Tech Players gearing up for 48th season with auditions for Betty's Summer Vacation Sept. 16 - 17

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 6, 2002) – "Something old and something new" isn't just a phrase to describe wedding traditions — it's also a good way to describe the 48th season of Tennessee Tech University's drama troupe.

This year, the Tech Players will present three contemporary shows exploring current social themes, and the season will round out with an adaptation of Shakespeare's classic, Romeo and Juliet.

"Audiences can expect a tremendously exciting year of cutting-edge theater," said Director Mark Creter. "This season of shows continues our artistic mission of presenting challenging productions of recent, award-winning and classic plays."

But it's still not too late for actors to audition for the season opener, Betty's Summer Vacation, Creter added. Auditions are set for 7 to 10 p.m., Monday - Tuesday, Sept. 16 - 17, at the Backdoor Playhouse.

Parts are available for five men and four women, and no preparation is necessary.

The Christopher Durang comedy won four Obie Awards — for playwriting, directing, set design and acting — and will run on campus Nov. 14 - 23.

The rest of the season line-up is:

• Third Annual V-Day Production of Eve Ensler's Obie Award-winning Vagina Monologues, Feb. 13 - 15.

• Fourth Annual New Directors Series presents Closer, written by Patrick Marber and winner of New York Drama Critics Circle Award for best foreign play and Evening Standard Award for best comedy, Feb. 27 - March 4. Matthew Bassett will direct it.

• Joe Calarco's adaptation of "Shakespeare's R & J," April 25 - May 2.

For more information about play schedules or auditions, call Creter at 372-3478 or check out the new Backdoor Playhouse web site at www.tntech.edu/bdph.

--Tracey LeFevre

This information posted 13 September 2002