(GLASSBORO, NJ) -- A provocative, original dramatic work exploring diverse concepts of “death” created through a collaboration between Rowan University faculty and students continues the “season of horror” presented the Department of Theatre & Dance. Performances are from December 8 - 11 in Tohill Theatre on the university’s Glassboro campus.
Danse Macabre, directed and choreographed by faculty member and noted Philadelphia dance artist Paule Turner, is at once a play and a piece of dance theatre incorporating music, text, sound, visuals, and movement. It presents a non-linear narrative with fragmented characters and elements of several different storylines to address a central theme: death. Within this totally new creation, audiences will spot references to everything from Rosemary’s Baby and Equus to Nietzsche, A Streetcar Named Desire, and so much more. The sound score embraces a diverse range, as well, from Monteverdi to Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs to Bjork.
“It’s about people and the beauty of people even when they’re doing bad things,” says Turner, adding that in spite of the darker themes, there is a lightness about the way these ideas and stories are presented. “It’s quite a beautiful piece.”
Created in a workshop environment, the piece started with little more than a title and was shaped through input from the student cast and the creative team. The script is adapted from a variety of texts and has been supervised by Turner and his assistant director (and Rowan graduate), Katherine Kiessling.
“Our students are learning how to make contemporary theatre,” Turner adds, noting that this production employed a significant level of research and exploration and improvisation on the part of the actors.
The student cast includes AJ Klein of Upper Township; Alexander Brown of Northfield; Alyssa La Pierre of Eastampton; Anthony Magnotta of Runnemede; Caroline Strehl of Washington Township; Colleen Murphy of Cherry Hill; Eduardo Delgado of Wharton; Hailey Hubbs of Mount Laurel; Haley Migeot of Pitman; Jessica Brotherton of Newtonville; Kayla Cousins of Pemberton; Kelly Connors of Barnegat; Kelsey Romeo of Franklinville; Kristy Joe Slough of Wenonah; Kyle Jacobus of Hagerstown, MD; Kyleigh Ericco of Brick; Leah Cohen of Maplewood; Mackenzie Trush of Franklinville; Mahala Roberson of Newark; Marisa Considine of Burke, VA; Michelle Campbell of Colonia; Mike Grubb of Mullica Hill; Nicole Testa of Mullica Hill; Nicky Tintle of Hillsdale; Sabrina Mazzotta of Glendora; Sarah Cheng of Monroe Township; Seth Jackson of Baltimore, MD; Shannon Harkins of Pennington; Tiara Nock of Franklinville; Tonia Fields of Voorhees; and Vanessa Vause of Williamstown. Rowan’s Collegium Musicum early music ensemble is also featured in the performance.
The production is recommended for mature audiences.
Performances are December 8, 9, and 10 at 8:00 p.m. and December 11 at 2:00 p.m. Tohill Theatre is located in Bunce Hall on the campus of Rowan University, Route 322 in Glassboro, NJ. Purchase tickets online at rowan.tix.com. For more information, call the box office at (856) 256-4545, or email arts@rowan.edu. Tickets are $15 (general) and $10 (seniors/non-Rowan students/alumni/staff/military). Rowan students are admitted free with valid ID, based on availability.
