What: UTC Theatre Company presents Love and Information by Caryl Churchill
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12 – Saturday, Feb. 16; with matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16
Where: 901 Lindsay St., Chattanooga TN
Details: Audiences should be advised that this show contains adult language.
Admission: $12 general admission; $10 for students and seniors. Seating is limited.
Information Purchase tickets at utc.edu/theatre
Cast: Bailey Braden, Autumn Hemmelgarn, Grace Holtz, Madison Parker, MarQuez Pierce, Tate Runyon, Kimberly Rye, Alex Walker, Linsey Watkins, Mikki White, Jessie Wright Rudez
Creative team: Gaye Jeffers (director), Adam Miecielica (set design), Chalise Ludlow (costume design) and Jeff Davis (lighting design and technical direction)
UTC Theatre Company is getting “wacky” this spring, starting with this month’s production of Love and Information from British playwright Caryl Churchill.
“It is kind of a wacky ride,” explains Director Gaye Jeffers.
More than 100 characters and 50 short plays are squeezed into 1 hour, 20 minutes, all of them exploring contemporary issues about communication, technology and our capacity for love. The issues are timely, Jeffers says.
“I think we are currently as a culture suffering from a lack of honesty and how we approach our feelings about love, how we seek information and I think it rings true to us at this time,” she says.
“I would really like for people to consider: Do I listen? Is social media getting in the way? How can I communicate better? How can I better understand? Who am I ignoring? Who am I assigning answers to?”
Love and Information also marks the first time UTC Theatre Company is staging a production away from its usual home in the Fine Arts Center on campus. The center is getting a facelift, so theater productions will be staged in different locations this spring.
Staged at the 901 Lindsay venue, Love and Information is an opportunity for students in the production to get a taste of professional theater. Jeffers say they’re learning how to adjust to new stages and locations, and get out of their comfort zone.
“This is what real theater is,” explains Rebecca Morrison, stage manager for the production, an impressive feat for a freshman.
The cast and crew only had two days to adjust to their new space after jumping around with rehearsals in different campus locations such as the University Center Auditorium. The constant movement has given them lessons in flexibility and helped them gain newfound confidence in their work, members of the production say.
“We’re excited to be out in Chattanooga, not on campus, but in the heart of Chattanooga. I’m going to enjoy it,” Jeffers adds.
