GEVA PRESENTS
CollegeFest

Theatre groups from three local universities perform in the Nextstage

2010-03-03

Media Contact: Dawn Kellogg
Communications Manager
(585) 232-1366 ext. 3059
dkellogg@gevatheatre.org

March 3, 2010. Rochester, N.Y. – Ever since TheatreFest (September 2007 – June 2008), the Nextstage has been a venue hosting many of the cultural delights that this area has to offer. From April 1 – April 18, Geva is delighted to host theatre groups from three local universities in the first ever CollegeFest, celebrating the excellent theatrical work done at our local institutions of higher learning.

The University of Rochester’s International Theatre Program will take audiences from mayhem to magic with Tony Kushner’s The Illusion directed by Nigel Maister, artistic director of the International Theatre Program. Freely adapted from a 17th century comic-drama by French dramatist Pierre Corneille, Kushner’s The Illusion questions the true nature of love, loss, and reality. Set almost entirely in a mysterious cave, The Illusion follows a guilt-ridden father’s attempt to reconnect with his estranged and disinherited son through three visions conjured up by a well-meaning magician. The Illusion originated in 1636 as Corneille’s L’illusion comique (The Theatrical Illusion), a comedy about the delights of the theater. In 1988, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner freely adapted the play, while incorporating his own interpretations on commitment and betrayal. The play has a special connection to the U of R as Kushner’s mother, Sylvia Deutscher Kushner, was herself a graduate of the Eastman School of Music.

SUNY Brockport presents The Story by Tracey Scott Wilson. Journalistic integrity gets a workout in this gripping, fast-paced drama. When the murder of a Caucasian teacher occurs in an African-American neighborhood, one reporter locks horns with her editor as they battle over how to cover the story. But just what is the story? The play was inspired by the Washington Post reporter who received a Pulitzer Prize for her story on an inner-city youth, but forced to return the prize when the story was proven to be fabricated. The Story contains adult language.

Nazareth College presents Kindertransport by Diane Samuels. Based on autobiographical accounts from Kindertransport children, this is the story of Eva Schlesinger who was evacuated to England in 1938 as part of the Kindertransport rescue operation with other Jewish children. Directed by Patti Lewis, this play explores Eva’s struggle, at four significant points in her life, to reconcile her German Jewish heritages, the pain of her experience as a Kindertransport child and her desire to become "English" like her surrogate mother.

CollegeFest is sponsored by Nazareth College.

COLLEGEFEST PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
The Illusion produced by University of Rochester
Thursday, April 1 @ 7:00pm
Friday, April 2 @ 7:00pm
Saturday, April 3@ 7pm
Sunday, April 4 @ 1:30pm

The Story, produced by SUNY Brockport
Thursday, April 8 @ 7pm
Friday, April 9 @ 7pm
Saturday, April 10 @ 7pm
Sunday, April 11 @ 1:30pm

Kindertransport produced by Nazareth College
Thursday, April 15 @ 7pm
Friday, April 16 @ 7pm
Saturday, April 17 @ 7pm
Sunday, April 18 @ 1:30pm

TICKET PRICES: $15
Three-Play package - $36


RESERVATIONS: 232-Geva or via the website: www.gevatheatre.org

LOCATION: Geva Theatre Center, 75 Woodbury Blvd, Rochester, NY 14607

GEVA THEATRE CENTER

Geva Theatre Center is Rochester's leading professional theatre and the most attended regional theatre in New York State. Founded in 1972, Geva attracts over 170,000 patrons annually, including more than 16,000 students. The 552-seat Elaine P. Wilson Mainstage offers a wide variety of shows, from musicals to American and world classics.

The 180-seat Ron & Donna Fielding Nextstage is home to Geva's own series of cutting-edge drama, comedy and musical theatre; Geva Comedy Improv; Geva's New Play Reading Series and the Hornet's Nest - an innovative play-reading series facilitating community-wide discussion on controversial topics. The Nextstage also hosts visiting companies of both local and international renown.

Geva Theatre Center offers a wide variety of educational, outreach and literary programs, nurturing audiences and artists alike. For the past fourteen years the organization has been led by Artistic Director Mark Cuddy.

The University of Rochester (www.rochester.edu) is one of the nation’s leading private universities. Located in Rochester, N.Y., the University gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty through its unique cluster-based curriculum. Its College, School of Arts and Sciences, and Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences are complemented by the Eastman School of Music, Simon School of Business, Warner School of Education, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, and the Memorial Art Gallery.




The College at Brockport is a true learning community in which students, faculty and staff all contribute to and celebrate the success of others. Every student is recognized as a dynamic, multi-dimensional individual rich with promise. Through the many ways there are to learn, contribute and excel there, they help to awaken the scholar, the athlete, the artist, and the entrepreneur within. Their students are busy – on campus, in the community, and around the world – being active scholars and engaged citizens.

Their accomplished faculty and dedicated staff have the same commitment to student success that their predecessors had in 1835, the year the College was founded. The 464-acre campus includes classrooms, labs, performance spaces and athletic facilities that meet the latest standards for functionality, design and enjoyment.

As part of the State University of New York system of higher education, the College at Brockport represents one of the greatest values in education today. Committed to accessibility and excellence, they prepare our graduates to lead lives of contribution and meaning. Alumni go on to serve their communities in every profession and avocation. They continue to be ambassadors for the College through their tireless volunteering, generous financial support and active student mentoring. Visit www.brockport.edu.




The Nazareth College department of theatre arts stages four productions each season. For its 2010 edition, the Princeton Review named Nazareth College 6th Best College Theater in the nation – up from 9th Best College Theater in the 2009 edition. Nazareth College earned this distinction prior to the renovation of Callahan Theater based on the quality of the theatre arts program including creative and production teams, actors, technical expertise, set design and costumes. The quality of Nazareth productions will be greatly enhanced by the new proscenium stage, fly system, lighting and other upgrades to the Arts Center.

Founded in 1924, Nazareth College is a coeducational college with undergraduate and graduate studies in the liberal arts and sciences and professional programs in health and human services, education, and management. The College is located on 150 scenic acres near Rochester, New York, and currently enrolls approximately 2,000 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students. Nazareth has a strong commitment to experience-based learning and civic engagement. In the past decade, Nazareth has produced 18 Fulbright recipients and two Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowships. For more information on the College, visit www.naz.edu.

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