All-Female Cast Highlights Texas State Production Of Shakespeare's THE TEMPEST

The Department of Theatre and Dance at Texas State University will stage William Shakespeare's The Tempest Feb. 12-17 in the Performing Arts Center.

Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12-16, with a 2 p.m. matinee Feb. 17. Individual tickets start at $13 for adults and $8 for students and may be purchased by phone at (512) 245-6500 or online at txstatepresents.com.

In this fresh look at Shakespeare's poetic masterpiece about revenge, romance and power, an all-female cast delivers a sharp critique on the nature of dominance and offers hope for transformation, redemption and forgiveness. The play tells the story of an exiled duke cast away on a magical island, who struggles to subdue his enemies and reunite his daughter with society.

Director Bruce Turk, a graduate of Westlake High School, returned to the Texas Hill Country three years ago following a distinguished professional career across the country to pursue a MFA in directing from Texas State. Turk has performed leading roles on Broadway, internationally and at major regional theatres across the country, specializing in classical theatre. He has been a resident member of Tadashi Suzuki's Acting Company in Japan and has also worked extensively with Julie Taymor, appearing in her productions of Titus Andronicus, Juan Darien at Lincoln Center, and playing the title role in The Green Bird on Broadway.

The production features original music by Laura Brackney. Myra Vassian serves as music director and Nicole Wesley as choreographer.

Special event parking is available in the Edward Gary Street Garage, located on the corner of University Drive and Edward Gary Street, for a flat fee of $5, cash only.

Founded in 1899, Texas State University is among the largest universities in Texas with an enrollment of 38,694 students on campuses in San Marcos and Round Rock. Texas State's 189,000-plus alumni are a powerful force in serving the economic workforce needs of Texas and throughout the world. Designated an Emerging Research University by the State of Texas, Texas State is classified under "Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity," the second-highest designation for research institutions under the Carnegie classification system.