Photo Courtesy of Ricardo A. Romero
By Amber Louis
TAMPA, Fla. — Premiering on Oct. 15-18 at the FCA Black Box Theatre is the University of Tampa’s Theatre and Dance department’s first performance of the semester: Delirium’s Daughter, a comedy by Nicholas Korn.
Michael Staczar, Associate Professor of Theatre and Dance, Director of Musical Theatre and Coordinator of Theatre Studies, shares his perspective on the show. “It is a modern take on, I would say, comedia del arte farce. It should be really exciting to see our students performing something that’s sort of steeped in history, but a contemporary sort of twist and take on it.”
Delirium’s Daughter is the first of many performances that the program works towards throughout the entire school year. The best part is: anyone could be a part of the process.
“Auditions are open to all [UTampa] students, faculty, staff, and in some cases we’ve even had alumni come back and audition for us. We have business majors, we have biology majors. We sort of have a cross section of students who have a love for theater and performing and auditioning for our shows,” said Staczar.
Photo Courtesy of Elliana Gorecki
Most students involved, however, are tackling mPhoto Courtesy of Elliana Gorecki
ultiple majors and minors in this program as well as practicing for six performances just this fall semester alone. One of them is directing a show themselves, titled Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom.
“I think that it is amazing that the department encourages students to direct, work backstage, and get out of their comfort zones,” said Logan Baffico, a Theatre and Design double major and Leadership Studies minor directing the show.
After Delirium’s Daughter follows the annual fall dance, as Staczar remarks, the annual dances are, “always exciting events because that’s all student-choreographed work…It’s performed by a variety of students.
One of the most attended events by the student body every semester, the Fall Dance will be located in Falk Theatre from Oct. 28-30.
Before Thanksgiving break, the program will be presenting “RENT,” in which Megan Lisko-Snelling, a senior Musical Theatre major, will be serving in the role of Production Stage Manager.
“The most rewarding thing is the experience gained,” said Lisko-Snelling. “I have worked on so many productions in so many different capacities, and not only has this been a resume builder, but it has brought me the most amazing friendships.”
Photo Courtesy of Elliana Gorecki
This year is the 30th anniversary of “RENT,” which makes it especially special to the cast and crew performing.
“We are so excited to put this up on the Falk Stage, with a fun twist on our regular setup for our band,” Lisko-Snelling said. “This production is definitely going to be one you don’t want to miss.”
To find tickets to future shows, @theatreutampa and @utampaapo on Instagram stay consistently active with show information and content.
“We have shows going on pretty regularly, and following us on Instagram keeps you in the loop,” Baffico said. “A great way to support us is by attending these shows and becoming involved with our program if that interests you.”
Those interested in auditioning for a future performance should look out for an email regarding its location and time. Those interested in working in technology or lights should reach out to mstaczar@ut.edu.