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Department of Theatre and Dance Blog | College of Fine Arts | University of Texas at Austin

, Filed Under: Beyond the Stage, New Work, On Stage

Harnessing the Energy of the Cypher: Why CYPHERS is Performed “In the Round”

“This is not going to be your traditional black box theatre performance,” shares Gesel Mason, choreographer, professor, dancer and artistic director of CYPHERS. Mason stands in a corner of the Oscar G. Brockett Theatre, gesturing towards the rows of seats, the DJ booth and the circular projection screen suspended above the stage. The stage is surrounded by seating on all four sides, breaking the barrier between audience and performer. We spoke with Mason, student choreographer Megan Davidson and dancers Madeleine Birmingham and Bryli Lee Jameson to understand why audiences seated “in the round” is significant for CYPHERS and what opportunities it has presented for performers and viewers alike.

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, Filed Under: Beyond the Stage, On Stage

Honoring Complicated Truths and Childlike Wonder: A Dramaturg’s Reflection on JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH

M.F.A. candidate and dramaturg Walker Zupan reflects on the importance of telling stories like James and the Giant Peach, which thoughtfully explore the challenging and beautiful truths of childhood – 

Several years ago, while reflecting on his work as a children’s book author, Matt de la Peña asked: “How honest should we be with our readers? Is the job of the writer for the young to tell the truth or preserve innocence?”

As dramaturg for James and the Giant Peach, currently onstage at The University of Texas at Austin’s B. Iden Payne Theatre, I’ve found myself grappling with similar questions. In particular, I’ve wondered: How much should we emphasize some of the darker elements of this classic Roald Dahl story? Does telling the truth and tending to the experience of our young audience members with sensitivity and care exist in contradiction?

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, Filed Under: On Stage

Meet the Cast of JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH

James and the Giant Peach, Roald Dahl’s classic tale full of imagination and wonder, comes to the B. Iden Payne Theatre October 31-November 10, 2024. In David Wood’s delightful stage adaptation, Dahl’s story is faithfully told by James himself along with the insect characters – Miss Spider, Old-Green-Grasshopper, Centipede, Ladybird and Earthworm. Their epic journey across the Atlantic is acted out with live action, puppetry and storytelling, under the direction of M.F.A. candidate Rodolfo Robles Cruz. Meet the wonderful collection of artists working hard to bring this production to life as part of our 2024/2025 Season.

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