Actors in the university's theatre department perform "CORRIGENDA" during a 2006 performance of the production.

Ten years ago, an original production from a fledgling theatre department at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith brought national acclaim to the university, the beginning of a 10-year run of celebrated productions and performances by the theatre program.

 

This fall, Theatre @ UAFS will reenact the award-winning production “CORRIGENDA” for a 10th-anniversary celebration as part of the University’s Season of Entertainment 36. The shows will take place at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20-22 and 24-25 in the Breedlove Auditorium on the UAFS campus, and tickets are $6 for the general public and free for students. The show is rated suitable for all audiences.

 

Called a cross between “Cirque de Soleil and ‘V for Vendetta,’” “CORRIGENDA” depicts a world run by an authoritarian state devoid of creativity, joy or love. After one woman decides to fight against the oppression, she travels to another land where a group of villagers teach her to build a community and fight for what she believes is right.

 

Characteristic of future shows by the university’s theatre department, “CORRIGENDA” features high-flying circus arts that Bob Stevenson, director of Theatre @ UAFS, said will amaze the audience.

 

“Our students will fly through the air on trapezes and silk, dance across the floor, skip over jump ropes, and many amazing feats, all set to a 90-minute sound score,” Stevenson said. “There are clowns to make you laugh, singers to amaze you, and the brand of heartfelt and bold, emotional acting that Theatre @ UAFS has become known for.”

 

The show, written by Stevenson, and then-students Kurt Smith and Michelle Greensmith, won national awards from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. following its debut in 2006, and was performed 11 times in 2006 and 2007 in Fort Smith, Conway and Tulsa, Okla.

 

“It’s been fun to be working on this show again after so many years,” Stevenson said. “The new group of students are up to the challenge of learning the circus skills, and many veterans of the first run have stopped by to provide some pointers or coaching. I think we are all very excited to bring this type of theatre back to Fort Smith.”

 

The show is part of Season of Entertainment 36, a year-long lineup of entertainment sponsored by the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith featuring a variety of plays, musicals and symphonic performances. Tickets are available by contacting the UAFS Box Office at 479-788-7300 or visiting http://uafs.universitytickets.com.

 

Students performing in the show are:

 

Alma: Tony Corbell, Kaylee Gembica, Sean Howard, Molly Tennison and Kyle White.

 

Cecil: Ashley Eatman.

 

Charleston: Kaitlin McKellip and Zeke Sidwell.

 

Chicago, Ill.: Christian DeCostro.

 

Clarksville: Joby Vire.

 

Fort Smith: Margie Barcagan, Matthew Bowers, Kendra Carter, Thomas Dudley, Jamie Gilliam, Sara Kincannon, Patricia Lopez, Ron Nguyen, Nayely Palafox, John Smith, Mykaela Sparks, Kyyah Thompson, Rachel Townsend and Sasha Yedrysek.

 

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Tea Le.

 

Lavaca: Savannah Orrison, Jacob Price and Jackalynn Self.

 

Magazine: Colton Siddons.

 

Mena: Naomi Ponthieux.

 

Muldrow, Okla.: Tricia Peters.

 

North Little Rock: Alex Sanders.

 

Oark: Colton Humble.

 

Ozark: Matt Vigil.

 

Paris: Sara Koch and Alec Pennington.

 

Perry: Cory Wray.

 

Poteau, Okla.: Mikalyn Reif.

 

Sallisaw, Okla.: Andrew Duch.

 

Spiro, Okla.: Breanna Carter.

 

Witcherville: Taylor Martin.