Theatre Pro Rata Announces 2013-14 Season

Theatre Pro Rata announces its 2013-2014 season, featuring works by Bertold Brecht, George Brant, and William Shakespeare.

Theatre Pro Rata is thrilled to announce its 13th season of smart, vivid, varied, and gutsy programming. This season contains a diverse and riveting set of plays ranging from classical comedy to disturbing, modern drama. Pro Rata will continue in its use of a script-centric process to produce a product that engages actors and audiences alike.

The season opens with Bertold Brecht's classic The Good Woman of Setzuan, with a fresh, modern translation by Eric Bentley. The story of a woman forced to choose between altruism and harsh reality still resonates today. Director Carin Bratlie mentioned what excited her about this production saying, "This translation is surprisingly fun and silly, and the audience is going to have a great time. There's all sorts of delightful little gems we're planning, and with the intimacy of Intermedia the audience should have no trouble catching them all."

The second show, Elephant's Graveyard by George Brant, is a chilling story based on actual events from the early 20th century about the public execution of a circus elephant. This play was chosen after being read at Pro Rata's Playreading Series and discussed by audience members and actors. When choosing to direct the play, Amber Bjork commented that "I love that it's a tragic story told in a simple, heart-wrenching, beautiful way. The characters involved in this historical event never come to a true consensus on what is right; only what is regrettable."

Finally, Pro Rata's summer production will be everybody's favorite classic cross-dressing comedy by William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, directed by Carin Bratlie. Never formal or stuffy, Pro Rata's treatment of classical works in general and the Bard in particular always strives to be wild and passionate while still honoring the text.

Throughout the season Pro Rata will also continue its Playreading Series, allowing the general public to attend free readings of scripts under consideration by the company. Audience members are encouraged to provide feedback afterward, discussing the play with the actors and each other, giving them a voice in helping to choose upcoming seasons! These fun, informal gatherings are a great way to see the very beginning of Pro Rata's process as they first delve into a script. Dates are TBA.