, drama, and music performances. CTSA presents the first ever UCI Music Showcase Concert, the three-act opera Our Town, based on the Thornton Wilder play, a four-day improv festival, to Hossein Omoumi and Friends in concert, and much more. Please join us for a celebration of the Arts! To purchase tickets, by phone: Arts Box Office (949) 824-2787; Online: www.arts.uci.... more
Coup de Comedy Festival 2017
May 10, 2017 - May 13, 2017
Coup de Comedy Festival 2017 May 10-13, 2017 FREE and Open to the Public. For reservations and calendar updates go to: Coup de Comedy website Global Improvisation Initiative website iRev’s Facebook Page Festival registration site Symposium full-day registration site A celebration of improvisation and comedy brought to you by iRev, an improvisational ensemble composed of undergraduate students from UC Irvine’s Claire Trevor School of the Arts! This epic 4-day festival brings the best shows, panels, and workshops to the UC Irvine campus and community for FREE. This year’s festival will take place in the Little Theatre, Nixon Theatre, Winifred Smith Hall, Experimental Media Performance Lab (xMPL), Claire Trevor Theatre, and other workshop spaces at CTSA. iRev is... more
Avenue Q
June 3, 2017 - June 10, 2017
THEM! Drama Series Avenue Q Music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx Book by Jeff Whitty Don Hill, Director Dennis Castellano, Music Director June 3 – 10, 2017 Claire Trevor Theatre Avenue Q is an "autobiographical and biographical" coming-of-age parable, addressing and satirizing the issues and anxieties associated with entering adulthood. Its characters lament that as children they were assured by their parents, and by children's television programs such as PBS's Sesame Street, that they were "special" and "could do anything." As adults, however, they have discovered (to their surprise and dismay) that in the real world options are limited, and even their defining qualities render them no more "special" than anyone else. Read the REVIEW from... more
The Tempest
July 6, 2017 - September 2, 2017
The Tempest New Swan Shakespeare Festival "How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world, That has such people in’t!" July 6 - September 2, 2017 Eli Simon, Artistic Director Visit the website for information: New Swan Shakespeare Festival
The Taming of the Shrew
July 7, 2017 - September 1, 2017
The Taming of the Shrew New Swan Shakespeare Festival "If I be waspish, best beware my sting!" July 7 - September 1, 2017 Beth Lopes, Associate Artistic Director Visit the website for information: New Swan Shakespeare Festival
2017 Summer Academy in Drama
July 31, 2017 - August 11, 2017
New Swan Apprenticeship in Acting for Theatre July 31 - August 11, 2017 Monday - Friday 9:00am - 4:00pm Ages 14-19 Experience the one-of-a-kind New Swan Shakespeare Festival! Train in acting for theatre and audition preparation through coursework including voice, movement, improv and more. Students will work alongside actors from our New Swan Shakespeare Festival and esteemed UCI faculty as they participate in sessions that reflect the coursework taught to our undergraduate drama majors. Material will focus on Shakespeare and contemporary performance, as well as voice and movement. Additional studio and classroom-based sessions will also be offered that help students prepare for the collegiate and professional world. Some... more
Shakespeare's Fool
August 21, 2017
Shakespeare's Fool New Swan Shakespeare Festival Monday, August 21, 2017 8:00 p.m. There are many songs in the plays of William Shakespeare – the lyrics have survived, but the melodies are lost to time. Jason Feddy has written fresh, modern tunes for most of The Bard’s greatest hits. Performed by Feddy’s energetic, acoustic guitar driven trio, along with world class actors, Shakespeare’s words come to life for today’s audiences. Presented alongside speeches from the Bard’s canon of treasures, this eclectic show is a moving journey through some of Shakespeare’s most glorious language. Scholars and skeptics will enjoy this quick-paced, entertaining show. Visit the website for information: New Swan Shakespeare Festival
