4/15/2003

Contact: K.E. Schwab  -- 724-738-2199;  e-mail: karl.schwab@sru.edu

KALEIDOSCOPE ART FESTIVAL EVENT –

SRU THEATER STUDENTS TO TRY HAND AT IMPROVISATION WITH ‘COMEDY TONIGHT’

          SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – “Comedy Tonight,” Slippery Rock University’s first venture into improvisation and including audience participation, will be presented in four, cabaret-like performances beginning April 23 and give eight students the chance to sharpen their comedy talents as part of the university’s 12-day Kaleidoscope arts festival.

          Performances are set for 8 p.m. April 23-25 in Miller Auditorium with the final performance on April 26 set for 8 p.m. in the University Union. Tickets are $5 general admission and $3 for SRU students. The Miller Auditorium Box Office is open from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursdays – and one hour prior to the show.
Call 724-738-2645 for details.

          Conceived and directed by Lars Tatom, theater instructor, the 90-minute production is the final performance of the season. “Improvisation is a strong tool in actor training – and it has great entertainment value. We decided to do something less complicated technically, and we thought it would be a nice way to end our season,” he explains, adding,  the production will be like popular improvisation shows seen on television, including audience participation and suggestions.

          The cast includes David Jackson II from Hermitage, Laura Stokes from State College, Emily Ludwig, Russell, Ryan Lockhart, Indiana, and Shaun Starke, Ginny Huston, Mike Stancil and Carly Dobbins-Bucklad, all from Slippery Rock.

          Kaleidoscope runs April 22 through May 3. For a complete listing, see www.sru.edu/pages/916/asp

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