Asolo Rep Tours Schools & Other Venues With ANTIGONE NOW, Starts 10/5

Asolo Repertory Theatre presents the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training with a touring production of Antigone Now, Melissa Cooper's new play inspired by Sophocles' Antigone. The "New Stages" play for 2010, Antigone Now reaches out to schools, organizations, venues and many unique locations throughout the region. This production marks the revival of Asolo Rep touring plays to engage new audiences and expand access to professional theatre, which was a popular feature of the Asolo Rep season in its early years.

The play is directed by Dmitry Troyanovsky, who received accolades for directing The Bacchae and Machinal for the Conservatory. Costume design is by Julia Kosanovich, sound design by Matthew Parker, voice and dialect training by Patricia Delorey, and stage management by Erin MacDonald. The cast showcases the talents of the third-year class of the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training with Devereau Chumrau as Antigone, Kim Hausler as Ismene, Danny Jones as Creon, Lindsay Marie Tierce performing as the chorus leader with ensemble/chorus members Alicia Dawn Bullen, Adam Carpenter, Ron Kagan, Will Little, Angela Sauer, and voiceovers by Dane Dandridge.

"Taking Antigone Now on tour is very exciting to me. The play will be performed in many places, at different times of day, often in extremely different spatial configurations," says director Dmitry Troyanovsky. "But no matter where we go we always have the actors and the audience, and the powerful chemistry of live theatre that happens when the two come together in one space. It reminds me of Greek theatre's roots."

The play was inspired by Sophocles' classic Greek tragedy Antigone, but has been re-set to take place in a contemporary city still feeling the aftershocks of war. Antigone is a young woman struggling to stand against the principles of an uncompromising authority.

"The title of the piece is very appropriate," adds Asolo Rep Education and Outreach Director Brian Hersh. "Antigone is an ancient story and we're presenting it in the here and 'Now'. The play is based on the importance of open communication and understanding, which is timeless. Antigone Now encourages us to acknowledge the many different viewpoints we have as citizens and the importance of not just being heard, but to listen. Considering current events, with so many people in the world talking at each other instead of with each other, the message is relevant. And, like the ancient Greeks, we're producing it in a way that expands access to theatre for all kinds of people in all kinds of places. We're performing everywhere from schools to stores and public gardens to neighborhoods. We cannot wait to get started."

"New Stages" is a bold educational initiative that challenges young minds and promotes exciting opportunities to grow and learn. Originally modeled to enhance curricular goals and help teachers and students integrate theatre into everyday learning through student matinees and workshops, New Stages is continually evolving in scope to offer a broader theatre experience. It also offers families and multi-cultural, multi-generational audiences across the region the chance to share the joys of theatre by attending special public performances. Productions meet Sunshine State Standards for Language Arts, Arts and Social Studies; as well as the Asolo Rep mission to entertain, engage, and inspire through the highest quality professional repertory theatre and superior educational programs. This production is suitable for high school students to adults.

Teachers are invited to attend our professional development workshops, which will aid in preparing their classes for the performances. Teachers will have the opportunity to participate in lesson plans, interview the director and actors, and partake in group discussions. Each performance will also include an after-show talk back encouraging audience discussion.
Antigone Now is sponsored by Publix Supermarket Charities, Inc., The Charles Henry Leach II Foundation, Asolo Repertory Theatre Guild, and Comcast.

Antigone Now will primarily be toured with performances at schools, organizations and unique venues across the region beginning on October 5, 2010. To learn more and to book a workshop or a performance at your school, club, company, community organization, neighborhood or venue call 941-351-9010 ext. 3306.

Follow the tour on Facebook as it performs across the region. Just go to the Asolo Rep page on Facebook and click the link for "Where is Antigone Now?."

For single tickets ($26) to the Cook Theatre performances in the FSU center for the Performing Arts on Oct. 4th and 8th, please call the Asolo Rep box office at 941-351-8000 or toll-free at 800-361-8388, or go to the website at www.asolorep.org. Groups of 10+ save up to 30%; call 941-351-9010 ext. 6013 or email group_sales@asolo.org.

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