KU News Release

KU students to restage ‘Snow Queen’ in Lithuania’s National Drama Theatre

KU actors bound for Lithuania to present childrens
play in national theatre

LAWRENCE — Seven University of Kansas theater students will visit Lithuania Dec. 12-22 to restage the 2005 University Theatre production of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen” at the National Drama Theatre in Vilnius.

The KU Theatre for Young People originally staged the children’s classic in December 2005. The production was directed by Romas Vikshraitis, artistic director of Elfu Teatras in Vilnius. Vikshraitis was so taken with the KU production he asked that the production be performed at his own theatre.

The original production featured scenic design by Anna Wieczorek, a former master’s degree student in scenography now living in London; lighting design by Tim Boeshaar, Mission Hills senior in theater design; costume design by Kelly Vogel, Tonganoxie master’s degree student in scenography, and sound designer by Alex Weston, University Theatre stage manager. John Staniunas, associate professor of theater and film and chair of the Department of Theatre and Film, choreographed the production.

Told through seven stories, “The Snow Queen” is a tale of devoted friendship and the power of love over evil. It follows a courageous girl as she searches for her friend who has been whisked away by the evil Snow Queen. The girl’s adventurous journey to the queen’s icy palace takes her through unusual landscapes where she encounters fantastical and magical characters before saving her friend through the power of love.

Vikshraitis first adapted Andersen’s tale for broadcast on Lithuanian radio. The actors were repertory members of his own Elfu Teatras (Theatre for Little Ones — Elves), which specializes in theater for young audiences. The KU version was different from the radio play, although the director used much of the music and sound effects from that project.

Accompanied by Staniunas, the student actors will work with Lithuanian actors from Elfu Teatras for 10 days. After the students perform in Vilnius, “The Snow Queen” will become a permanent offering of Elfu Teatras, playing to thousands of children in Europe each year.

While in Lithuania, Alicia Gian, KU theater graduate student who portrays the Snow Queen in the production, and Staniunas will perform a vocal concert in an ancient castle in Vilnius, accompanied by Egle Perkumaite, a former Fulbright scholar at KU.

Student members of the “The Snow Queen” company traveling to Lithuania are listed below by level in school and major, parents’ names, high school and role.

FINNEY COUNTY
From Garden City 67846
Alicia Gian, master’s degree student in theater, daughter of Michael and Janis Gian; Garden City High School; the Snow Queen.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Stilwell 66085
Matthew Crooks, sophomore theater and English major, son of Nancy Wunderlizh and Mike Crooks; Blue Valley High School; the Troll.

LABETTE COUNTY
From Parsons 67357
Lavinia Cybele Roberts, junior theater and creative writing major, daughter of Mary and Richard Roberts; Parsons High School; Grandmother.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
From Leavenworth 66048
Jon Matteson, junior theater and film and English major, son of Matt and Christine Matteson; Leavenworth High School; the Crow.

RILEY COUNTY
From Manhattan 66502
Cassidi Kay Stuckman, junior theater and film major, daughter of David Stuckman and Michelle McGuire; Manhattan High School; Gerda.

NEBRASKA
From Omaha 68137
Robbie Gordy, sophomore theater and pre-law major, son of Jan Kennedy and Brent Gordy; Millard South High School; Kai.

TEXAS
From Plano 75025
Ben Cook, junior theater major, son of Rick and Carol Cook; Plano Senior High School; the Reindeer.

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