W
elcome to a new season and, in many ways, a new start for theatre
at K-State. The Mark A. Chapman Theatre begins the season with
major upgrades to the theatre’s infrastructure with the installation of a
new lighting system over the summer. I want to thank John Uthoff for his
work in “keeping watch” over many aspects of the lighting work on a
daily basis while these upgrades took place. This year we congratulate two
of our outstanding younger faculty as they assume leadership roles within
the program. Jennifer Vellenga is now serving as program director of
theatre while Ben Stark takes over as managing director. These two vibrant
and passionate professors have many exciting initiatives planned for the
future of K-State theatre. As fall moves into winter we are all keeping our
eyes on the transformation of West Stadium as the new Purple Masque
Theatre is completed. During my 25-year tenure at K-State, never have the
performing arts enjoyed such support from the university’s administration.
A sincere thank you goes out to President Kirk Schulz, Provost April Mason
and Dean Peter Dorhout as they assist the School of Music, Theatre, and
Dance as it develops toward ever-higher levels of excellence! So sit back,
enjoy the diversity and quality of this year’s K-State theatre offerings, and
hold on to your hats as theatre reaches new heights within the “cultural
corridor like no other” at Kansas State University!
Yours in the performing arts,
Gary Mortenson, director
School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
By Christopher Durang
Middle-aged siblings Vanya and Sonia share a home in Bucks County,
Pennsylvania, where they bicker and complain about the circumstances
of their lives. Suddenly, their movie-star sister, Masha, swoops in with her
new boy toy, Spike. Old resentments flare up, eventually leading to threats
to sell the house. Also on the scene are sassy maid Cassandra, who can
predict the future, and a lovely young aspiring actress named Nina, whose
prettiness somewhat worries the imperious Masha. Directed by Jerry Jay
Cranford.
Mark A. Chapman Theatre
7:30 p.m., Oct. 9-11, 16-18
2:30 p.m., Oct. 19
Music by Stephen Sondheim, book by Hugh Wheeler
Sweeney Todd, a 19th century London barber, has been unjustly incarcerated
for 15 years. He returns to London seeking revenge and partners with Mrs.
Lovett, the proprietress of a struggling pie shop. Todd’s thirst for blood
soon expands to include not only the judge responsible for his incarceration,
but also his unfortunate customers. Directed by Charlotte MacFarland.
Mark A. Chapman Theatre
7:30 p.m., Nov. 6-8, 13-15
2:30 p.m., Nov. 16
Join us this holiday season as we present a showcase of exciting dance
styles, including jazz, tap, modern, ballet and African dance. Talented
K-State students will perform original pieces choreographed by faculty.
Mark A. Chapman Theatre
7:30 p.m., Dec. 4-6
By Lachlan Philpott, 2014 Australian Fulbright Scholar
Enjoying the safety of their junkyard town, the people of Bustown happily
wait for The Driver to return. But Axel and Cressida can’t stop thinking
about the Otherness. With a chain of keys in close reach, how long will
they continue to wait? A vibrant exploration of small town life, “Bustown”
questions the desperate move young people make to the city and the
affect it has on the people and places they leave behind. Directed by
Jennifer Vellenga.
Lachlan Philpott joins K-State theatre through Oz to Oz, a faculty
exchange program that brings Australian faculty to Kansas State University.
Watch for events to meet the playwright. A president’s reception is planned
for the Feb. 12 performance.
Mark A. Chapman Theatre
7:30 p.m., Feb. 5-7, 12-14
2:30 p.m., Feb. 15
By Engelbert Humperdinck, libretto by Adelheid Wette,
English translation by Constance Bache
Hansel and Gretel are sent into the woods to gather strawberries after
their mother finds them playing instead of working. They lose their way in
the forest, fall asleep and in the morning they come upon a witch’s gingerbread house. The witch locks up Hansel and forces Gretel to work for her,
but the children trick the witch in this classic tale told in operatic form.
Directed by Dr. Reginald Pittman.
McCain Auditorium
7:30 p.m., March 6-7
2:30 p.m., March 8
Celebrate the arrival of spring with K-State dance as we present an evening
of ballet and modern dance performed by our students. Dance faculty,
student choreographers, and a guest artist will choreograph a variety of
exciting pieces.
