Ann Hodges, photo supplied
WINNIPEG, MB – The University of Winnipeg Department of Theatre and Film presents the compelling Middletown, by acclaimed American playwright Will Eno, directed by UWinnipeg alumna Ann Hodges. The show runs Tuesday, April 2 to Saturday, April 6, 2019, at the Gas Station Arts Centre, 445 River Avenue.
Nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for his one-man show, Thom Pain (based on nothing), Eno is known for his funny and thoughtful plays. He frequently examines big questions of life and living, “His characters often speak aloud some of the awkward complicated facets of living — inadvertently revealing profound truths in quirky, funny ways,” said Hodges.
In the play, the inhabitants of Middletown go about their very ordinary days in their very ordinary town. But as the play unfolds, the very ordinary days of ordinary people are slowly revealed to be quite extraordinary.
“In between birth and death, we all live in Middletown,” shared Hodges. “There are two events in life that everyone experiences; being born, and dying. Will Eno is interested in examining how wondrous and mysterious the time in between birth and death is, if we only stop to notice.”
A graduate of The University of Winnipeg, and the National Theatre School, Hodges’ career as a director has taken her across the country, working on plays, musicals, operas, and new works from Victoria, BC to St John’s, NL. Her work is seen frequently on Winnipeg stages, including the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Prairie Theatre Exchange, Rainbow Stage, Manitoba Theatre for Young People, Dry Cold, Theatre Projects, and Shakespeare in the Ruins, which she co-founded.
The inhabitants of Middletown are portrayed by the actors of UWinnipeg’s Fourth-Year Honours Performance class, performing in their final graduating production. They are joined by senior design students Joyce Licup (Set Designer), Sorrel Klatt (Costume Designer), Hayley Mummery (Lighting Designer) and Rachel Baziuk (Sound Designer). All technical work is done by senior production students.
Warnings: Mature content including the issues of mental health.
Based in the Asper Centre for Theatre and Film at The University of Winnipeg, the Department of Theatre and Film offers concentrations in Acting, Design, Drama in Education, Filmmaking, Playwriting, and Production/Stage Management. Our classes are small and our approach is practical. Our faculty is comprised of highly respected and award-winning professionals who are experienced teachers and remain active in their disciplines, bringing relevant and up-to-date instruction to our students.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Melinda Tallin, Department of Theatre and Film, University of Winnipeg
T: 204.786.9955, E: m.tallin@uwinnipeg.ca
Tim Babcock, Department of Theatre and Film, University of Winnipeg
T: 204-786-9455, E: t.babcock@uwinnipeg.ca
