By Decker Lavely
A special treat for theater-lovers is coming to USF St. Petersburg next week: the first ever Short & Sweet Theatre Week, April 8-11.
The week features seven theatrical experiences performed by professionals in the Tampa Bay theater community, as well as students and faculty from the USF School of Theatre and Dance.
Short & Sweet Theatre Week is presented by USF St. Petersburg Places, Spaces and Art, and is partnered with Studio@620, freeFall Theatre and American Stage.
The goal of Theatre Week is to bring more art and theater opportunities to campus for students to participate.
“It is a demonstration project to give students a chance to experience theater,” said Ann Wykell, the public art coordinator of Places, Spaces and Art.
The week will include cabaret, interactive improvisation, dance, collages of short pieces and more. Every performance is under an hour and presented between 4 and 7 p.m.
“There are a lot of different kinds of approaches to theater; there are many ways to do theater besides 2- and 3-act plays,” Wykell said. “(Theatre Week) is to show what we can do without having a theater on campus, and turns out we can do quite a bit.”
One of the seven performances is “Air-Earth-Fire-Water,” written by playwright and USF graduate Sheila Cowley. It is scored by A.J. Vaughn and choreographed by Helen Hansen French and Paula Kramer. “Air-Earth-Fire-Water” is a 15-minute performance that connects everyday life to science through dance, music and acting.
“It’s short, it’s fun, it’s humorous and it’s beautiful… It is 15 minutes that will probably make you laugh and give you a few pleasant chills,” Cowley said.
“Air-Earth-Fire-Water” has been performed at other local art venues, including the Tampa Museum of Art, The Museum of Fine Arts, and Studio@620. Cowley has also written other pieces that bring art and science together.
“Science is important, but the arts are equally important,” Cowley said. “The spirit of discovery in creating an artistic piece is tied to the spirit of scientific discovery.”
All of the performances will cover a wide range of topics and themes. Each piece will be performed on various sites on campus, including The Campus Grind, Lynn Pippenger Hall, Harborwalk and The Edge.
Short & Sweet Theatre Week was designed to not only bring theater to campus for one week, but to continue more arts and theater experiences at USF St. Petersburg.
“I’m hoping students, faculty, staff, their friends and families will come and enjoy a short performance,” Wykell said. “And if we see there is interest, maybe we can do another one next year.”
All of the Theatre Week productions are free to the public.
Every student who attends with their student ID will receive a $5 voucher for the American Stage in the Park production of “Mamma Mia!” The show runs April 10-May 12 at Demens Landing, Bayshore Drive & Second Avenue S.
This voucher is redeemable for lawn seating at any Wednesday or Thursday show.
Contact Ann Wykell at awykell@mail.usf.edu for more information about the events.
Short & Sweet Theatre Week Schedule:
- “It’s a Living.” Comedy improv night with Hawk and Wayne.
Monday, April 8 at 5:15 and 5:30 p.m. at The Edge. - “Air-Earth-Fire-Water.” Dance performance written by Sheila Cowley. Choreographed by Helen Hansen French and Paula Kramer. Original score by A.J. Vaughn.
Monday, April 8 at 5:15 and 6:30 p.m. at Harborwalk. - “Death and Other Errors in Judgement.” Ten short, surreal plays written by Matt Cowley. Directed by Vicki Daignault.
Tuesday, April 9 at 4 and 7 p.m. at Lynn Pippinger Hall Collaboration Lounge. - “Tales Thrice Told.” Three original plays written and performed by Fanni Green, Bob Devin Jones and Maureen McDole. Co-presented with Studio@620.
Tuesday, April 9 at 5:15 and 6:30 p.m. at Lynn Pippinger Hall Auditorium. - “She Speaks.” Staged readings performed by Eugenie Bondurant, Stephanie Roberts, Mimi Rice and Vanesa Rendon. Directed by Vicki Daignault.
Wednesday, April 10 at 5:15 p.m. at The Edge. - “Hello.” Immersive performance by Chris Crawford and Anthony R. Smith.
Wednesday, April 10 and Thursday, April 11 at 6:15 p.m. at The Grind. - “Cabaret.” Performed by students from USF Tampa School of Theatre and Dance.Thursday, April 11 at 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. at The Edge.
Header photo courtesy of Places, Spaces and Art