McCain Auditorium
7:30 p.m., March 27-28
By George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart
If the Sycamores are mad, the rest of the world is madder. In contrast to
these delightful people are the unhappy Kirbys. Tony, attractive young son
of the Kirby’s, falls in love with Alice Sycamore and brings his parents to
dine at the Sycamore home on the wrong evening. The shock sustained by
the Kirbys shows Alice that marriage with Tony is out of the question. A
guest artist will direct the production.
Mark A. Chapman Theatre
7:30 p.m., April 23-25, April 30-May 2
2:30 p.m., May 3
Our Second Stage season is presented in the Purple Masque Theatre in East
Stadium. The plays are produced, directed, designed and performed by
K-State theatre students.
General admission $7
Senior, military, K-State faculty and staff $6
Students, youth $4
By Marsha Sheiness
Purple Masque Theatre
7:30 p.m., Oct. 2-4
This psychological mystery is set in the waiting room of a clinic where
five mothers await word on the futures of their children. They have been
given the opportunity to change their children into geniuses, and the play
explores the hopes, fears and guilt of each woman. As the drama moves
forward, the very nature of parent-child love is examined. Directed by
Cory Jennett.
Adapted by Craig Lucas from the play by August Strindberg, based on a literal translation by
Anders Canto
Purple Masque Theatre
7:30 p.m., Oct. 23-25
In this new adaptation of Strindberg’s classic drama, mistress of the house,
Miss Julie, and her servant play a dangerous game of seduction in an effort
to relieve themselves of their trapped existences. Using everything in their
arsenals from sex to money, the two battle each other in a struggle for
power and escape. Directed by Fatmah Al-Qadfan.
Ebony Theatre Presents:
By Lynn Nottage
Purple Masque Theatre
7:30 p.m., Feb. 19-21
2:30 p.m., Feb. 22
Lynn Nottage draws upon the screwball films of the 1930s to take a funny
and irreverent look at racial stereotypes in Hollywood. “By The Way,
Meet Vera Stark” is a 70-year journey through the life of Vera Stark, a
headstrong African-American maid and budding actress, and her tangled
relationship with her boss, a white Hollywood star desperately grasping to
hold on to her career. When circumstances collide and both women land
roles in the same Southern epic, the story behind the cameras leaves Vera
with a surprising and controversial legacy scholars will debate for years to
come. Directed by Hannah Miller.
By Jean Paul Sartre, translated by Logan Jones
Purple Masque Theatre
7:30 p.m., April 16-18
Two women and one man are locked up together for eternity in one hideous
room in hell. Here the soul is shorn of secrecy, and even the blackest deeds
are mercilessly exposed to the fierce light of hell. It is an eternal torment.
Join us for this world premiere directed and translated from the original
French by K-State undergraduate Logan Jones.
Theatre and dance faculty and staff
Sally Bailey
David Ollington
Director of graduate studies in theatre
Professor, drama therapy
Associate professor, dance and choreography
Lori Baker
Director of dance program,
Associate professor, dance and choreography
Administrative officer,
School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
Theresa Breymeyer
Julie L. Pentz
Dana Pinkston
Associate professor, costume design
Administrative assistant
School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
Melissa Salvatore
Jerry Jay Cranford
Shannon Skelton
Assistant professor, acting and directing
Laura Donnelly
Assistant professor, dance and choreography
Neil Dunn
Instructor, dance and music
Cindy Friedrich
Administrative assistant,
School of Music, Theatre and Dance
Charlotte MacFarland
Associate professor,
acting and directing, playwriting
George Matthews
Instructor, scene shop foreman
Marci Maullar
Associate professor,
stage and theatre management
Instructor, costume shop manager
Instructor, theatre history
Ben Stark
Managing director of theatre,
Associate professor, technical direction
John Uthoff
Associate professor, lighting design
Jennifer Vellenga
Director of theatre program,
Assistant professor, acting and directing
Kathy Voecks
Head of Design,
Associate professor, scene design
Support the K-State theatre program by making a tax-deductible donation.
Your donation helps fund student scholarships, guest artist visits, and
facility and equipment improvements.
