September 23, 2021
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THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND DANCE
PRESENTS
Sonnets for an Old Century
BY JOSÉ RIVERA
OCTOBER 6-17, 2021
AT THE OSCAR G. BROCKETT THEATRE
Texas Theatre and Dance is pleased to present José Rivera’s Sonnets for an Old Century, an examination of what it means to be alive and what traces each of us will leave behind. A series of exquisitely written monologues brought to life by director Corey Allen, Sonnets for an Old Century uses dance, performance and live music to capture the subtle, often overlooked treasures of everyday life. Presented on stage at the Oscar G. Brockett Theatre October 6-17, 2021.
“I think after the trials of the past year, we’re all in desperate need of a reset,” shares director Corey Allen. “This once-in-a-lifetime event we’re moving through has upended many notions I had about security, community, faith and, frankly, what we’re capable of as a species. Sonnets for an Old Century speaks to a lot of questions we’re currently asking ourselves. Written with a lyrical simplicity, the play is a return to the roots of theatre, wherein a collection of stories are shared directly to an audience. Thematically, the play is in many ways a meditation on life – what we choose to focus on while journeying through it and the people and events that define our experience along the way. Hopefully our production will reinforce the value of living fully in the moment, as truthfully and presently as we can for as long as we can. Because we only get one shot…”
Corey Allen is an assistant professor in the acting program at The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance. As an actor, he has appeared on stage and screen. Recent TV credits include Mindhunter, Madame Secretary, Bull and Happy! Film work includes Proximity, Lost in the City and Root for the Villain. Regionally, he has appeared at the Shakespeare Theater of D.C., Pioneer Theater Company, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Huntington Theatre Company and the Repertory Theatre of St. Lois, as well as Utah, North Carolina and Great River Shakespeare Festivals. He is a creative partner with Flux Theatre Ensemble (New York City) and his voice-over work can be found on audiobooks, documentaries and various sound recordings. Allen holds an M.F.A. in Acting from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Core-allen.com
Sonnets for an Old Century features a powerful ensemble cast, including Se’An Boatner, David De La Barcena, Franchelle Stewart Dorn, Lily Falconer, Nya Garner, Luis Gonzales III, Timmy Huynh, Andrew Kusman, Katya Lopez, Joshua Lewis Magee, Ricky Miller, Sophie Miller, Andrea Nuñez, Sebastian Ojeda, Emily Yaneth Perez, Robert Ramirez, Austin Smith, Austin Brian Taylor, Jared VosWinkel and Kobe Williams.
The production team for Sonnets for an Old Century includes Corey Allen (Director), Jackson Cobb (Projection Designer), Zoey Crow (Associate Projection Designer), Ari Jamieson (Lighting Designer). Lisa Laratta (Scenic Designer), Sam Lipman (Sound Designer and Composer), Braxton Rae (Associate Director), Morgan Randall (Stage Manager), Court Rogers (Costume Designer) and David Tolin (Technical Director).
For more information about Sonnets for an Old Century, please visit JoinTheDrama.org
CALENDAR LISTING
October 6-17, 2021* – The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance presents Sonnets for an Old Century by José Rivera at the Oscar G. Brockett Theatre (300 E. 23rd St.), located in the F. Loren Winship Drama Building. A map of the campus: theatredance.utexas.edu/about/location-directions-parking
Performance times are October 7 at 7:30 p.m. (Opening); October 8-9, 13-15 at 7:30 p.m. and October 9-10, 17 at 2:00 p.m. ($26 adult, $21 UT faculty and staff, $15 student) are available for sale at the Bass Concert Hall Box Office, online at JoinTheDrama.org, or by calling (512) 471-1444. Office locations and hours: theatredance.utexas.edu/ticketing
*Preview performance October 6, 2021 is closed to the public.
ABOUT TEXAS THEATRE AND DANCE
The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance is a world-class educational environment that serves as the ultimate creative incubator for the next generation of artists, thinkers and leaders in theatre and performance.
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