Current and Upcoming Productions
2011-2012 Season
Theatrical production in the college setting is the quintessential learning community in its intensity of interaction. It fosters a genuine and productive collaborative spirit among the participants, both artists and audiences. Aristotle believed that the entertainment theatre provides involves the enjoyment of audiences learning about themselves and the world around them. Theatre at Penn State Berks aims to activate and inspire students and audiences by producing works that provide a range of perspectives on the human experience.
For more information call the box office at 610-396-6371 or email us at BerksTheatre@psu.edu
Cabaret the musical, by Joe Masteroff, John Kander, and Fred Ebb
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Directed by Cleo House, Jr.
November 3-6, 10-13, 2011
Perkins Auditorium at 8 pm, Sunday matinee at 2 pm
Tickets: $15 Reserved Seating $12 General Admission, $7 Faculty/Staff, $3 PSU Students w/ ID
Synopsis: Taking place in the late 1920's, an aspiring writer named Cliff Bradshaw has traveled to Berlin in search of inspiration when he happens upon Sally Bowles at a cabaret called the Kit Kat Klub. She ends up moving in with him in a boarding house run by Fraulein Schneider and her suitor, Herr Schultz, a Jewish fruit-shop owner. As the Nazis grow stronger, everything is thrown into disarray. Based on the play "I Am a Camera" by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood.
THEATRE INSOMNIA
Produced by the PENN PLAYERS
2ND annual devised theatre event.
December 3, 2011
Perkins Auditorium at 8 pm
Ticket Prices: Free (Donations appreciated)
What is THEATRE INSOMNIA? Glad you asked. Students get together and create NEW work in 24 HOURS!! The showcase may take the form of dance, song, plays, poetry, performance art...you name it. Audiences never know what may await them when the doors open. Exciting! All current PSU Berks students who have previously participated in the Theatre at Penn State Berks program are eligible to participate. Rehearsal starts the evening of December 2nd. Contact the student liason Steff Thomas at set5144@psu.edu for more information.
N.O.W. at Berks (New Original Works)
Producer: Radhica Ganapathy
4th Annual Student One-Act Play Festival
February 20-24, 2012
Perkins Auditorium at 8 pm
Ticket Prices: $10 general admission, $5 faculty/staff, $2 PSU students with ID
Synopsis: In order to encourage and celebrate original writing, the Theatre at Berks produces N.O.W at Berks, a one-act play festival. N.O.W. (New Original Works) is representative of our current students at Penn State Berks and promises to showcase amazing on-campus collaborations between student producer, stage manager, playwrights, directors, and actors! We encourage all students to participate regardless of their major. This is an exciting opportunity to write and be produced! Join us for our fourth annual production of N.O.W. and support student written works. Interested students should contact Professor Ganapathy at rzg3@psu.edu for information including Call For Scripts, submission guidelines, selection and production process.
The Children's Hour, by Lillian Hellman
Directed by Radhica Ganapathy
April 12-15, 19-22, 2011
Perkins Auditorium at 8 pm, Sunday matinee at 2 pm;
Ticket Prices: $10 general admission, $5 Faculty/Staff, $2 PSU students with ID
Synopsis: The Children's Hour is playwright Lillian Hellman's best known play. While offering commentary on the social challenges faced by her female contemporaries, Hellman presents a complex undertaking of relationships and women's sexuality in early twentieth century. The play focuses largely on the lives of its central characters, Karen and Martha, whose professional and personal lives take a critical turn when controversial lies are spread. As rumors threaten to tear apart everything that Karen and Martha have worked for, it also brings them to the threshold of a profound understanding of themselves, and each other.