KU Theatre

Tree of Life-Origins and Evolution

Directed by John Staniunas
Choreography by Muriel Cohan and Patrick Suzeau
Scenic Design by Mark Reaney
Lighting Design by Del Unruh
Costume Design by Delores Ringer
Text by Dennis Christilles

Tree of Life - Origins and Evolution, the culmination of the two-year collaborative Creative Campus project at KU, is an exciting production of music, dance, and theatre exploring the intricacy, challenge, and revelation involved in bridging the sciences, humanities, and performing arts. Tree of Life features the contributions of several academic departments at KU, the Lied Center, and a number of resident and touring artists, including the commissioned involvement of two-time Grammy Award-winning David Balakrishnan, founder of the Turtle Island String Quartet. The Creative Campus project is made possible in part by a grant from the Association of Performing Arts Presenters Creative Campus Innovations Grant Program, a component of Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. In addition, the project received support for the composition from the Argosy Foundation.

Cast

Alyson Cripps
Elizabeth Elliott
Tali Friedman
Spencer Holdren
Ryan Klamen
Jacquelyn Koester
Spencer Lott
Darwin Lujan
Maggie Parker
Jake Smith
Mackenzie Wiglesworth

 

Ticket Prices

  • Public: $24
  • All Students: $12
  • April 24, 2009 - 7:30 p.m. - Lied Center
  • April 25, 2009 - 7:30 p.m. - Lied Center

University Daily Kansan article

http://www.kansan.com/stories/2009/apr/24/tree_life/

Costumes & Set

Delores Ringer, associate professor of theatre and film and a scenographer for the University Theatre, makes adjustments to the costume for Mark Summer, cellist for the Turtle Island String Quartet.

Gail Trottier, University Theatre Cutter/Draper, adjusts Turtle Island violinist Mads Tolling's costume.

Pictured are members of the KU Wind Ensemble, Turtle Island String Quartet, University Theatre, and Lied Center technicians during Tree of Life's first technical rehearsal.

Scott Weiss, KU Director of Bands and associate professor of music, looks up from the Lied Center orchestra pit to talk with members of Turtle Island String Quartet about Tree of Life's music as the technical rehearsal process begins.

Performers circle the stage during a dress rehearsal for Tree of Life.

Members of the Turtle Island String Quartet (at right) work with the acting ensemble during a Tree of Life dress rehearsal.

Actors perform a scene from Tree of Life during a dress rehearsal.

Members of the Acting Ensemble for Tree of Life.

A scene depicting evolution from Tree of Life.

Actors perform a scene from Tree of Life.

Three members of the Dance Ensemble from Tree of Life.