Northwestern University Theatre Celebrates 30 Years

To commemorate its 30th anniversary, the Theatre and Interpretation Center (TIC) at Northwestern University will welcome acclaimed guest artists to its 2010-11 Mainstage Season.

They include The Hypocrites theater company artistic director Sean Graney; Lookingglass Theatre Company ensemble member David Catlin; Chicago actress Ann Whitney; Congo Square Theatre Company founding artistic director Derrick Sanders; and playwright, director and stage, television and film actress ReGina Taylor.

TIC also will offer a new Saturday morning family series called "Imagine U," that starts this fall. Through three Saturday morning events (Nov. 6, Feb. 19 and May 7) grandparents, parents and children will have a hands-on opportunity to experience theatre behind-the- scenes, featuring interactions with Northwestern faculty and student cast members.

In addition, the 2010-11 season will include a new -- or "NU" -- holiday tradition called "'Tis Our Season" (Dec. 3 to 5), an evening of holiday songs and stories. And, for the first time, TIC is offering two new discounts to mainstage productions: $10 single ticket prices to Thursday night season performances to U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their families (with a valid military ID), as well as $10 tickets for Northwestern alumni (with a valid WildCARD) who have graduated within the past two years.

To launch the season, guest director Sean Graney will present an entertaining adaptation of the comedic masterpiece "Tartuffe" (Oct. 22 to Nov. 6). Theatre department chair Rives Collins will direct the Tony Award-winning musical adaptation of "The Secret Garden" (Nov. 12 to 21).

This winter, TIC guest artist Derrick Sanders will bring to the stage Rebecca Gilman's thought-provoking play, "Spinning Into Butter" (Jan. 28 to Feb. 6). TIC Artistic Director Henry Godinez will direct "Peribanez" (Feb. 11 to 20), a daring and classic tale of romance by 17th-century Spanish playwright and poet Lope De Vega. To celebrate the approach of spring, award-winning dance faculty member Annie Beserra will direct the annual audience favorite "Danceworks" (Feb. 25 to March 6).

March will kick off with a special, one-weekend-only festival directed and curated by ReGina Taylor, one of Hollywood's most versatile performers. Taylor will be in residence this fall to work with Northwestern students to create "The State(s) of America: The ReGina Taylor Project" (March 4 to 6), a series of original works featuring video, plays and interactive novellas.

TIC will then present Edward Mast's award-winning tale, "Jungalbook" (April 8 to 17), under the direction of faculty member Betsy Quinn. Concluding the season is Neil Simon's coming-of-age comedy, "Brighton Beach Memoir" (May 6 to 15), directed by award-winning faculty member Mary Poole.

"Since 1980, TIC has been committed to offering our audiences a view of the world from our stages that is enlightening and entertaining," said Godinez. "Our 30th anniversary season is filled with tales of laughter and heartbreak, desire and revenge, innocence and adventure, conflict and healing, and family and identity."

TIC performances will take place in five locations on the Evanston campus -- the Ethel M. Barber Theater at 30 Arts Circle Drive; the Josephine Louis Theater at 20 Arts Circle Drive; the Hal and Martha Hyer Wallis Theater at 1949 Campus Drive; the Mussetter-Struble Theater at 1949 Campus Drive; and Cahn Auditorium at 600 Emerson Street.

TIC artistic staff and cast members will host post-show discussions for all eight mainstage productions, which will follow the first Sunday matinee performance and Thursday evening performance. Post-show discussions are free to all patrons.

The Theater and Interpretation Center 2010-11 subscription package is $127 for adults; $110 for seniors 65 and older, Northwestern faculty and staff and area educators; and $40, a new discounted rate for full-time students and children. Subscriptions represent more than a 25 percent discount over single ticket prices.

Subscription benefits include a flexible exchange policy; secured seats to sold-out shows; the best seats in the house; complimentary tickets to select Studio Productions; and invitations to special events and programming. Subscriptions are available through the TIC Box Office at (847) 491-7282 or www.tic.northwestern.edu. Single ticket prices are listed below and will go on sale Oct. 1 also through the Box Office at (847) 491-7282 or www.tic.northwestern.edu.

TIC also is offering two new $10 ticket discounts. U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their families may purchase $10 tickets to Thursday evening performances (with a valid military ID). In addition, Northwestern alumni who have graduated within the past two years also receive the $10 full-time student discount (with a valid WildCARD).

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