2021-2022 Season
The Misanthrope
By Molière, translated into English verse by Richard Wilbur
November 11 at 8:00 p.m. | November 12 at 8:00 p.m. | November 13 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. | November 14 at 2:00 p.m.
Directed by Kimberly Braun
Rob and Judy Gardner Laboratory Theatre
Is it better to tell a kind fib or be absolutely honest? With whom can you share your true feelings and opinions? Our misanthrope, Alceste, demands total honesty from all. Ironically, he can’t help but love the socially intelligent Célimène. In this intimate rom-com we watch the witty banter of friends, the unraveling of love, and observe how the manners of French society in 1666 are not all that different from our reality tv stars of today. Is there middle ground between extreme honesty and cliquey gossip?
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solstånd
a devised slow tempo play in the style of Japanese theatre artist Shogo Ohta
December 10 at 8:30 p.m. [CANCELLED Due to Weather] | December 11 at 2:00 p.m. | December 12 at 1:00 p.m.
Advised by Visiting Assistant Professor Kimberly Braun
Rob and Judy Gardner Laboratory Theatre
The winter solstice is a much-needed celebration of light in the darkness. Slow tempo, originated by Japanese director Shogo Ohta, offers a microscopic look at human behavior. solstånd, devised entirely by the performers, will explore a love of winter and outdoors, snowfall, the comfort of wool layers, warm food and fire, and celebrate brief moments of sunlight.
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En Masse: The Choreographers' Gallery
December 10 at 6:00 p.m. [CANCELLED Due to Weather] | December 11 at 7:00 p.m. | December 12 at 4:00 p.m.
Directed by Jill Patterson
Rob and Judy Gardner Laboratory Theatre
Individual student choreographers will offer an evening of singular beauty in this year’s Choreographers’ Gallery. Please join us as we gather together once again, En Masse, to experience the eclectic range of emerging talent.
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The Last Days of Judas Iscariot
By Stephen Adly Guirgis
February 17 at 8:00 p.m. | February 18 at 8:00 p.m. | February 19 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. | February 20 at 2:00 p.m.
Directed by Ernest Briggs
Rob and Judy Gardner Laboratory Theatre
Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus. Should he be forgiven or punished for all of eternity? The Last Days of Judas Iscariot tells the story of a court case over the fate of Judas Iscariot. We watch through flashbacks of his childhood and through testimonies of historical and biblical figures as each side debates the ultimate fate of Judas, whether he goes to Heaven and is forgiven or condemned to live his life in purgatory.
Content Warning: This production contains mature content, themes, and language. Viewers may be challenged and/or offended by character depictions and behaviors that include direct and indirect references to religion, race, sexual harassment, sexual identity, mental health, and suicide that may be triggering for audience members.
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To Love the World Harder: The Gustavus Dance Company in Concert
April 7 at 8:00 p.m. | April 8 at 8:00 p.m. | April 9 at 8:00 p.m. | April 10 at 2:00 p.m.
Directed by Melissa C. Rolnick and Michele Rusinko
Rob and Judy Gardner Laboratory Theatre
“When so much about the world seems so unlovely, seems in fact unlovable, we need to love more, not less – we need to love the world harder and better. Our thinking, our writing, and our actions must be born in loving kindness and devoted to truth telling. Kindness matters. Telling the truth matters, . . . “ - Deborah Jacobs, editor of Stone Gathering.
As dance artists we are called to investigate the unprecedented challenges of the past year through the felt experience of the body. These somatic investigations are also “born in loving kindness and devoted to truth telling.” Grief and gratitude, anxiety and relief, despair and hope, all imprinted into our somatic memories, provide the raw materials for our inquiries. This year’s concert features work by faculty choreographers Sarah Hauss, Jill Patterson, Melissa C. Rolnick and Michele Rusinko, guest choreographers Karla Grotting and Jeffrey Peterson, and students Claire Drapeau '22 and Hannah Saunders '22.
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Gloria
By Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
May 5 at 8:00 p.m. | May 6 at 8:00 p.m. | May 7 at 3:30 p.m. | May 8 at 2:00 p.m.
Directed by Visiting Assistant Professor Kimberly Braun
Rob and Judy Gardner Laboratory Theatre
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Pulitzer Prize finalist, Gloria, is a modern workplace comedy with biting humor and devastating consequences. Tensions are high as a group of aspiring writers face the boredom of their desk jobs. Dealing with social exclusion, competition, and toxic work environments Gloria raises the question: after trauma, who owns the story?
Content warning: this production contains violence, strong language, and loud noises.
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Take a look at information from the 2020-2021 season.