A new form of theater and a new theater space will debut September 22 at Fresno Pacific University.
Thursday’s production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest begins a series of staged readings. The readings will be the inaugural use of Strasbourg Theater, a converted part of Strasbourg Quad that has been home to student government and Pacific Bookshop.
The one-night production begins at 7:00 p.m. and admission is free. The director is Brooke Aiello, theater instructor, and the cast includes Marshall Johnston, Ph.D., associate professor of history/Latin; Eleanor Nickel, Ph.D., associate professor of English; Daniel Larson, Ph.D., assistant professor of English; and Greg Camp, Ph.D., professor of biblical & religious studies/Greek.
Other readings for 2016-2017 are:
Thursday, October 27 at 7:00 p.m.—The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie
Thursday, March 16 at 7:00 p.m.—A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
Aiello will also direct The Mousetrap and Nickel A Raisin in the Sun. These productions will also be free and take place in Strasbourg Theater on the main FPU campus, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno.
The staged reading series is a partnership between the theater program and the English department. The goal is to bring together students, faculty and staff to share great literature with an audience in a new way.
All actors remain onstage throughout the production and step forward to play their scenes. Lines are read, not performed from memory and without elaborate costumes, props and sets. “That’s one of the great things about staged readings; you can experience a great play but without all the hours and effort that go into fully produced plays,” said Julia Reimer, Ph.D., associate professor and theater program director.
Participants also don’t require extensive—or any—stage experience. “Anyone can do it, with a little effort and desire. That’s what we want to encourage,” Reimer said.
For more information on all FPU theater, email julia.reimer@fresno.edu or call 559-453-2056. See a complete list of university events at fresno.edu/events