by ASHLEY BENNERS
Intern Lifestyles Reporter

This fall, Appalachian State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance presents a variety of pieces exhibiting the talents of students, faculty, and professionals.

Alex M. Genther, a senior theatre arts major hopes to see an increased student turnout at this season’s performances.

The 2008-2009 season kicks off Oct. 1-Oct. 5 with A Shayna Maidel.

Yiddish for “A Pretty Girl,” it is the story of two sisters separated since childhood and reunited twenty years later, in the aftermath of the Holocaust.

Cast members were required to learn a Yiddish dialect to make the play feel more authentic, Genther said. 

“Derek Gagnier, a professor in the department, has really been a great vocal coach for them.”

Matthew D. Delaney, a senior theatre arts major plays Duvid, husband to the elder sister.  The couple was separated for six years during the Holocaust when they were sent to different concentration camps.

“A Shayna Maidel” is less of a story about the Holocaust and more about a dysfunctional family trying to reunite,” Delaney said. “The playwright specifically tells the director and actors to steer away from it being about the Holocaust and concentration camps. It is character driven and really about how the characters relate to each other.”

According to the department’s Web site, A Shayna Maidel will be followed by the North Carolina Dance Festival Oct. 30 through Nov. 1, which features professional dance companies from across the state performing alongside Appalachian State Dance faculty and students in new and innovative works.

Auditions for Freshman Showcase will take place Monday at 7 p.m. in Chapell-Wilson Hall Room 105 for Murder at Greystone Manor. 

This interactive murder mystery features a cast of silly characters involved in a murder surrounding a private screening of Hollywood film producer/director C.D. Weasel’s motion picture masterpiece, "Love's Foolish Parade.”

Not only does this year’s Freshman Showcase dish up a delightful new style, but audiences can also expect a delicious dinner.

“It’s going to be different than we’ve ever done it,” Delaney said. “There’s going to be improvisation and games with audience.”

Delaney said normally the show is done in I.G. Greer Studio Theatre, but this year it will be done in a room in Edwin Duncan Hall. 

“We’re really breaking new ground for Freshman Showcase.  I’m kind of jealous,” Delaney said. “It’s different than your traditional ‘let’s go see a play.’ It will be something this university has never seen before.”

A Servant of Two Masters, Nov. 19 through 23, is a classic Italian comedy featuring the madcap misunderstandings that arise when a clever but not-so-faithful servant, Truffaldino, secretly seizes an opportunity to double his salary by offering simultaneous service to different masters.

Genther who plays Pantalone, expects the show to be a hit. 

“There are a lot of physical gags, a large cast, and a lot of cartoon-like violence,” Genther said. “It is really hilarious.”

Finally, the fall season closes with Playcrafter’s New Play Festival Dec. 3-6.

The festival is a weekend of new plays written, directed, and performed by students. Sponsored by the Department's student club, Playcrafters.

“The New Play Festival is always great,” Genther said. “The faculty really doesn’t have anything to do with it.  I would recommend everyone go and see it.”

Catherine R. Ledford, senior theatre arts major, is confident that this fall’s theatrical line-up will have no trouble filling seats.

“This semester we have a mix of touching, emotional drama and off-the-wall ridiculous humor,” Ledford said. “There will be a lot going on for a lot of different tastes.”

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