The Denison University theatre department opens its 75th subscription season with the production of playwright Neil LaBute's "The Shape of Things." Performances are at 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday (Sept. 30-Oct. 1) and Tuesday through Saturday (Oct. 4-8) in the Burke Black Box Theatre. Tickets can be reserved by calling the theatre box office at (740) 587-6527 and are $8 general admission and $5 for seniors.

Directed by Holly Cate, visiting assistant professor, "The Shape of Things" is a darkly comic look at relationships and our obsession with appearances as it raises questions about love, transformation, art and morality. The play is set at a liberal arts college in a small Midwestern town and centers around the lives of four students who discover just how much they are willing to do for love -- and for art.

"This play is a terrific opportunity for student actors to bring their own lives to the stage," said Cate. "It's rare that undergraduate actors have the chance to wrestle with their own issues on stage. In my direction, I hope the students of Denison see their world in this play."

A professional actor, director and teacher from New York City, Cate's acting credits include Broadway, regional and New York theatre and a role on the CBS soap, "As the World Turns." She earned her undergraduate degree from Harvard and a master's degree in fine arts from Brandeis University.

Cast members include senior Caitlin McCown (Beloit, Wis.), juniors Paige Sawin (Malvern, Pa.) and Christian Vernon (Matthews, N.C.), and sophomore Lowell Byers (Chappaqua, N.Y.). Senior Emily Meagher (Evansville, Ind.) serves as stage manager.

Associate Professor Peter Pauze is the set designer and Visiting Assistant Professor Mark Sorensen serves as costume designer. In addition, Mary Sykes is working as lighting designer and Jeff Stone is providing the soundscape.

CALENDAR INFORMATION: Denison University,The Denison theatre department opens its 75th season with the production of Neil LaBute's "The Shape of Things"; 8 p.m., Friday-Saturday (Sept. 30-Oct. 1) and Tuesday-Saturday (Oct. 4-8) in the Burke Black Box Theatre (240 West Broadway). Tickets are $8 general admission and $5 for seniors. To reserve tickets or for more information, please call the theatre box office at (740) 587-6527.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

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(740) 587-8575