Yale Bulletin and Calendar

May 11, 2007|Volume 35, Number 28|Two-Week Issue

Full-length plays by School of Drama playwrights Tarell Alvin McCraney and Amy Herzog will be produced during the festival, which also features eight one-act plays.

Talents of drama students
showcased in Carlotta Festival

New plays by student playwrights at the School of Drama -- and directed, designed, acted and managed by fellow students there -- will be showcased during the second Carlotta Festival of New Plays, May 11-20.

The festival is presented by the School of Drama to highlight the vital present and promising future of the American theater.

"Though only in its second year, the Carlotta Festival already feels like a fixture on the New Haven arts scene," says Richard Nelson, chair of the playwriting department. "Here is a celebration not only of the thrilling talents of our emerging playwrights, but of all the wonderfully talented artists who make the Carlotta such a joyous event."

Nelson is among eight faculty members in the playwriting department. The others who teach the craft are John Guare, Lisa Kron, Tina Landau, Lindsay Law, Lynn Nottage, Rebecca Rugg and Derek Walcott.

"Seeing one's work onstage is one of the most important learning experiences for an emerging writer," says Rugg, who is associate chair of the playwriting department.

During the festival, two fully produced, full-length plays and a workshop performance of eight one-act plays will rotate in repertory at the New Theater, 1156 Chapel St.

The full-length plays are "The Wendy Play" and "Marcus, or The Secret of Sweet."

"The Wendy Play," a comedy by Amy Herzog, tells of a young woman who takes a summer job teaching theater at a high school arts conservatory, where she writes a play for the students to perform. When Wendy's twist on "A Midsummer Night's Dream" brings her up against petty politics and neurotic colleagues, she digs in her heels to defend teenage curiosity. Wendy quickly discovers that although she may be the teacher, she has a lot to learn. The play will be directed by Kara-Lynn Vaeni.

Since "The Wendy Play" requires teenage actors, the Yale School of Drama is collaborating with ACES Educational Center for the Arts (ECA), an inter-district magnet high school for the arts in New Haven. Thirteen ECA theater students, whose ages range from 15 to 18 years old, have been cast in the production.

"Marcus, or The Secret of Sweet," by Tarell Alvin McCraney, is a coming-of-age story set in a small urban enclave on a Louisiana bayou. Marcus is a teenaged boy whose mother wishes he would remain a child, and whose friends are bewildered by his attraction to men. His life is not so sweet: Beset by desire, insecurity, fear and love, Marcus also finds himself bedeviled by ghosts and visions from African myth rising from the bayou waters. Jessi D. Hill will direct.

"Speaking Our Mind" comprises one-act plays by Mattie Brickman, Lauren Feldman, John Fisher, Dorothy Fortenberry, Amy Herzog, Matt Moses, Gonzalo Rodriguez Risco and Jennifer Tuckett. Their plays, inspired by the autobiographical performance art of their teacher Lisa Kron, reveal personal stories "brimming with laughter, vulnerability and triumph," say the festival organizers. Tea Alagic will direct the workshop presentations of these plays.

The Carlotta Festival is named for Carlotta Monterey, the widow of Eugene O'Neill. She chose Yale University Press as the publisher of O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey Into Night." The proceeds from the publication of this American classic support playwriting at Yale.

Guests are invited to see all three Carlotta Festival events over three nights during the opening weekend or to see all three events in two days. Tickets for individual events are also available. The schedule follows.

Friday, May 11, 8 p.m. -- "Speaking Our Mind"; Saturday, May 12, 8 p.m. -- "The Wendy Play"; Sunday, May 13, 8 p.m. -- "Marcus, or The Secret of Sweet"' Tuesday, May 15, 2 p.m. -- "Speaking Our Mind" and 8 p.m. -- "The Wendy Play"; Wednesday, May 16, 8 p.m. -- "Marcus, or The Secret of Sweet"; Thursday, May 17, 2 p.m. -- "Marcus, or The Secret of Sweet" and 8 p.m. -- "Speaking Our Mind"; Friday, May 18, 8 p.m. -- "The Wendy Play"; Saturday, May 19, 2 p.m. -- "Speaking Our Mind" and 8 p.m. -- "Marcus, or The Secret of Sweet"; and Sunday, May 20, 2 p.m. -- "The Wendy Play."

A pass to all three Carlotta Festival events is $45; $30 for students and seniors with I.D. Tickets to individual events are $18; $12 for students and seniors. To purchase a pass or single tickets, call (203) 432-1234 or visit yalerep.edu/drama.

T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

Co-evolution of genitalia in waterfowl reveals 'war between the sexes'

Study of Galápagos tortoises' DNA may locate mate for 'Lonesome George'

Eighteen new Yale World Fellows named

Health clinic staff among the winners of Elm-Ivy Awards

Bringing a philosophical perspective to palliative care

University breaks ground for its 'most green building'

Child Study Center recognized for leadership in autism research

Yale senior Rebekah Emanuel wins Simon Fellowship for Noble Purpose

Using molecular 'nanosyringe,' researchers demonstrate . . .

Irish writer's play about Siamese twins wins Yale Drama Series award

When it comes to grades, giving is no easier than receiving, says panel

Talents of drama students showcased in Carlotta Festival

Biophysicist Steitz honored for ribosome research with Gairdner Award

CCL renovations on schedule; lawn to be used for Commencement

Project aims to improve financial services for those living in poverty

Pastoral leadership skills are focus of Center for Faith and Culture event

MacMillan Center honors the work of three Yale faculty members

Yale has highest number of sports teams honored . . .

WORKSPACE ENHANCEMENTS AT THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

Adding some sunshine to a windowless office

Creating a tranquil space for nursing mothers

Decking the hallways with quilted artworks