Ravens
TheatreUSF presents Ravens, the 2014 British International Theatre production.
Ravens
Presented by the BRIT Program
Spring 2014
Directed by Helen Tennison
Playwright: Kate Kerrow
Sound Design and Composition: Matt Eaton
Video and Projection Design: Eva Auster
Performance Dates & Times:
Feb. 20-22 and Feb. 26-March 1 at 8 p.m.
Feb. 23 and March 2 at 3 p.m
Venue:
TAR 120, inside the Theatre Centre, USF Tampa Campus
Director: Helen Tennison
Writer: Kate Kerrow
An original play exploring the lives of three courageous women across history against the backdrop of an ever-changing America. This piece will incorporate movement and video projection in the storytelling. Story created by the company of student actors with Helen Tennison and Kate Kerrow. Written by Kate Kerrow; directed by Helen Tennison, director of last year’s Titus Andronicus.
NOTES FROM THE DIRECTOR
When I was approached with the initial brief for Ravens I was hugely excited for three reasons. The first reason was that I was absolutely delighted to be able to work with all the students and faculty at USF again. The second reason was the opportunity to make a piece about women’s experience. The theatrical cannon offers greater visibility and diversity in its portrayal of the male meaning that there is a wealth of unexplored female experience just waiting to be staged.
Finally, the devising process is inspiring, deeply creative, and particularly empowering for young actors. You begin with no script and the piece emerges gradually through the collaborative work of all involved--anything could happen! All of the themes explored and characters created came from the ideas of the group as a whole and all the choreography and scenes that you see in Ravens are based on improvisations created with the actors over the last six weeks. During these improvisations we found a collective interest in the symbolic nature of the bird. We loved that birds captured the essence of freedom, yet we wanted to challenge the traditional image of women as fragile, beautiful birds - just as the characters in our stories challenge or are challenged by the traditional gender identities assigned to them. We chose to call the show Ravens because in Native American lore, the Raven symbolizes transgression, transformation and empowerment.
Supported by the British International Theatre Endowment.
CAST LIST
The narrative occurs in three interwoven eras: 1858, 1926 and 2014.
1858 THE SCHAFER HOME, A SMALL FAMILY FARM JUST OUTSIDE KNOXVILLE, EAST TENNESSEE.
- Ellen Schafer, Eldest Sister - Hannah Martin
- Marian Schafer, Middle Sister - Jenna McCarthy
- Alice Schafer, Youngest Sister - Louisa Pastorius
- Hannah Marshall, Activist - Sigourney Forrester
- Charles Schafer, Uncle - Josh Moody
1926
The action takes place in and around the Clam House, an underground cabaret club in Harlem which allowed inter-racial mixing and was the hub of the lesbian and gay network.
- Also Hazeldene House, Cora’s home.
- Ida Milsom, Headline Cabaret Artist - Kaena Hood
- Cora Hazeldene, Flapper - Sarah Norris
- Grace Hazeldene, Cora’s Mother - Jenna McCarthy
- Thoda Hood, Cabaret Artist - Sigourney Forrester
- Mina Miller, Wife of Clam House Owner - Selena Frey
- Mable Penfold, Ventriloquist - Shelby McDonell
- Flappers and dancers played by the ensemble
2014 THE HERNANDEZ FAMILY HOME IN TAMPA
- Theresa Hernandez, Mother Shelby McDonell
- Ana Hernandez, Sister Selena Frey
- Carmen Hernandez, Bride Cristina Blanco
- Zola Swaby, Mother’s Friend Sigourney Forrester
- Celia Perez, Bride’s cousin Louisa Pastorius
TheatreUSF British International Theatre Program
When the artistic directors, Hinks and Elaine Shimberg, Lisel and John Gale and Denis Calandra first discussed the idea of the British International Theatre Program (BRIT), little did they anticipate the success it would turn out to be. With the financial assistance of Hinks and Elaine Shimberg, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Dan Doyle and the State of Florida Matching Grant Program, the BRIT Program has now become an established annual event.
For years the British International Theatre Program has sought out professional directors and choreographers, leading actors in theatre, television and film, voice and speech experts and top rate designers. These artists have brought their knowledge and experience in British classical theatre and contemporary cutting edge theatre to the students at USF. We are privileged to have our students partake of this classical and contemporary training, and we are eager to work with our British cousins on the continuing development of this marvelous tradition. We will be forever thankful and grateful to the founders and their vision for our USF School of Theatre & Dance.