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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (8/06)
Contact: Marjorie Lyons Playhouse, 318-869-5242, or Lynn Stewart or Kelsey Johnson, Centenary News Service, 318-841-7265

Centenary’s Marjorie Lyons Playhouse Announces 2006-07 Season, Adopts Innovative Changes for Theatre

Don Hooper, Chair of the Theatre and Speech Department at Centenary College

SHREVEPORT, LA— Marjorie Lyons Playhouse at Centenary College has lined up performances for its 2006-07 season:

  • “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
    by William Shakespeare; directed by Heather Hooper
    Sept. 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 & 30 at 8 p.m.; Sept. 24 at 2 p.m.
  • “Some Girl(s)“
    by Neil LaBute; directed and produced exclusively by students
    Nov. 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 & 11 at 8 p.m..; Nov. 5 at 2 p.m.
  • Premiere production: TBD
    Feb. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 & 10 at 8 p.m.; Feb. 4 at 2 p.m.
  • “Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical” (pending copyright permission)
    words by James Rado & Gerome Ragni; music by Galt MacDermot
    March 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 & 31 at 8 p.m.; March 25 at 2 p.m.

In commenting about the rationale for the season’s picks, Don Hooper, chair of the Theatre and Speech department, says that the Playhouse is undergoing structural changes to improve students’ accessibility to the theatrical experience.

According to Hooper, the Theatre Department’s policy is now much friendlier toward student actors. Only students (major or non-major) can audition for a play as opposed to roles being taken by community actors. This decision has been met with positive feedback from both the College and Shreveport-Bossier community, says Hooper. “Students like it because they’re given much more exposure on the stage.”

Another change is MLP’s treatment of musicals. Musicals used to be relegated to summers, when most students are typically not in town. To remedy this, the theatre department will now offer a spring musical every other year.

Students will also work with a living playwright every year to produce a premiere play and expand the creative process, says Hooper.

“And we’ll be bringing in guest directors and other professionals to lead regular workshops on how to audition for a play and other practical theatre topics like taking a good headshot and choosing an agent.”

Perhaps the most innovative approach is the theatre’s adoption of an annual all-student production, allowing undergraduates to engage in leadership roles, including directing, playwriting and designing.

For more information and to reserve tickets, contact Marjorie Lyons Playhouse at 318-869-5242, or visit www.centenary.edu/playhouse.

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