10/1/01

Linda Bell, 334/844-4748

'FRONT TO BACK' SYMPOSIA DEBUTS AT AUBURN UNIVERSITY THEATRE

AUBURN -- Auburn University's Department of Theatre will conduct pre-and post- show discussion groups at its Thursday night theatre performances throughout the 2001-2002 season.

Dubbed the "Front to Back" Symposia by department chair Worth Gardner, the pre- show discussion, which will begin at 6 p.m., will feature members of the AU faculty from a wide variety of academic disciplines.

Following the performance, the audience will have the opportunity to interact with the director and cast members.

"The Crucible" begins the season with pre-show discussions Oct. 4 and 11 moderated by Scott Phillips, a faculty member in the Department of Theatre who is directing the production.

The pre-show session will feature the perspectives of Larry Gerber of history, Barry Burkhart of psychology, Carole Schuyler of English and Caleb Clark of political science.

The performance on Oct. 4 will be followed by a "talk-back" session between the audience, the director and members of the cast. The Oct. 11 performance will be followed by a public response conducted by a representative from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.

The symposia are part of a continuing effort by the Department of Theatre to enrich audience appreciation of dramatic literature in performance, and to incorporate the talents of Auburn's exceptional academic community to help illuminate issues in each play that resonate beyond the discipline of theatre.

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CONTACT: Gardner or Bell at 334/844-4748.