NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release: For further information contact:
October 16, 2008 Christi Courian
541.552.6347
Southern Oregon University Department of Theatre Arts
presents “An Enemy of the People”
(Ashland, Ore.) – Southern Oregon University Department of Theatre Arts presents “An Enemy of the People” by Henrik Ibsen and adapted by D.L. Smith. Performances run Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 6-8 and Nov. 13-15 and on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 8:00 p.m. Matinees run at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15 and Sunday, Nov. 16.
D. L. Smith's adaptation of this 19th century drama places Ibsen's iconic character, Dr. Stockmann, in contemporary society. Stockmann's descent from respected citizen to community outcast is as relevant to today's political vagaries as it was for Ibsen in 1882.
"My interest in this play is its topicality," says director Dennis Smith. "It's amazing that we can live through the twentieth century with all its technological changes and still be struggling with questions of environmental pollution, corporate greed, and political machinations." Smith notes that the play is about an individual having the bravery to stand up for his own morality.
Dr. Thomas Stockman is responsible for a crucial economic development in his town, but the local mayor and news media thwart his efforts to redress contamination that comes to light.
Chris Carwithen plays Dr. Thomas Stockman, Deborah Jensen plays his wife Kate Stockman, Alex Yochim plays Mayor Peter Stockman, Gregg Land plays reporter Alexander Billings, Levi Goodman plays publisher Lawrence Hovstad, and Nick Walker plays businessman Perry Aslaksen.
Smith, the professor of acting in the SOU Theatre Arts department, directed the SOU production of “Arcadia” and “Hotel Paradiso” in 2007. He has directed productions in the department since 1985, as well as for the Rogue Opera, Britt Festivals, Oregon Cabaret Theatre, and Lyric Theatre.
Set design is by Andrew Zehrung, costume design is by Katherine Nowacki, lighting design is by Laura Wiley and sound design is by Chris Sackett. Assistant director is Curtis Goodman and stage manager is Kryssa Bush.
Tickets are $18 regular, $16 senior, $5 students. Subscribers to three or more plays receive a discounted rate of $15 regular and $13 senior. Tickets are available at the door or by calling the SOU Theatre Arts Box Office at 552-6348. More information is available at sou.edu/theatre/calendar.
Southern OregonUniversity (SOU) is an inclusive campus dedicated to student success, intellectual growth, and responsible global citizenship. Named a “hidden gem” of higher education byThe New York Times, SOU offers a challenging and practical liberal arts education centered on student learning, accessibility, and civic engagement that enriches both the community and bioregion.
SouthernOregonUniversityhas been designated aCenterofExcellencein the Fine and Performing Arts by the Oregon University System. Enrolling approximately 5,000 students, the University addresses regional needs through its academic programs, partnerships, public service, outreach, sustainable practices, and economic development activities. Southern Oregon Universityis a community leader in promoting environmentally sustainablepractices, including being the largest green tag purchaser in Ashland. SOU is also the first university in Oregon—and one of the first in the nation—to offset 100 percent of its energy use with clean, renewable power.
For more information, please visit sou.edu or call 1-800-482-7672.
- SOU-
Photo credit: Ezra Severin
Photo captions:
Enemy Pub shots 027: Deborah Jensen and Chris Carwithen play Kate Stockman and Dr. Thomas Stockman in D.L. Smith's adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's "An Enemy of the People," playing November 6-16 at Southern Oregon University's Department of Theatre Arts.
Enemy Pub shots 010: Deborah Jensen, left, Mallory Wedding, right, and Chris Carwithen play members of the Stockman family in D.L. Smith's adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's "An Enemy of the People," playing November 6-16 at Southern Oregon University's Department of Theatre Arts.