Not long before he left his job as director of Ohio University’s School of Theatre, William Fisher received in the mail a script for a play called “Seven.” Along with it was a letter from playwright Paula Cizmar asking him to consider producing the play, which she and six others had written about seven women who had made extraordinary contributions to human rights in their home countries.
The script sat on Fisher’s desk for a while.
Then last year, after Butler Theatre produced a staged reading of the play “The Exonerated,” Fisher took out the “Seven” script and read it through.
“I really liked the idea of doing something current and something about current issues or people or events in this straightforward way,” said Fisher, now the Theatre Department chair at Butler. “This is one of the important aspects of theater to me — doing plays about subjects that matter right now.”
It also coincided with his desire to further connect with the Indianapolis professional theater community, so he approached Bryan Fonseca at the Phoenix Theatre about co-producing a staged reading performed by a company of the Phoenix’s professionals and Butler Theatre students. That staged reading will take place at 8 p.m. Sept. 5-8 at Butler University’s Lilly Hall Studio Theatre. (Tickets are $15 for the public, $5 for students. Call (317) 940-9247 for more information.)
The history of the play:
In 2006, Vital Voices Global Partnership President Alyse Nelson connected seven award-winning playwrights with seven women from its large international network of women leaders. The woman are: Hafsat Abiola, Nigeria; Farida Azizi, Afghanistan; Annabella De Leon, Guatemala; Marina Pisklakova-Parker, Russia; Mukhtar Mai, Pakistan; Inez McCormack, Northern Ireland; and Mu Sochua, Cambodia — all of whom worked to improve the lives of women in their countries, often against daunting odds.
Their stories were captured and turned into monologues for Seven by playwrights Anna Deavere Smith, Ruth Margraff, Gail Kriegel, Paula Cizmar, Susan Yankowitz, Carol K. Mack and Catherine Filloux.
The Butler-Phoenix staged reading will feature what Fisher describes as “a relatively minimal level of production and staging” – perhaps some slides and video. He is bringing in a guest sound designer, Sharath Patel, a former student of his who served as the sound designer of the original production and the international touring productions of “Seven.”
“These are compelling real people and real stories,” Fisher said. “Our aim is to present theater that inspires and moves people, and, as always, to produce a performance that people want to watch. As a department, we are committed to theatre that is steeped in important questions and the actuality of our world.”
Theater
Play showcases ‘Seven’ women’s contributions to human rights
- Theater
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Community Theatre concludes season with ‘Social Security’
Community Theatre of Terre Haute’s main stage season finale opens this Friday, with the hit Broadway comedy “Social Security,” directed by Sonni Crawford.
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Community Theatre to stage auditions for ‘8: The Play’
Community Theatre of Terre Haute will stage auditions for its summer performance at 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Titled “8: The Play,” this readers-theater play is a peek inside the trial of Perry v. Schwarzenegger, the federal court case for marriage of homosexual couples.
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Theater listings: May 23, 2013
May 31-June 29 — “ZANNA DON’T,” at Theatre on the Square Main Stage, Indianapolis, times vary. Tickets: $25, $20 seniors/students/active-duty military, www.tots.org.July 5-July 27 — “FLESH & BLOOD,” at Theatre on the Square Main Stage, Indianapolis, times vary. Tickets: $25, $20 seniors/students/active-duty military, www.tots.org.
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Theater listings: May 16, 2013
Today-June 1 — “GREATER TUNA,” at Myers Dinner Theatre, Hillsboro. Dates and times vary. Tickets: dinner and show $36 and $25 students, show only $20, 765-798-4902, ext. 2.
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Theater listings, May 9, 2013
Today-Saturday — “INTO THE WOODS,” at Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, Carmel, 7 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $44 adults, $34 ages 17 and younger.
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Murder on ‘Disoriented Express’ on track for May 31
There’s been a murder on the Disoriented Express, and a variety of criminal minds have been called in to help — Sherlock Holmes, Charlie Chan, Lieutenant Columbo, Barney Fife and even Charlie’s Angels.
Will they solve the crime first or will you? -
TH North to stage student-written play on May 9
Terre Haute North Vigo High School students will present an original black box-style theater production of “Speak Now” at 6:30 p.m. on May 9 at the school’s auditorium.
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Shawnee Theatre’s 54th season to debut with musical review ‘The Taffetas’ on June 13
The Shawnee Theatre of Bloomfield will open its 54th season with the 1950’s musical review, “The Taffetas!” on June 13.
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Auditions May 20-21 for ‘The Wizard of Oz’
The Maple Avenue Players plan to hold auditions at 7 p.m. May 20 and 21 in the Family Life Center at 12th Street and Maple Avenue in Terre Haute for a summer production of “The Wizard of Oz.”
