U of A STUDIO THEATRE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21, 2013
The Missionary Position world premiere provokes questions about intervention in the developing world
Edmonton, AB - The University of Alberta Studio Theatre unveils the world premiere of The Missionary Position, by Lee Playwright in Residence Greg MacArthur, on the Timms Centre for the Arts mainstage, February 7 through 16, 2013. Tickets are available at TIX on the Square and the Timms Centre Box office (87 Avenue & 112 Street, Edmonton).
After a devastating tsunami engulfs a small remote Central American country, a disparate group of young Canadian missionaries congregate to offer their help. Rescuing children they believe are orphans, the missionaries are incarcerated, forcing them to confront who they are and what they believe in.
Inspired by actual events in Haiti (the New Life Children's refuge case), the bold new play questions the limits of belief and asks provocative questions about foreign aid and our intervention in the developing world. How do we help, why do we help and who are we really helping? Are good intentions good enough?
The Missionary Position is directed by UAlberta Drama Professor Jan Selman and was commissioned and written for the 2013 BFA Acting graduating class, a company of 12 trained actors, to perform. The project includes contributions from University of Alberta faculty members Lee Livingstone and Robert Shannon (Sets & Lights), Lin Snelling (Movement Coach), and alumni Nicole Bach (Costumes) and Thrasso Petras (Vocal Coach).
Evening performances of The Missionary Position run February 7 to 16, 2013 at 7:30 pm , at the Timms Centre for the Arts (87 Avenue & 112 Street) on the University of Alberta campus in Edmonton. There is a $5 preview February 6 at 7:30 pm and a matinee on February 14 at 12:30 pm. There is no performance Sunday, February 10. Monday, February 11th is 2 for 1 tweet-up night. Patrons are encouraged to tweet before, after, and during the intermission using the hashtag #missionposition.
Tickets are on-sale now, available for $11 to $22 at TIX on the Square (780-420-1757) and online at www.tixonthesquare.ca , as well as in-person at the Timms Centre Box Office. See www.studiotheatre.ca for more ticket and show time information.
Media photocall: Monday, February 4 at 3 pm, Timms Centre for the Arts, Mainstage, on the
University of Alberta campus. Capture still photographs and video footage. Interviews with
playwright, director and the performers to follow.
Media Contact:
Salena Kitteringham
University of Alberta | Fine Arts Communications Lead
Phone: 780.248.5617
salena@ualberta.ca
The U of A Studio Theatre season showcases a company of Canada's leading university theatre students
in acting, directing, design, vocal coaching, technical theatre and stage management.
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