UNL’s University Theatre Concludes Season With "IN THE NEXT ROOM, or the vibrator play"

Photo of scene frA scene from "IN THE NEXT ROOM, or the vibrator play." Performances begin  April 17 at 7:30 PM in  the Howell Theatre
Photo of scene frA scene from "IN THE NEXT ROOM, or the vibrator play." Performances begin April 17 at 7:30 PM in the Howell Theatre

UNL’s University Theatre Concludes Season With "IN THE NEXT ROOM, or the vibrator play"

calendar icon07 Apr 2014    

University Theatre, the academic production program of the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film, Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, University of Nebraska–Lincoln concludes its 2013-2014 season with Sarah Ruhl’s, IN THE NEXT ROOM, or the vibrator play. The production is directed by guest director, Jeremy Skidmore (see biography below). Performances are April 17-19 and 23-26 at 7:30 PM and April 27 at 2:00 PM in Howell Theatre, first floor Temple Building, 12th & R streets. Tickets are $16, $14 faculty/staff and senior citizens, $10 students with ID. Tickets are available at the Lied Center Ticket Office, 301 North 12th Street, 402-472-4747 or 800-432-3231 from 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Friday and one hour prior to performances in the Temple Lobby, or on line at www.unltheatretickets.com.

At the dawn of the age of electricity, Dr. Givings (Ryan T. Rabstejnek) tests a new apparatus to treat female “hysteria.” In the Victorian era, many misperceptions prevailed about female issues such as motherhood, breastfeeding and their role as a marriage partner. Dr. Givings new therapy for women affects his entire household as his wife (Lauren M. Huston), who tends to her newborn child in the room adjacent to the doctor’s laboratory, begins to examine the nature of her own marriage and what it truly means to love someone.

A provocative and touching comedy that goes to the heart of intimacy and equality.

The production is created by graduate student Joshua ‘Raj’ Rajaee (scenic), Associate Professor Janice Stauffer (costumes), Associate Professor Ed Stauffer (technical direction), undergraduate students Joe Shea (lighting), Lucas Dunwoody (sound), and is stage managed by undergraduate Savannah Kurtz. Assistant Director is undergraduate Clare Carl. Cast members are undergraduates Ryan T. Rabstejnek and Lauren M. Huston as Dr. and Mrs. Givings, Meghan Modrovsky and David Michael Fox and Mr. and Mrs. Daldry, Brenna Hill as Annie and Will J. Voelker IV and Leonard Irving. The role of Elizabeth is played by Crashonda Edwards, a guest artist who is a member of Actors’ Equity Association. (See biography below). Mr. Rajaee is fulfilling requirements for his Master of Fine Arts degrees with his responsibilities to this production.

Patrons should be aware that this production contains adult themes and language, sexual situations and nudity, and may not be suitable for younger audience members.

Jeremy Skidmore (Director) has been based in Washington, DC for the last thirteen years. In that time he served for two years as the President and co-Founder of the Capital Talent Agency, two years as the Artistic Producer of the SourceFestival, and six years as the Artistic Director of Theater Alliance. Outside of Washington, Jeremy has directed, produced or taught in North Carolina, Delaware, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, London, Oslo, Galway, Kilimanjaro, Tokyo, Macau and Tai Pei. His productions have been nominated for 34 Helen Hayes Awards. He is a Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and has a BFA in directing from the North Carolina School of the Arts and an MBA from American University.

Crashonda Edwards (Elizabeth) is so pleased to be a visiting artist at the University of Nebraska. Her regional theatre credits include The Hampton Years at Theater J in Washington, DC , Race at Theater J, All's Well that Ends Well at The Shakespeare Theatre Company, The Atheists Tragedy at The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Fahrenheit 451, and Intimate Apparel. Ms. Edwards was recently in the film Savannah: The River Story starring Jim Caviezel and Chiwetel Ejifor. She holds a BFA from Savannah College of Art and Design, and an MFA from George Washington University. To follow her career visit www.CrashondaEdwards.com