With a gift of $25, supporters will receive:
** Reserved seats in our new general admission seating arrangement*
** Your name in theatre playbills throughout the year
** Your name on display in the Mark A. Chapman Theatre lobby
** Invitations to special events, dinners and receptions
** Invitations to talks by alumni working in the professional theatre
** Invitation to the annual president’s reception, hosted by Kirk and Noel Schulz
on Feb. 12
The Awards Circle: $5,000 and above
Angels: $1,000 to $4,999
Play producers: $500 to $999
Rising stars: $250 to $499
Center stage supporters: $100 to $249
Curtain raisers: $50 to $99
Stage hands: $25 to $49
Please enter your contribution on the ticket order form. To make a donation
online, please visit k-state.edu/theatre and click “support theatre,” or contact
Jennifer Vellenga, program director, at 785-532-6871.
*Supporters’ and subscribers’ reserved seats are released 10 minutes prior to show time if
tickets or seats are unclaimed.
Beginning in fall 2014, K-State Theatre tickets will change to general
admission only (no assigned seats). This is an opportunity for season
subscribers and individual patrons alike to get the best seats for each
dynamic production. As a season subscriber, however, we will reserve
your selected seats until 10 minutes before curtain.
Please indicate which seats you would prefer on the ticket order form or in
person at the box office.
Season subscribers receive a 20 percent discount if tickets are purchased to
all seven productions.
** Lowest ticket price
** No fee assessed for lost/misplaced tickets
** Preferred seating*
** Easy ticket exchange (with 48 hours notice) must present tickets at the time of
exchange, in-person at the box office
As a subscriber, you also will receive notices about preshow dinners,
backstage tours, the annual president’s reception — held on Feb. 12, 2015
— and special events. Additionally, we will assist you with special requests
such as planning group theatre parties, receptions, or recognizing your
group in our lobby.
*Supporters’ and subscribers’ reserved seats are released 10 minutes prior
to show time if tickets or seats are unclaimed.
Ordering Tickets
Purchase tickets online by going to our website, k-state.edu/theatre, or the
McCain Auditorium website, k-state.edu/mccain, starting Sept. 8. There will
be an online fee per ticket.
Four ways to submit your order:
Mail (no fee)
Mail the attached order form and payment to:
Tickets, K-State Theatre
109 McCain Auditorium
Manhattan, KS 66506
Phone ($1.50 fee)
K-State Theatre marketing office 785-532-6878 per ticket)
(subscribers, beginning Aug. 25)
McCain box office 785-532-6428 (single tickets, beginning Sept. 8)
Online ($3 fee
per ticket)
k-state.edu/theatre or k-state.edu/mccain
(beginning Sept. 8)
In person (no fee)
McCain Auditorium box office (beginning Sept. 8)
Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
and 90 minutes before Hansel and Gretel and SpringDance
K-State Union Little Theatre box office
(beginning Sept. 8)
Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mark A. Chapman Theatre box office in
Nichols Hall 90 minutes before each performance
Single ticket prices
General admission - $15
Senior, military, and K-State faculty/staff - $13
Students/youth - $10
Plus applicable fees and taxes
Group discounts
Groups of 10 or more receive a 20 percent discount. For more information
or assistance in planning your party, contact the K-State Theatre marketing
office at 785-532-6878. Group tickets must be purchased at the same time
to be eligible for the discount.
Lost tickets
If tickets are misplaced, the McCain box office will issue replacement
tickets for $2 plus tax per ticket.
Fees and taxes
Prices on the order form do not include applicable sales taxes and fees. The
current rate of sales tax (state and local) is 8.4 percent. The McCain box
office will charge a $2 per ticket facility surcharge for shows performed in
McCain Auditorium (Hansel & Gretel and SpringDance). Tickets bought
by telephone will be assessed a $1.50 plus tax transaction fee per ticket,
and tickets purchased via Internet will be assessed a $3 plus tax transaction
fee. The latest technology is employed to ensure transactions are safe and
secure. Online tickets and tickets purchased by phone must be
purchased using a credit card.
109 McCain Auditorium
Manhattan, KS 66506-4700
4226
Theatre and Dance