Diana Wortham Theatre

The TEMPEST

UNCA/Diana Wortham Theatre
April 9, 2008  7:00pm

"The Tempest Project" presents Shakespeare's story of "The Tempest" with the poetry of W.H. Auden's "The Sea and the Mirror" in a performance using puppetry, masks and object theater. After being usurped of his Dukedom in Milan and exiled to the open sea with his young daughter, Prospero and his daughter land on a remote island. They manage to survive through Prospero's magical powers and knowledge from books provided by his friend. Prospero and his allied spirits of the island conjure a great tempest that brings his past enemies and his future hope to the island. He manipulates them all through a magical game of tactics and the outcome is surprising, even to Prospero.

Object theater is a new, European theater technique, combining imagery, puppetry and choreography. It is intended to activate the imagination and invite audiences to invest in the imaginary world created by the handling and manipulation of household objects and other raw materials such as rope, fabric, metal and pieces of wood.  

The production is created and directed by Laura Facciponti and Pamella O'Connor. Facciponti is an associate professor of drama at UNC Asheville and O'Connor, a specialist in puppetry and object theater, is a guest teacher and guest artist at UNC Asheville. Senior drama major Ariel Vetter designed the sets. Costumes were designed by UNC Asheville senior drama major Katie Fuller, and Drama Department Chair and Associate Professor Rob Bowen designed the lighting.

The UNC Asheville student cast includes Drew Collins, Chip Davis, Sydney de Briel, Ash Devine, Sarah Erickson, Sarah Forbes, Skyler Goff, Rachel Gordon, Kathlyn Johnson, Cody Magouirk, Forrest Mason, Caitlin Moseley, Cole Pettus, Mark Shell, and Jacob Walas.

For more information, call UNC Asheville's Drama Department at (828)251-6610.