ASU’s Herberger Mainstage Theatre series opens repertory season with How I Learned to Drive and The Laramie Project

TEMPE, Ariz. – How I Learned to Drive and The Laramie Project open ASU’s 2003-2004 Herberger Mainstage Theatre season, which will be presented entirely in repertory. The repertory model is a new direction for the Herberger College Department of Theatre – the only university theatre in America offering a total season of rotating repertory. Artistic director Marshall W. Mason expanded the season to offer more choices and viewpoints for audiences and actors. 

“ The first pair of plays challenge conventional beliefs about controversial subjects,” said Mason. “They offer fresh evidence of the vital relevance of theatre to our times. I hope audiences will treasure this opportunity to experience theatre in an invigorating climate of discovery.”

How I Learned to Drive, beginning Sept. 19, is Paula Vogel’s Pulitzer Prize-winning story of a young woman learning to cope with the haunting memories of her seductive uncle who is related to her by marriage. 

“ The play examines the issue of sexual abuse with intelligence and surprising humor,” says director Victoria Holloway. “It is about survival, forgiveness and family.” 

Holloway selected the cast from her directing class and the Herberger College’s Student Production Board, an innovative program she founded that requires students to produce a season of contemporary and classical plays and new works written by student playwrights. This will be the Student Production Board’s first Mainstage appearance.

The Laramie Project, beginning Sept. 20, tells the story of a tragic beating in Laramie, Wyoming that resulted in the death of gay college student Matthew Shepard and started a national dialogue about hate crimes against gays. The New York-based Tectonic Theater Company developed the play and conducted more than 200 interviews in the community of Laramie. ASU Alumni Erma Duricko directs the breathtaking docudrama. Duricko is artistic director of Blue Roses Productions, a theatre company based in New York City.

“The Laramie Project is about humankind’s response to those we shun, fear and harm physically and emotionally because of our differences,” says Duricko. 

WHEN: 
How I Learned to Drive
Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 20, 6 p.m.; Sept. 21, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 27, 9 p.m.; Sept. 28, 2 p.m. (sign language interpreted); Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 30, 7:30 p.m.

The Laramie Project
Sept. 20, 9 p.m.; Sept. 21, 2 p.m. (sign language interpreted); Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 27, 6 p.m.; Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 5, 2 p.m.

WHERE: The Lyceum Theatre, 901 S. Forest Mall on the ASU campus in Tempe

TICKETS (per show): $14 adults; $12 seniors, faculty, staff and ASU alumni; $5 students

INFORMATION: 480-965-6447

Theatre is part of the ASU Herberger Mainstage Season featuring operas, musicals, dance and music performances. For a complete Mainstage schedule go to,
http://herbergercollege.asu.edu/calendar/mainstage.html 

Media Contact:
Denise Tanguay 
480.965.7144
denise.tanguay@asu.edu