Texas State University's theater program continues to score big hits, not the least of which is its recent announcement that the playwright who won the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play for his Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike - Christopher Durang - will be one of two playwrights in residence for the 2013-14 year.
Durang's play also won Best Play from the New York Drama Critics Circle, the Drama Desk Award, the Outer Critics Circle, the Drama League Award and the Off-Broadway Alliance Award.
John Augustine have been announced as the other playwright in residence as part of the Bowman Guest Artist Series. Besides writing several plays (peopleSpeak) that have been included in playwriting anthologies and produced in New York City theaters, he wrote for the TV show Titus and Encore!Encore! with Nathan Lane and Joan Plowright.
"We are thrilled to have Chris and John spend some time with our students and share their expertise, especially at a time when we are producing one of Durang's musicals" said Kaitlin Hopkins, head of Musical Theatre at Texas State. "It's a great opportunity for all our students in the theatre department to learn from two of the great minds in playwriting today. Their residency will include some exciting events including lectures, Q and As and master classes for the students and the San Marcos community."
"Chris's visit comes at the perfect time. In October we are producing his musical Adrift in Macao, a wonderfully clever parody of film noir movies. It is a very funny show, with a wonderful score [by Peter Melnick] that audiences will love," said Department Chair John Fleming. "Then to have Chris available for Q&As after the Friday and Saturday performances is the kind of event that typically only happens in New York. To have it here, for our students and the community, is an incredible opportunity."
