WILSON, N.C. — Dramatic realism, in its purest form, unfolds on stage as Theatre at Barton opens its 2011-2012 season with Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll House” on Nov. 10-13. Evening performances in the Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre at Barton College will be held Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 10-12, at 8 p.m. and on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 13, at 3 p.m.
“In the latter part of the 19th century, a new sensibility was emerging in theatre circles,” shares Adam Twiss, director of Theatre at Barton. “No longer would audiences be satisfied with bombastic storytelling and rhetoric; fading were the broad gestures and exaggerated expressions of melodramatic fare, as well as the over-the-top, stock characters of comedy. This new style would become known as ‘dramatic realism.’ It sought to create believable circumstances on stage – real characters with real motivations. The impact was immediately profound. Empathy became the quintessential measuring stick of successful drama, which, in turn, changed the very course of Western drama.
“Presenting one of the iconic plays from the canon of dramatic literature is a privilege for any theatre, and Theatre at Barton is pleased to present Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House,” one of the most controversial pieces of its time,” continues Twiss. “Though the content seems relatively tame by our contemporary standards, this play was simultaneously called feminist, amoral, and atheistic, and incited riots throughout Europe in the late 1870s.”
The Barton cast includes Sue Murphy, junior theatre and mathematics major; Kirsten Conrad, junior theatre and deaf education major, Wesley Pridgen, senior theatre major; Katelyn Barr, junior theatre major; Adam Barr, junior theatre and accounting major; and freshman Isabella Gano. Guest artists in the cast include Tony Tilley and Fletcher Duke.
The production personnel includes Jess Jones, assistant director; Jorge Santos, stage manager; Chris Bernier, lighting and scenic design, and technical director; Matt Smith, sound design; and Dr. Sharon Montano, costume, hair and make-up design.
General admission is $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and members of the military, and $6 for students. Barton College students, faculty and staff are admitted free with proper ID. Group rates are also available for parties of six or more by contacting Adam Twiss at ajtwiss@barton.edu or 252-399-6484 to make arrangements. Tickets are available at the door and also may be purchased online at www.barton.edu/theatre. (Please note there is a $2 advance online charge for Barton students, faculty and staff.)
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Questions? Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.