Photos: University of Washington Drama School Launches New Season with Tom Stoppard's REAL INSPECTOR HOUND

Classes are back in session and that means the University of Washington School of Drama faculty and students are hard at work on the first show of their 2013?2014 season and we've got a first photo look. This season is particularly meaningful to the UW School of Drama's executive director Sarah Nash Gates because, after 30 years working in the department, she will retire at the end of this season. As executive director she has played an instrumental role in the play selection process each season. Last spring she helped choose Tom Stoppard's The Real Inspector Hound as the season opener to spotlight the keen comedic acting talents of many of the third?year UW Professional Actor Training Program (PATP) students.

UW Alumna (MFA '09) Desdemona Chiang is returning to campus to direct this hilarious 1968 play?within?a?play. In 2012 Chiang received a Gregory Award for directing the critically acclaimed Azeotrope production of Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train at ACT Theatre. In 2009 Chiang directed Big Love as an MFA student in the Meany Studio.

In The Real Inspector Hound Stoppard unveils his brilliant sense of the absurd. It's an Agatha Christie?style murder mystery parody set at an isolated country manor. Theatre critics Moon and Birdboot are swept into the whodunit they are viewing and must navigate the satirical trappings set by mysterious strangers, a bitter love triangle and, of course, a madman on the loose! As the adage goes, "Dying is easy, comedy is hard!" This play was specifically selected so the talented third?year PATP students can fine tune their comedic acting skills.

Cast members include: Brianne Hill, Amanda Hilson, Yesenia Iglesias, Pankaj Jha, Darius Mousavi, Jonathan Shue, Christian Telesmar, and Kimberly Wood.

Performances are Wednesday?Saturday at 7:30 pm. Sundays at 2 pm. Season subscription packages are on sale now and range from $54?$96. Student subscriptions are $54. Single tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door. Student tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Discounted Senior/UWAA/UW Staff tickets are $13 in advance and $15 at the door. Preview performances are always $10 for everyone. Tickets are available online or over the phone through the UW Arts Ticket Office, 206?543?4880 / drama.uw.edu/performances. The UW Arts Ticket Office is located at 1313 NE 41st Street, open Monday?Friday, 11 am?6 pm.