October 2015: '44 Plays for 44 Presidents'

What - "44 Plays for 44 Presidents" written by Andy Bayiates, Sean Benjamin, Genevra Gallo-Bayiates, Chloe Johnston and Karen Weinberg, and directed by Brian EG Cook When - October 2-11; Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. Where - UAA Mainstage Theater (Fine Arts Building, Room 220) Advance tickets - $9 for UAA students; $11 for non-UAA students/military/seniors; $16 for the general public. Available at UAATix.com and CenterTix.com. Seating is general admission.

As another presidential election cycle begins, the UAA Department of Theatre and Dance invites you on a madcap ride through the past 226 years of presidential history. Created by the Neo-Futurists in Chicago, "44 Plays for 44 Presidents" features every one of our nation's presidents in his own short play, with some of the best and worst of American history highlighted: victories in war, landmark legislation, scandals and assassinations. At times funny and others poignant, the play shows that "the history of the Presidency is in many ways the history of our people."

"44 Plays for 44 Presidents" is directed by Brian EG Cook, Ph.D., UAA's new assistant professor of theatre. Brian comes to us from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he headed the directing concentration and directed productions such as "Nickel and Dimed," "Tartuffe," "An Inspector Calls," and "The Ash Girl."

Cook joins Ty Hewitt and Nova Cunningham to UAA's theatre faculty. Tom Skore and David Edgecombe retired this last spring, and have set off to warmer climates and new adventures with their families. Their work with UAA Theatre and Dance helped shape theatre in Alaska for more than twenty years, mentoring hundreds of artisans who have gone on to produce great theatre both at home and abroad. Their bittersweet departure has given us the opportunity to reinvent ourselves and we're certain our three new directors are up to the challenge.

For ticket information, please visit UAATix.com or call the Fine Arts Box Office at (907) 786-4TIX.

September Archive