7/20/00
AU THEATRE NAMES ARTISTIC DIRECTOR; SETS SEASON AND BENEFIT
AUBURN -- The Auburn University Department of Theatre has appointed an artistic director, established an advisory board and scheduled the first-ever Theatre Benefit.
Trish McAdams, head of AU's Department of Theatre and AU Theatre Producer, named Dan La Rocque, an associate professor in AU's Department of Theatre for 10 years, as artistic director of AU Theatre. He will oversee new projects, including the Sept. 9 AU Theatre benefit, "In The Limelight."
McAdams and La Rocque have been working with marketing director Linda Bell and ticket office manager Marjorie Teeter to create new programs to support AU's theatre program. One is the department's first AU Theatre Advisory Board, which is still being established.
La Rocque says the board will strengthen the ties between campus and the community.
"Theatre faculty and students do a lot of instruction, research and outreach that many people never see," he said. "We anticipate that our advisory board will be goodwill ambassadors in helping us educate others about AU's theatre program.
"We also want the community to feel a greater sense of involvement with our theatre. Even if folks may not always be excited by what they see on our stage, we want them to know that we're excited every time they walk into our building.
The AU Theatre is Alabama's oldest university stage company. Founded in 1913, it has grown into an integral part of AU, with an accent on professionalism in instruction, performance and production.
A second new program -- "In The Limelight" -- which will be Sept. 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the AU Hotel and Dixon Conference Center. The benefit will feature a silent auction followed by dinner, student entertainment and guest speaker Charles Caldwell, production manager of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
Benefit tickets are $30 and reservations can be made by calling 334/844- 4154.
La Rocque says the 2000-2001 season, which will begin in October, is already generating interest.
"The selection of productions for this season is varied and there is something for everybody," he said.
The season will begin with the American classic "You Can't Take It With You," Oct. 3-7. It will be directed by Lynn Lockrow, an associate professor of theatre.
William Shakespeare's definitive battle of the sexes, "The Taming of the Shrew," will be performed at Telfair Peet Nov. 28-30 and Dec. 1 and 2, and will be directed by La Rocque.
"Cabaret," which has had a revival on Broadway, is set for Feb. 20-25, 2001, and will be staged by Ralph Miller, an associate professor of theatre.
Anton Chekhov's classic Russian drama"The Three Sisters" will debut on the AU stage April 24-28, 20001, and will be directed by McAdams.
Season tickets are $46 for general audience members, $38 for senior citizens and AU faculty and staff and $28 for AU students. Single tickets prices are $12 for general audience members, $10 for senior citizens and AU faculty and staff and $8 for AU students. For more information, contact the AU Theatre Ticket Office at 334/844-4154.
jul00:AU-theatre
CONTACT: La Rocque, 334/844-6616.