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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Williams Theatre Department will present Purple Valley Plays, original works for the stage written, directed, designed, and performed by Williams students. Back for a third year, Purple Valley Plays continues the Theatre Department’s tradition of incubating new work and cultivating the next generation of theatre artists. Presented in two programs, Purple Valley Plays will premiere works by Terah Ehigiator ’18, Mia Hull ’17, Joseph Messer ’21, Chanel Palmer ’19, and Tom Robertshaw ’19. *
Performances are on Thursday, April 26th to Saturday, April 28th. Program 1 will be in the CenterStage at 7 PM. Program 2 will be in the Adams Memorial Theatre at 8:30 PM. All performances will be located at 1000 Main Street, in Williamstown, MA. Tickets are $3.
“The Theatre Department recognizes that some artistic works are provocative, and may be challenging for audience members—emotionally, intellectually, and personally. We wish to alert our patrons to the following specific content.”
Program One (Adams Memorial Theatre)
River Spirits by Terah Ehigiator ’18, directed by Jack Romans ’20. Emmett lives freely in paradise until the appearance of a strange new boy alters him forever. With playfulness and sincerity, this play explores tensions of boyhood, friendship, and (dis)belief.
contains artistic representations of racialized violence and self-harm.
Phaedra / Hippolytus / by Mia Hull ’17, directed by Tom Robertshaw ’19. A woman, in love with her husband, falls in love with his son. Clean lines and floors, stifled, enraged, undone.
contains artistic representations of suicide.
Program Two (CenterStage)
Majesty in the Middle Realm by Chanel Palmer ’19, directed by Caroline Fairweather ’20. A fast-paced exploration of connection, belonging, displacement, and infinity. A young woman’s quest for family and for peace in a world of in-betweens turns out to extend well beyond her wildest dreams.
alludes to racialized violence and police brutality.
What if We Loved with our Radiated Bodies? by Joseph Messer ’21, directed by Fiona Selmi ’21. Three infected lovers attempt to find themselves, but as their environment falls apart, words fall apart, movement falls apart, and people fall apart as well.
contains graphic sexual language.
Chastens and Hastens by Tom Robertshaw ’19, directed by Liam Ouweleen ’19. Thanksgiving/family/generations/breach/a dongle/butterball/ritual hunt?
references appropriation of indigenous cultures, and ignorance about sexual and gendered orientations.
The Theatre Department works to develop in each student an understanding of theatre that is both broad and deep. Through creative expression and critical study, we challenge students to engage both contemporary and historical modes of performance. Theatre students make artworks through design, acting, directing, and dramaturgy. They are encouraged to experiment, to risk, and to make bold choices. Working collaboratively with faculty and guest artists, students integrate intellectual, physical, and emotional responses into an array of live performances each academic year.
For tickets, visit the Williams ’62 Center Box Office Tues-Sat, 1-5 pm or call (413) 597-2425. For more information, please visit http://62center.williams.edu
* This article was created, in whole or in part, using submitted officially released information.