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Summer theater workshops at Lincoln Trail accepting registrations
Registration is under way for Lincoln Trail College’s Children’s Summer Theater.
The theater workshop will be conducted from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday, June 3 to 28. Students entering grades one through nine this fall are invited to audition for roles in this summer’s production, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Performances will be at 7 p.m. June 28 and 29. -
Scenes from Robin Hood adaptation, “The Untold Story of Little John” April 21 at Children’s Museum
We all know the story of Robin Hood, the man who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor and defeated the evil Sheriff of Nottingham, freeing his people from the tyrannical reign of Prince John. We also know how this could not have been accomplished without Little John, Robin Hood’s loyal side-kick who stayed by him through thick and thin. But do we know what happened next?
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ISU play concentrates on river theme
The Indiana State University theater department continues its presentation of “Spoon River Anthology” today through Saturday beginning at 7:30 p.m. each day in the Dreiser Hall Theater. Tickets must be purchased in advance from the New Theater ticket office.
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Tickets to ISU’s presentation of Spoon River Anthology go on sale April 8
The Indiana State University theater department will present “Spoon River Anthology” April 10-13 beginning at 7:30 p.m. each day in the Dreiser Hall Theater.
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‘Red Velvet Cake War’ to open Friday at Community Theatre
Community Theatre of Terre Haute’s next offering, “The Red Velvet Cake War” is set to open Friday, with additional performances on Saturday, Sunday and April 12-14.
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Theater/Film Listings: March 28, 2013
Today-May 12 — “MENOPAUSE: THE MUSICAL,” at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, Indianapolis. Tickets: $37.50 to $62.50, 317-872-9664.
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Theater listings: March 21, 2013
Ticket Sales
April 26-May 11 — “INTO THE WOODS,” at Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, Carmel, 7 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $44 adults, $34 17 and younger. -
'Quartet' at Honey Creek West 8 March 1
The comedy/drama “Quartet” opens March 1 in Honey Creek West 8 behind Honey Creek Mall in Terre Haute. Shows are at 7:40 and 10:05 p.m.
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New Play Festival continues through Saturday at Indiana State
The Indiana State University theater department is hosting its New Play Festival through Saturday. The department will stage three new productions during the annual showcase, themed “Intriguing Journeys.”
- THEATER: Feb. 14, 2013
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Parke Players to present Winter Follies variety show Saturday
Parke Players will present the fifth annual Winter Follies variety show at 7 p.m. Saturday at the historic Ritz Theater in Rockville.
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Theater listings: Jan. 24, 2013
Today-Saturday — “OFFICE HOURS,” at Theatre on the Square, Indianapolis. Tickets: $25 adults and $20 seniors, students and active military, 317-685-8687.
Today-Feb. 3 — “ARSENIC & OLD LACE,” at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, Indianapolis. Tickets: $37.50 to $62.50, 317-872-9664. -
Theater listing: Jan. 17, 2013
Today-Sunday — “JERSEY BOYS,” at Old National Centre, Indianapolis, 7:30 p.m., today, 8 p.m. Friday and 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday. Tuesday-Jan. 27 shows canceled, and tickets can be exchanged through original purchase point. Call 800-793-7469.
Today-Jan. 26 — “OFFICE HOURS,” at Theatre on the Square, Indianapolis. Tickets: $25 adults and $20 seniors, students and active military. Call 317-685-8687. -
Auditions set for Children’s Theatre production
Children’s Theatre of Terre Haute Inc. will bring Mark Twain’s classic story “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” to musical life in this Broadway adaptation one of America’s favorite books.
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Audition for ‘The Constant Wife’ at Terre Haute Community Theatre
Community Theatre of Terre Haute will stage auditions for “The Constant Wife” by W. Somerset Maugham at 7 p.m. on Jan. 2 and 3.
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Clay County theater adds ‘Love Letters’
Community Theatre of Clay County Inc. has added a theatrical performance to its current 2012-13 season.
For one performance only, the theater group will present “Love Letters,” a Pulitzer Prize for Drama nominated play by A.R. Gurney. -
Youth, ages 6-15, invited to audition for ‘OZ!’
Community Theatre of Clay County’s upcoming auditions for its Young Actors’ performance of “OZ!” will be at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 2 and 3. Auditions will be at The Lark Theater at 8 E. National Ave., in Brazil.
- Theater: Dec. 20, 2012
- Theater: Dec. 13, 2013
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‘The Nerd’ opens Friday in Vincennes
Comedy takes center stage on Friday when the Old Town Players community theatre opens the hilarious play, “The Nerd.”
- Theater: Dec. 6, 2012
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