[NEohioPAL]Usher in Spring with KSU's School of Theatre & Dance's 20th Anniversary Season

[ELISABETH MADDEN]

USHER IN SPRING WITH THE SCHOOL OF THEATRE & DANCE=92S 20TH ANNIVERSARY
A semester of special guests, student works and a world premiere

Kent, Ohio =96 Kent State University=92s School of Theatre & Dance=20
continues to celebrate its 20th anniversary during the spring semester=20
of 2004.  This exciting semester will include special guest, award=20
winning composer, Stephen Schwartz, newly developed student works and a=20
world premiere by Ping Chong, Michael Rohd & Company.  Stephen=20
Schwartz=92s CHILDRERN OF EDEN begins the New Year with a touching look=20
at the relationship between children and parents that has spanned all=20
time.   Dance Majors and Minors display their talent in the STUDENT=20
DANCE FESTIVAL and Theatre Majors and Minors do the same during the=20
STUDENT THEATRE FESTIVAL.  The KENT DANCE ENSEMBLE presents its annual=20
concert in April.  The season closes with the world premiere of BLIND=20
NESS: "The Irresistible Light of Encounter" presented by Ping Chong,=20
Michael Rohd & Company. =20

The New Year is ushered in by Stephen Schwartz=92s CHILDREN OF EDEN. =20
CHILDREN OF EDEN is a touching and comical look at the age-old conflict=20
between parents and children.  Composer Stephen Schwartz will present a=20
free pre-show discussion as a part of the School=92s =93Spotlight on=20
Success=94 series on Monday, February 23 at 6:30 PM in Wright-Curtis=20
Theatre.  This event is free but reservations are recommended as space=20
is limited.  Directed by Porthouse Theatre Artistic Director, Terri=20
Kent, CHILDREN OF EDEN runs February 20 =96 29, 2004 in E. Turner Stump=20
Theatre.  Dance Majors and Minors take center stage March 12 =96 14, 2004=
=20
during STUDENT DANCE FESTIVAL.  STUDENT DANCE FESTIVAL is danced,=20
choreographed and designed by students in Wright-Curtis Theatre. =20
Theatre Majors and Minors then have a chance to direct, act or design=20
during the STUDENT THEATRE FESTIVAL, March 16 =96 18, 2004 in B005.  The=20
KENT DANCE ENSEMBLE will perform their annual concert April 1 - 4,=20
2004.  This KSU student touring company will present its annual concert=20
of modern dance & jazz choreography in Wright-Curtis Theatre.  The=20
world premiere of Ping Chong & Company=92s BLIND NESS: "The Irresistible=20
Light of Encounter" presented by the Roe Green Visiting Director Series=20
will premiere April 16 =96 25, 2004.  BLIND NESS: "The Irresistible Light=
=20
of Encounter" is a multi-disciplinary theatre work that examines the=20
legacy of colonialism in Africa and will be presented in E. Turner=20
Stump Theatre.  Friday, April 23 join the cast and crew of BLIND NESS=20
for a special reception following the performance.  Tickets for the=20
performance and reception are $75 for an individual and $125 per=20
couple.   =20

School of Theatre & Dance performances are Tuesday =96 Saturday at 8 PM=20
and Sundays at 2:30 PM.  There will be no performance of Children of=20
Eden on Tuesday, February 24.  There will be a performance on Monday,=20
February 23 to coincide with Stephen Schwartz=92s appearance.  Theatres=20
are located in the Music & Speech Center on the main Kent State=20
University campus.  Tickets for CHILDREN OF EDEN, STUDENT DANCE=20
FESTIVAL and KENT DANCE ENSEMBLE are $10 for adults, $8 for Seniors,=20
KSU Alumni and KSU Faculty/Staff and $7 for students under 18 or with=20
any valid school ID.  Discounts are available for groups of ten or=20
more.  Prices for the world premiere of Ping Chong & Company=92s BLIND=20
NESS: "The Irresistible Light of Encounter" are $25 for Adults, $20 for=20
Seniors, KSU Alumni and KSU Faculty/Staff and $7 for students under 18=20
or with any valid school ID.  Discounts are available for groups of ten=20
or more.  STUDENT THEATRE FESTIVAL is free but reservations are=20
required as seating is limited.  The School of Theatre & Dance box=20
office opens on February 2, 2004.  Box-office hours are 12 PM =96 5 PM,=20
Mondays =96 Fridays, 3 PM =96 7 PM, Saturdays during the run of the show=20
and one hour before performance times.  Tickets can be purchased by=20
calling 330-672-2497.  The box office accepts Visa, MasterCard, and=20
Discover.  Tickets purchased by phone must be held with a credit card. =20
For more information on the School of Theatre & Dance visit us at=20
www.theatre.kent.edu.

Elisabeth Madden
Managing Director
emadden at kent.edu
330-672-2497 (Box Office)
330-672-0103 (Phone)
330-672-2889 (Fax)


-------------------------------
Elisabeth Madden
Managing Director
Porthouse Theatre
KSU's School of Theatre & Dance
emadden at kent.edu
330-672-0103