The University of Central Arkansas Theatre will present the play, Lysistrata, by Aristophanes in the Bridges/Larson Theatre of the Snow Fine Arts Center on the campus. The production will be Oct. 30-31 at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 1 at 2 p.m., and Nov. 6-7 at 7:30 p.m.
In the play, the main character, Lysistrata, leads the women of her day in a war against their husbands as the women devise a plan to force the men to stop fighting.
Senior Bre Baker will play the lead role, Lysistrata. “This role and this show has pushed me to bounds that I didn’t even know I could go both theatrically and academically…This is a hilarious show that is spectacular in everyway,” says Baker, a Little Rock native. “There’s a nice undertone about giving a voice to the voiceless and challenging the box that society puts us in as individuals. I love the womanpower of the show and that Lysistrata is going against a patriarchal society. I love the strength that she has—she is inspiring other women to be strong. I’m very grateful that UCA is putting something up that has such a strong leading woman.”
Other senior students from the theatre department also take major roles in bringing Lysistrata to the stage. Cabot native Samantha Weldon is in charge of the set design. Lighting design is by Josh Anderson from Lonoke, and stage management is by Xander Udochi from Conway.
“Twenty-five hundred years ago the Athenian playwright, Aristophanes, staged the issues of war and gender in the hilariously bawdy and risqué manner of Greek old comedy,” states director, Dr. Kevin Thomas Browne, associate professor and academic director of the UCA Theatre. “We hope our production entertains and triggers strong reactions to its timeless themes.”
Shauna Colclasure Meador, associate professor and UCA Theatre Production and Budget director, is in charge of costume design.
Tickets are $10 each for the general public. UCA students, staff, and faculty receive two free tickets when they present a current UCA ID. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made by calling (501) 450-3265 or by visiting UCA Ticket Central located in the Reynolds Performance Hall box office. More information is available online at www.uca.edu/theatre or by contacting Melissa Kordsmeier, UCA Theatre business manager at mkordsmeier@uca.edu or (501) 450-5092.
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