Video Podcast: Ubu Roi Design Storm

As the first show of the Fall semester, Ubu Roi’s entire design was the result of a storm.  Borrowing the idea from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Ubu’s “Design Storm” featured an intense and condensed four-day creative process that resulted in all the sets, costumes and music that audiences will see on stage.

“We worked on the show for ten days then did a run-through of it with the designer,” show director Betsy Tucker said.  “The next night we got together for four hours to talk about the show.  Then over the next two days we built the whole thing – a process that usually takes six weeks.  The ‘storm’ was an experiment to see if it could be done and to determine whether it isa workable model for future productions.  It went very well, and we had a good time.    They rose to the wackiness of the production.”

View the Video Podcast of the design storm weekend here.

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LETTER:
May 17, 2007

To: UVA’s Theater Troupe
Present at Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women

I sincerely hope this letter arrives in time to share my gratitude in the beautiful release your company brought me last Friday.  How staggering it was to hear your “Show’s Announcer” sign off with a monologue thanking us from the bottom of your heart.  Little perhaps did you realize that the appreciation emanated from the bottom of our hearts, as in a rare moment you delivered us from the confines of the cinder blocks and steel doors; our monotony and routine, with a kaleidoscope array of arts.  I can only speak on my behalf, but do not feel I would be misleading if my thanks were collective as well.  Your Radio Show presentation was a beautiful interruption covering the lighthearted humor to deeper soliloquies, the range of music to the ambiance in general.  I cannot adequately express in words what that hour escape brought to my peace of mind.  From “Tut tut’s” (?) bas playing antics, to the beautiful aria in opera, to the “Jaguar T-shirts” poetry reading to the good ol’ sing alongs, the corny jokes, the whole nine yards. 

Perhaps you knew you were to be entertaining at Virginia’s only maximum Security facility.  Did you know of your impact?  Of the light which shined through the crack as the door was intermittently propped open?  I am a 24 year old who reveled in that evening, having served 2 years with only 1 left to go.  Originally a Psychology Major with a minor in Classical Studies at VCU, I am not a multiply convicted felon.  However I am grateful, for some of the very women sitting to my right or to my left on that night will never leave these gates.  They have been here for 10, 15 years.  Will never wear anything but a gray sweat suit nor will their hair be allowed to grow past their shoulders.  Just a perspective of incarceration, yes it is consequences for our actions.  I am willing to fully accept that—however it is endearing to my soul to know that there are individuals out there who realize we are still women like everybody else, just that we have made mistakes.  And that you were willing to help alleviate our time is an action I cannot praise enough. 
     
And so, Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. 
Most Sincerely, ####

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