University Theatre to stage 'Ten-Minute Play Festival' April 1-6 at KU

LAWRENCE -- The University of Kansas William Inge Memorial Theatre Series caps off its 2002-03 season with "The Ten-Minute Play Festival" in the Inge Theatre in Murphy Hall. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. April 1 through 5 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 6.

Ten-minute play festivals are something of a phenomenon that have taken the U.S. theatre world by storm, explained Joy Richmond, Houston, Texas, doctoral student and co-production manager for the festival.

"From New York to Washington, D.C., to Louisville, Kentucky, to the Midwest, and throughout the West Coast, these festivals of 'shorts,' as they have come to be known, offer an exciting evening at the theatre," Richmond said. "Not only do audience members get a taste of a wide variety of genres, but these festivals have also stirred the flames of American playwriting."

Julie Noonan, Howard, S.D., doctoral student and co-production manager for the festival, said the Inge Theatre series is an eclectic one with both new and already-published plays and a wide variety of student and faculty directors.

The lineup for KU's 2003 "10-Minute Play Festival" includes:

 • "Mrs. Sorken" by Christopher Durang, directed by Richmond.

 • "Marred Bliss" by Mark O'Donnell, directed by Paula Paggi, Richardson, Texas, junior.

 • "What She Found There" by John Glore, directed by Theresa Buchheister, Manhattan junior.

 • "Ketchup," a new play by Kristin Soper, directed by Kim Miller, Erie, Ill., doctoral student.

 • "One Minute Play" by Christopher Durang, directed by Richmond.

 • "What I Meant Was" by Craig Lucas, directed by Erin Jones, Lawrence special student.

 • "The Query" by Woody Allen, directed by Bob Dorsey, Lansing senior.

 • "Workout" by Wendy Wasserstein, directed by Richmond.

 • "The Power and the Glory" by Le Wilhelm, directed by Amber Renee McIntosh, Topeka senior.

 • "The Philadelphia" by David Ives, directed by Judith Michelle Williams, assistant professor of African/African American studies.

 • "Loyalties" by Murphy Guyer, directed by Phillip J. Vocasek, Dodge City senior.

 • "Reality/TV," a devised script, directed by Sara K. Armstrong, Cushing, Okla., graduate student.

 • "Breath" by Samuel Beckett, directed by Richmond.

General admission tickets for the festival are on sale through the KU ticket offices: University Theatre, (785) 864-3982; Lied Center, (785) 864-ARTS; SUA, (785) 864-7469; and online at http://www.kutheatre.com. Tickets are $12 for the public, $6 for all students and $11 for senior citizens.

KU students acting in "The 10-Minute Play Festival" productions include (listed by name, class, parents' names and high school alma mater):

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Leawood
Christina Schafer, senior, daughter of Bill and Kerry Schafer; Blue Valley High School graduate.

From Overland Park
Steve Ducey, sophomore, son of Thomas B. and Arleen B. Ducey; Blue Valley North High School graduate.
Kyle Hlavacek, senior, son of Ted and Janet Hlavacek; Blue Valley Northwest High School graduate.
Sarah Elizabeth Homan, junior, daughter of Stephen and Karen Homan; Shawnee Mission South High School graduate.
Samara Naeymi, freshman, daughter of Brad and Dorothy Naeymi; Blue Valley Northwest High School graduate.

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY
From Wamego
Brandon DeLany, freshman, son of Dianne DeLany; Wabaunsee High School graduate.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka
Elisabeth Ahrens, sophomore, daughter of Martin R. Ahrens and Marsha L. Anderson; Washburn Rural High School graduate.

MINNESOTA
From Lakeville
Justin Knudsen, freshman, son of Ken and Barb Knudsen; Lakeville Senior High School graduate.

MISSOURI
From Kansas City
Patrick Craft, junior, son of Mary Craft; Winnetonka High School graduate.

From St. Louis
Kevin McCabe, senior, son of Dennis and Jane McCabe; St. Louis Valley High School graduate.

NORTH DAKOTA
From Bismarck
Caitlin McDonald, sophomore, daughter of Jack and Connie McDonald; St. Mary's Central High School graduate.

OKLAHOMA
From Broken Arrow
Leslie Long, junior, daughter of Robert L. Miller and Robin M. Miller; Morris High School graduate.