VSU Theatre and Dance Presents The Tempest Oct. 1-7

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University Theatre and Dance will kick off its 2015-2016 season with William Shakespeare’s magical “The Tempest” Oct. 1-7 in Sawyer Theatre. Tickets are on sale now.

“‘The Tempest’ tells a tale of revenge and reconciliation, where characters are shipwrecked on a deserted island, nymphs live in the trees, creatures have the power to be invisible, and spells and charms are commonplace,” shared Jacque S. Wheeler, director, professor of theatre, and chairwoman of VSU’s Theatre and Dance Area in the Department of Communication Arts, College of the Arts.

“In the midst of this magical environment, young people meet and fall in love, goddesses bless their love contract, virtue takes the place of vengeance, and brothers are peacefully reunited, while the authority of the state returns to its proper ruler.”

Written in 1610-1611, “The Tempest” is believed to be the last play that Shakespeare wrote alone and remains one of his most performed works, even 400-plus years later. It features more music than his other plays and, according to Wheeler, might more properly be called a musical, as “it is sprinkled throughout with songs, music, and dance.”

“Exploring the world of ‘The Tempest’ with our students has been a joy,” she added. “Some have learned aerial skills, some have done more dance movement than they ever anticipated, all have explored the complexities and wonders of Shakespeare’s language, and together we have created a piece which we hope brings great pleasure ….”

Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, through Saturday, Oct. 3; 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4; and 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, through Tuesday, Oct. 7.

Individual tickets for “The Tempest” are $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens, $10 for children and non-VSU students, and free for all VSU students with a valid university identification card. Tickets for groups of 10 or more people at a single performance are $9 per person.

Season memberships, which include six admissions to be used as desired by the member throughout the 2015-2016 VSU Theatre and Dance season, are $80.04 for the general public and $73.62 for university faculty and staff. Patronages are also available and range from a low of $150 to a high of $1,000 or more and help provide scholarship dollars to attract top quality students to the VSU Theatre and Dance program.

Tickets may be purchased by calling the VSU Theatre and Dance Box Office at (229) 333-5973 between the hours of 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday or by visiting https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2/team.asp?SponsorID=7166asp?SponsorID=7166#.VgrU0Uud8RU 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Sawyer Theatre and the VSU Theatre and Dance Box Office are both located on the first floor of the VSU Fine Arts Building, at the intersection of Brookwood Drive and Oak Street. 

On the Web:

http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts/communication-arts/theatre-and-dance/events/welcome.php

http://www.valdosta.edu/about/news/releases/2015/09/vsu-theatre-and-dance-season-memberships-on-sale.php

Valdosta State University’s 2013-2019 Strategic Plan represents a renewal of energy and commitment to the foundational principles for comprehensive institutions.

Implementation of the plan’s five goals, along with their accompanying objectives and strategies, supports VSU’s institutional mission and the University System of Georgia’s mission for comprehensive universities. 

The story above demonstrates VSU's commitment to meeting the following goals: 

Goal 1: Recruit, retain, and graduate a quality, diverse student population and prepare students for roles as leaders in a global society.

Goal 3: Promote student, employee, alumni, retiree, and community engagement in our mission.

Goal 4: Foster an environment of creativity and scholarship.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/planning/strategic-plan.php to learn more.