Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - As the 2007-08 University of Wisconsin-Platteville student theater season opens this week, audiences will not see much of the professionals behind the scenes, but the work of David Schuler, Ann Dillon Farrelly and Brad Carlson, all professors of theater, will be evident in every performance.

This year Carlson joined Schuler and Farrelly, who are also relatively new, having joined the performing and visual arts department in 2006-2007.

"I am excited to work with Ann and Brad," said Schuler. "I couldn't ask for better colleagues. Of course, we have different personalities and methods, but we agree on our goals for learning and performance, and that's very important for the cohesiveness of our department," he said. Schuler has a background in both musical theater and drama, including numerous acting and directing credits. His academic interests include aboriginal theater/theater anthropology, Ibsen, modern Shakespearean performance and living history characterization. He is recognized as a specialist in Sámi culture and has lectured extensively about the Sámi, especially their theater, throughout the eastern United States since 1997.

"David is a dynamic teacher and director. We balance each other well and are both committed to challenging our students to think outside the box," said Farrelly.

"Another Opening, Another Show," scheduled for Oct. 24, 25, 26 and 27, is directed by Farrelly. She transitioned to UW-Platteville after six years with the Ohio State University theater department, both as a graduate student and a guest faculty member. Farrelly has a background in musical theater and drama as well. Her academic interests include Irish Drama, particularly the work of Martin McDonagh, and African American Drama.

"Ohio State has one of the finest models for introduction to theater, so we are very fortunate to have Ann coming from that program," Schuler said.

In addition to teaching courses in introduction to theater, theater history, voice for stage, directing, acting and research methods and writing, the trio of theater professionals will produce six performances during the 2007-08 season.

Slated for November is "The Trojan Women," by Euripides, adapted for the stage by Brendan Kennelly, which will be directed by Schuler. In December, student director Jennifer Stauffacher will direct "Everyman." Farrelly will direct David Mamet's drama, "Glengarry Glen Ross" in February, while Schuler takes on the musical, "Anything Goes," featuring music by Cole Porter, in April. The season will wind up with the One Acts Festival in May, in which students will produce, direct, act and design under the guidance of Schuler, Farrelly and Carlson.

According to Schuler, Carlson has been a critical addition in terms of making optimum use of the theater spaces available in UWP's Center for the Arts. Carlson is an award-winning set designer whose work has taken him to numerous professional theaters throughout the Midwest and east coast, including the world renowned Glimmerglass Opera in Central New York. He was recently recognized at the KCACTF region II festival with two awards, one for his scenic design for "The Crucible," and another for his lighting design for Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."

"It is so nice to have Brad join our program. He is a talented and innovative designer who, like David and myself, is not afraid to take chances," said Farrelly.

"I'm excited about the upcoming season and looking forward to a great year," said Carlson.

Anyone interested in learning more about the UWP theater program or the 2007-08 season may visit the website at www.uwplatt.edu/finearts/theatre.

Contact: David Schuler, assistant professor of theater, UWP Department of Performing and Visual Arts, (608) 342-1198, schulerd@uwplatt.edu Written by: Evelyn Martens, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, martense@uwplatt.edu