University
of Illinois at Chicago Office of Public Affairs (MC 288)
601 S. Morgan St., Chicago, IL 60607-7113, (312) 996-3456, www.uic.edu/depts/paff
| September 30, 2000 | Contact: Bryant Payne (312) 355-2523; bpayne2@uic.edu |
NOTE: PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
UIC THEATRE TAKES 'OUR TOWN' TO RUSSIA
This spring, a cast and crew of 30 UIC students and faculty will perform Thornton Wilder's American classic, "Our Town," at the Theatre of Moscow Southwest. Chicago-area audiences will have an opportunity to preview the production during a series of benefit performances held on the campus of UIC.
"This international exchange allows our students to gain a broader perspective of the world, and to promote their studies through performances of their work at various schools in Moscow and at the prestigious Theatre of Moscow Southwest," said William Raffeld, associate professor of theater and the play's director.
Opening: Thursday, Oct. 5 (7:30 p.m.)
Friday, Oct. 6 (7:30 p.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 7 (7:30 p.m.)
Special Benefit Performance: Sunday, Oct. 8 (1:30 p.m.)
Thursday, Oct. 12 (7:30 p.m.)
Friday, Oct. 13 (7:30 p.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 14 (7:30 p.m.)
Sunday, Oct. 15 (2:15 p.m.)
UIC Theatre
1044 W. Harrison St.
In addition to their performance of "Our Town," UIC students will attend classes along with their Russian counterparts at two well-known theater schools and will participate in the International Theatre Olympic Festival.
Fundraisers have been initiated to assist in sponsoring this endeavor, including a special benefit performance with a champagne brunch and a raffle with a first prize of an all-expense-paid trip for two to Russia.
"In order to bring this trip to fruition, we need to raise $24,500," said Raffeld. "Although the university has historically given us some funding for our exchange, our cast must raise the majority of the funds for this endeavor."
Raffeld, who has been principally responsible for developing UIC's international theater exchange program with Russia's Theatre of Moscow Southwest, hopes to recreate the heart-warming, compassionate story that gained this American drama a Pulitzer Prize in 1938.
Tickets are $7 for UIC students, $8 for non-UIC students, $10 for UIC faculty and staff and $12 for the general public. Special benefit performance; $35 champagne brunch and performance or $25 for performance only.
- UIC -