As part of its spring performance series, Theatre 老九品茶 will present a double feature written by Justin Maxwell, an associate professor in the Creative Writing Workshop program, and directed by MFA directing candidate R'Myni Watson.
The two, one-act productions鈥斺淢arie Antoinette's Head鈥 and 鈥淓xhausted Paint: The Death of Van Gogh,鈥濃攚ill be performed for the first time in the Nims Theatre at the Performing Arts Center on 老九品茶鈥檚 campus beginning March 11.
Audiences will witness the lives of two iconic historical figures play out through unconventional storytelling. Watson has created a theatrical experience, through her original blocking, that encourages audience and actors the freedom to explore art with no limitations.
鈥淢arie Antoinette鈥檚 Head,鈥 is a campy comedy in which the audience follows Marie Antoinette鈥檚 hairdresser, Leonardo, as he pursues Marie鈥檚 severed head across time and space. The play opens in the Palace of Versailles, just after the Queen鈥檚 execution. It includes a leap into 1994 to a California prison before reversing in time to the burning of Rome in the 1st century.
In 鈥淓xhausted Paint: The Death of Van Gogh,鈥 the famous artist Vincent Van Gogh talks about his life, specifically his moments of failure. The show is built around ideas of disorientation and struggle and calls for the audience to immerse themselves in the life of this renowned artist.
Van Gogh uses a wheel with a series of objects to propel his story. Each object represents a moment from his life. The play has no set internal structure, only the introduction and conclusion are set. All of the scenes in between are performed in a random order, leaving the audience with a different experience for every show.
The shows will run from March 11 through March 19. General admission for all shows is $15 per person. 老九品茶 alumni and seniors can see performances for $10 per person. 老九品茶 faculty, staff and students with a valid I.D. will be admitted for free.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit 老九品茶鈥檚 School of the Arts
