MSU Department of Theatre Presents The Bacchae

The MSU Department of Theatre will present The Bacchae by Euripides in Paul Woodruff’s translation. Directed by David Furumoto, this production, which runs April 12-21 at the Pasant Theatre, explores ancient Greek tragedy fused with classical Asian theatre aesthetics. The Bacchae tells a story of Dionysus, the god of wine. Supported by a Chorus of his followers (the Bacchae), Dionysus takes revenge on his mortal relatives in the…

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Department of Theatre to Present ‘A Wrinkle in Time’

A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle has endeared itself in the hearts of readers for generations. Using Tracy Young’s truthful and supremely theatrical adaptation, MSU’s Department of Theatre takes impossible feats of fiction and brings them to life in bold, imaginative, and thrilling fashion in this theatrical version of the classic novel. The story thrusts three children into peril beyond their years…

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Theatre Department Presents the American Classic ‘Oklahoma!’

Michigan State University’s Department of Theatre presents Oklahoma! February 15-17 and 19-24 at the Fairchild Theater. An American classic and Rodgers & Hammerstein's first collaboration, Oklahoma! boasts a 25-person cast, the Orchesis dance company, and a 16-piece orchestra.  In many ways, Oklahoma! is Rodgers & Hammerstein’s most innovative collaboration, having set the standards and established the rules of musical theatre still being followed today. Set in a Western Indian…

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Theatre Students to Improvise for Freshman Showcase

Join the Department of Theatre’s freshmen class as they take audience suggestions to improvise a new show every time in this year’s Freshman Showcase, which runs Thursday, November 29, to Sunday, December 2, at the MSU Auditorium’s Studio 60 Theatre.  For each performance, the characters, setting, dialogue, music, and lyrics all will be made up on the spot. The performers will improvise short-form…

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‘Men on Boats’ Coming to MSU Auditorium

MSU’s Department of Theatre will perform Jaclyn Backhaus’ Men on Boats November 9-11 and November 13-18 in the Studio 60 Theatre at the MSU Auditorium.  Directed by Associate Professor Ann Folino White, Men on Boats is a story of Major John Wesley Powell and his crew who set off to chart the Green and Colorado Rivers on the first official government-sponsored expedition of the Grand Canyon.…

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Theatre Student Works with Professor on Interactive Musical

Junior Theatre major Jonas Higbee has been researching interactive musicals with Associate Professor Alison Dobbins since his freshman year at Michigan State University. Their research is based around Dance Engine, an ever-evolving artistic project that combines dancing, storytelling, improvisation, and audience interaction to build a single-story timeline. For Dance Engine, all audience members are given tablet computers or, in the most recent version…

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10th Annual Haunted Aud Is ‘Carn-Evil’

MSU’s Department of Theatre has the perfect carnival-themed clown concoction brewing for its 10th annual Haunted Auditorium, which runs October 27, 28, and 31. This year’s production, titled Carn-Evil, will transform the three-story Auditorium into a scary carnival-theme atmosphere with student actors giving visitors a fright at every turn. The production is being led by Rachel Aho, a junior BFA Design major with a…

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ĭmáGen Collaboration Presents ‘One Good Day’

The ĭmáGen collaboration between MSU's Department of Theatre and the Wharton Center Institute for Arts and Creativity presents a staged concert of "One Good Day," a new musical by Rona Siddiqui and Liz Suggs, at the Wharton Center’s Pasant Theatre Sept. 22-23. Each year since 2014, ĭmáGen selects a new musical to be presented under the guidance of a Broadway-caliber director showcasing Broadway stars.…

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Department of Theatre Announces 2018-2019 Season

Michigan State University’s Department of Theatre is “Breaking Down Borders,” the theme of its 2018-2019 season, in which the department will present plays with meaning and celebrate the lack of limitations here at MSU. The season includes nine shows, with each offering its own take on the theme. The season opens Saturday, September 22, with One Good Day and ends on Wednesday, April 24,…

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