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| Libby Appel |
We’re so excited about the team we’ve assembled for our production
of Vanya, which includes both new and
familiar faces.
Libby Appel returns to PlayMakers to direct this production. She was last here during the 2008/09 Season directing
The Glass Menagerie. Libby spent 21
seasons as artistic director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. In 2010, she became only the sixth
person to receive the Kennedy Center’s Stephen and Christine Schwarzman Legacy
Award for Excellence in Theatre, which recognizes “lifetime achievement in
theatre and unparalleled commitment to the future of the art form through
teaching.” Not only does she have an incredible career as a director and leader,
she has a rich history adapting the works of Anton Chekhov. She seemed like the
perfect director to tackle Durang’s love letter/send up of Russia’s greatest
playwright.
Designing the Bucks County estate where all the action of the play
takes place is scenic designer Michael Dempsey. Michael comes to PlayMakers
from Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (PCPA) in Santa Monica,
California. This is his first time designing for PlayMakers. Michael is the conservatory
director and director of technical training for PCPA and has also designed for the
Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Sacramento Theatre Company, Contemporary American
Theater Festival, Syracuse Stage Williamstown Theater Festival and
Off-Broadway.
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| Jan Chambers |
PlayMakers brilliant
resident designer Jan Chambers is creating the costumes for the show which range from the pedestrian to
something straight out of a fairytale. You’ll remember her work on the set and
clothes for last year’s rep of The Tempest and Metamorphose. Jan
is a faculty member of the Department of Dramatic Art at UNC Chapel Hill, where
she teaches theatre, scenic and costume design.
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| Peter West. Photographer: Kate Dale |
The lighting designer for Vanya will be Peter West. Peter has a
long-standing relationship with PlayMakers and has done the lights for many
shows here over the years including: Blue Door, The Bluest Eye, Yellowman,
Luminosity, Hobson's Choice, Uncle Vanya, Proof and Playboy of the Western
World. West is based in Brooklyn, New York.
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike will be performed
at PlayMakers September 17 through October 5. Subscriptions for the 2014/2015
season are on sale now and single tickets will be available in July.
