MACBETH, EQUIVOCATION and More Set for UC Santa Barbara Dept of Theatre and Dance in 2013-14

The Department of Theater and Dance at UC Santa Barbara has announced another exciting year of new work from its talented faculty and students. The 2013-2014 line-up of drama includes old classics and contemporary work from European and American Playwrights. The two annual dance concerts will showcase original choreography from the advanced UCSB dance students in addition to choreography from faculty members.

Tickets for the 2013-2014 season go on sale online Friday, September 13, 2013 at the UCSB Theater and Dance website, www.theaterdance.ucsb.edu. Tickets may be purchased at the Theater and Dance Ticket Office and over the phone beginningThursday, September 26, 2013. Ticket office hours are from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. To purchase tickets over the phone, call (805) 893-7221. Ticket prices for all events are $17.00 for general admission and $13.00 for students, seniors, and UCSB faculty & staff.

The department of Theater and Dance is pleased to announce that season subscriptions will be available online on Friday, September 13, 2013. The Theater Series (five Theater Productions - Macbeth excluded) and Dance Series (3 dance productions) will be available for a 20% discount off the general admission price. Alternatively, patrons my select their own subscription by choosing any four events also for a discount of 20% off the general admission price. Subject to availability. Some restrictions apply. Visit the Theater & Dance website for more details: www.theaterdance.ucsb.edu.

Macbeth
by William Shakespeare
directed by Irwin Appel
Oct 5 & 6 - 2 PM
Oct 5 / 7 PM
Hatlen Theate

A Naked Shakes production of Macbeth by William Shakespeare and directed by Irwin Appel opens the 2013-2014 season. The play runs from October 5 - 6 in the Hatlen Theater. A program of the Theater and Dance department, Naked Shakes presents stripped down versions of plays by Shakespeare. The show features lecturer Jeff Mills in the title role and senior lecturer Michael Morgan as King Duncan.

Top Girls
by Caryl Churhill
directed by Annie Torsiglieri
Nov 8, 9 & 12 - 16 / 8 PM
Nov 9, 10 & 16 / 2 PM
Performing Arts Theater

Following Macbeth is Caryl Churchill's Top Girls, directed by Annie Torsiglieri, which runs from November 8 - 16 in the Performing Arts Theater. Set in the early Thatcher years, Top Girls uncovers the world of women's experience at a pivotal moment in British history. An eclectic group of characters tells the story of the role of women in contemporary society and examines what it means to be a successful woman.

Fall Dance Concert
Concert director Christina McCarthy
Dec 6 - 7: 8 PM
Dec 7: 2 PM
Hatlen Theater

The Fall Dance Concert, directed by Christina McCarthy, follows Top Girls. The concert features choreography by advanced dance students alongside faculty members. Dance pieces featured in this main stage concert also feature costume, lighting and scenic designs by advanced design students in collaboration with their faculty mentors. The Fall Dance Concert performs December 6 - 7 in the Hatlen Theater.

Santa Barbara Dance Theater
Artistic director Christopher Pilafian
Jan 15 - 18: 8 PM
Jan 19: 2 PM
Hatlen Theater

Santa Barbara Dance Theater, the professional Dance Company in residence at UC Santa Barbara under the direction of Christopher Pilafian kicks off the winter quarter with its annual concert. The resident company includes the talent of dancers, Kyle Castillo, Monica Ford, Tracy Kofford and Christina Sanchez. The company has grown to include a fifth dancer Lindsay Slavik. This year, Santa Barbara Dance Theater performs January 15 - 19 in the Hatlen Theater.

Fairytale Lives of Russian Girls
by Meg Miroshnik
directed by Tom Whitaker
Feb 14 - 16 & 18 - 21 / 8 PM
Feb 15, 16 & 22 / 2 PM
Performing Arts Theater

Fairytale Lives of Russian Girls by Meg Miroshnik and directed by Tom Whitaker performs February 14 - 22 in the Performing Arts Theater. A winner of the Kendeda Award, the play follows the adventure of a twenty-year-old girl named Annie, returning to her native Russia to brush up on the language and lose her American accent. Below the glamorous post-Soviet Moscow, she discovers an enchanting world of evil stepmothers, wicked witches, and ravenous bears.

LAUNCH PAD - Untitled IV by Ruth Markofsky
by Alison Tatlock
directed by Risa Brainin
Feb 28, Mar 1, 6 - 8: 8 PM
Mar 2: 2 PM
Hatlen Theater

Launch Pad, under the direction of Risa Brainin, once again brings an exciting new play to the Hatlen stage. This year, the program is pleased to bring Alison Tatlock and her new play, Untitled IV by Ruth Markofsky. The central character of Ruth will be played by Annie Torsiglieri. The play centers around Ruth, a sculptor that moves to Joshua Tree with her adopted son, Jonathan. When Ruth loses her patience with her crabby toddler and yanks his arm, rumors set off in the community about her fitness as a mother. The play is a dark and funny drama about motherhood, loss and what can happen in the desert when people come together to tell the truth. The play performs February 28 - March 8 in the Hatlen Theater.

Spring Dance Concert
Concert director Mira Kingsley
Apr 11 - 12: 8 PM
Apr 13: 2 PM
Hatlen Theater

Advanced dance students have their second opportunity to showcase their talents in the Spring Dance Concert under the direction of Mira Kingsley. Once again, the concert features choreography by advanced dance students alongside faculty members with costume, scenic and lighting designs by advanced design students. The Spring Dance Concert performs April 11 - 13 in the Hatlen Theater.

ACTING UP FRONT - The Arabian Nights
by Mary Zimmerman
directed by Jeff Mills
May 9 & 13 - 17 / 8 PM
May 10 & 17 / 2 PM
Performing Arts Theater

In its second installment, Acting Up Front presents The Arabian Nights by Mary Zimmerman. Directed by Jeff Mills, the twelve-member cast presents Scheherazade's tales of love, lust, comedy, and dreams. The adaptation of this classic blends the lesser-known tales with the recurring theme of how the magic of storytelling holds the power to change people. The play performs May 9 - 17 in the Performing Arts Theater.

Equivocation
by Bill Cain
Directed by Irwin Appel
May 23, 24, 29-31 / 8 PM
May 31 / 2 PM
Hatlen Theater

The 2013-2014 season closes with Equivocation by Bill Cain and directed by Irwin Appel. The play runs from May 23 - 31 in the Hatlen Theater. Commissioned by Robert Cecil, prime minister to King James I of England, Shakespeare is to write a play about the recent Gunpowder Plot to blow up the king and his court. By request of the King, Shakespeare is requested to add some flattering dialogue - and witches. In his struggle with the issues of artistry, politics, morality, and life and death, Shakespeare must decide to what degree he is willing to equivocate the truth and maintain his integrity as an artist. Bill Cain writes twenty parts to be played by six actors, including parts from another play that Shakespeare is writing at the same time that would become the Scottish Play (Macbeth) - making the perfect bookend to the season.

Pictured: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Photo Credit: Sarah Kouklis.