VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University Theatre & Dance never rests. 

The department wrapped its participation in the annual Peach State Summer Theatre Sunday, July 21, and it’s already scheduled the next full season of VSU Theatre & Dance productions.

The 2019-20 season features musicals, plays and dance productions, that include Shakespeare’s “Othello” and the musical “Cats,” according to university officials.

The performances will be presented in theatres located in the VSU Fine Arts Building, corner of Oak and Brookwood. More information: Call (229) 333-5973 or visit www.valdosta.edu/comarts.

VSU Theatre & Dance also produces scholarship fundraiser shows.

 

The Season

– “The Gorges Motel”: A new work by playwrights Gretchen Cryer, Lynne Halliday, Isaac Himmelman, James Hindman, Arlene Hutton and Craig Pospisil. VSU Theatre synopsis adapted from dramtists.com: “‘The Gorges Motel’ is a new play, premiering in 2016 at the New York Fringe Festival. It takes the form of seven plays by six playwrights, that together make an enjoyable theatrical event. Lives intersect in comic and dramatic fashion in a motel that has seen better days in Watkins Glen, N.Y. The ridiculous and the sublime all come together in these plays about moving forward.” NOTE: Production contains mature language, themes. Run date: 7:30 p.m., September 19-21; 3 p.m., Sept. 22; 7:30 p.m., Sept. 23-24, Lab Theatre.

 – “Fall Dances: Unbound”: Annual dance show. VSU Theatre synopsis: “‘Unbound’ is an evening of concert dance works by VSU dance faculty. Join us as we explore classic and contemporary forms of dance and blur the boundaries of traditional performance on Sawyer stage. Dances will provoke, inspire, liberate and leave audiences in awe as dances weave storytelling, abstract thought and superb artistry on the stage – and in the air.” Run dates: 7:30 p.m. October 17-19; 3 p.m., Oct. 20, Sawyer Theatre.

 – “Othello”: Shakespearean tragedy. VSU Theatre synopsis adapted from Folger Shakespeare Library: folger.edu: “In ‘Othello,’ Shakespeare creates a powerful drama that tells the story of the love between the Moor general, Othello, and the Venetian lady, Desdemona. Their marriage is sabotaged by one of dramatic literature’s greatest villains, Iago. One of his most intimate and devastating tragedies, Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’ with its themes of love, jealousy and prejudice has pathos that is universal.” Run dates: 7:30 p.m., Nov. 14-16; 3 p.m., Nov. 17; 7:30 p.m., Nov. 18-19.

 – “How I Became a Pirate”: The annual children’s show with book, lyrics and music by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman based on the book “How I Became a Pirate” written by Melinda Long and Illustrations by David Shannon. The season’s Theatre for Young Audiences presentation tours area schools; for tour information or to book a tour date for February or March, contact Jacque Wheeler, (229) 253-2914. VSU Theatre synopsis adapted from theatricalrights.com: “Sail off on a fantastic musical excursion when a band of comical pirates lands at North Beach looking for an expert digger to join their crew. Braid Beard and his mates enlist young Jeremy Jacobs, as they try to find the perfect spot to bury their treasure. Jeremy finds that adventuring can be lots of fun, but also learns that love and home are treasures you can’t find on any map. The whole family will love this delightful and swashbuckling musical adventure.” Public run dates: 7:30 p.m., Feb. 7; 10:30 a.m., Feb. 8, Sawyer Theatre. 

 – “Truth and Other Lies”: Created by the students in the VSU devised theatre class and the ensemble cast. VSU Theatre synopsis: “In the fall semester, students for our special topics class in devised theatre will develop a new, original script based on stories from world mythology and urban legends. In the spring, this script will be brought to life in the Lab Theatre with an ensemble of actors and artists. We invite you to join us to see the evening of magical tales and epic encounters that arises from this highly collaborative, artistic experience.” NOTE: The production may contain mature language and themes. Run dates: 7:30 p.m., Feb. 20-22; 3 p.m., Feb. 23; 7:30 p.m., Feb. 24-25, Lab Theatre. 

— “Cats”: The famed Broadway musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber based on “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T. S. Elliot. VSU Theatre synopsis adapted from the musicalcompany.com: “‘CATS is one of the world’s best known and meow-velous musicals. The Jellicle Cats come out to play on one special night of the year – the night of the Jellicle Ball. One by one they tell their stories for the amusement of Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, who must choose which of the Cats to ascend to The Heavyside Layer and be reborn in a whole new Jellicle life. This all-singing, all-dancing Tony-winning musical has been translated into 16 languages, making it truly a modern classic of musical theatre.” Run dates: 7:30 p.m., April 2-4, 3 p.m., April 5; 7:30 p.m., April 6-8, Sawyer Theatre.

 

Fundraiser Shows

— The 21st Annual Cabaret. VSU Theatre synopsis: “Enjoy a delicious meal, and musical theatre entertainment as you support the Golden Circle Scholarship & Support Fund. The evening’s entertainment will feature the many journeys from Musical Theatre.” Cabaret tickets will be online through noon Wednesday, Nov. 20. As this is a plated meal, the Wednesday, Nov. 20, deadline is firm, organizers said. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling the Theatre & Dance administrative secretary, (229) 253-2914. Run date: Sunday, Nov. 24; gathering, 6 p.m.; dinner, 6:30 p.m.; performance, 7:30 p.m., Magnolia Room, VSU University Center.

— “Sleeping Beauty Ballet”: VSU Theatre & Dance teams with Valdosta School of Ballet for the successful “Princess Ballet” series that has raised tens of thousands of dollars for VSU Theatre & Dance scholarships. VSU Theatre synopsis: “This production will be fun for everyone as this classic tale is told in dance, featuring musical excerpts by Tchaikovsky and other composers, a beautiful ballerina, a charming prince and an evil fairy.” Tickets will be available in early January. Run dates: 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24; 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, Mathis City Auditorium, 2300 N. Ashley St.

— Dancing with the Valdosta Stars: Popular VSU Theatre & Dance and VSU Music fundraisers for theatre, dance and music student scholarships. VSU Theatre synopsis: “A unique collaborative fundraiser between VSU’s Music Department and Theatre & Dance programs was the talk of the town the past few years and together these degree programs are presenting another encore event this year. Come enjoy the efforts of a new group of local stars and their experts as they present a variety of ballroom dance styles and seek your ‘vote$’ for the evening’s big prize, the Audience Favorite Award.” Stars will be announced in January. Contact Jeani Synyard at jsynyard@bellsouth.net for ticket information. Run date: Saturday, April 18, social hour, 6 p.m.; dinner, 7 p.m.; performance, 8 p.m. After the winner is announced, people can dance til 11 p.m. Grand Ballroom, VSU Student Union.

— Ninth Annual Emerging Artists Series: “VSU Theatre & Dance continues the Emerging Artists tradition. Audiences, who so enjoy watching our student artists develop their talents, can enjoy a performance or two of alternating programs,” according to organizers. “The same program, incorporating performances by our musical theatre and acting students is performed both nights. Each performance of the showcase will spotlight our outstanding students.” Contributions accepted at the door. General admission. Run dates: 7:30 p.m., April 24, 25, Sawyer Theatre.