by Theater and dance students at the University of Minnesota spent the last week putting the final touches on their performances before the curtain rises on three new productions Friday evening.
By the time the spring semester ends, more than 30 performances will occur on campus. The cast and even the behind-the-scenes crews are mainly made of students, said theater student Lily Leadbetter.
“We’ve got tons and tons of people running lights, set, costumes, you name it,” Leadbetter said. “There’s so much work going into it, and so much blood, sweat and tears.”
Last week, the community got to see some of that work during “The Mother,” an original rock musical that was sold out for every single show.
On Friday night, students will open Medea, F—ing A, and Rising: A Dance Concert. Later in March, there’ll be a “Shakespeare Shakedown,” and more performances are coming in April.
It’s a reasonable way to experience art in the Twin Cities, considering some of the shows are free to attend.
It’s a peek into the lives of art students and a glimpse at the community they create between classes, theatre student Dominique Drake said.
“We spend so much time together that we’re forced to get to know each other and, in a way, live with each other,” Drake said. “Because there’s just so much time from class to rehearsal, to bathroom breaks.”
Luverne Seifert, theater faculty and director of “The Mother,” said this might be the chance to see future stars in the making
“It’s like seeing a baseball farm team,” Seifert said. “Some of these students we had here tonight in the show may very well have a professional career in the future. I think it’s important to support those students, to come in and support the future of theater and be part of the celebration.”
