The University of Florida (UF) School of Theatre + Dance in conjunction with the UF Samuel Proctor Oral History Program will present Gator Tales, a new script devised and directed by Professor Kevin Marshall, Feb. 13-22, 2015 in the Black Box Theatre located in the Nadine McGuire Theatre and Dance Pavilion on UF’s campus. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. February 13-14 and February 17-21, and at 2 p.m. February 15 and Feb. 22, 2015.
Gator Tales is a provocative drama that tells the story of African-American students at the University of Florida from the period of integration to the present. Performing before projection designs featuring iconic UF and historical landmarks and events, the actors being led by Marshall are taking on the challenge of portraying real-life individuals both honestly and accurately.
“The cast has a responsibility in this ‘archival drama’ of bringing to life people they’ve never met,” said Marshall. “This archival drama that is Gator Tales highlights their extraordinary life experiences.”
The character’s stories are drawn from the oral history archive of the UF Samuel Proctor Oral History Program and the Alachua County African American History Project. Interviews of Joel Buchanan, Ron Coleman, Bernard Hicks, Thomas Holland Fay, Joseph McCloud, Maime Lee Leath, Evelyn Moore Mickle, Stephan Mickle, Leitha Nichols, David Padgett, Laura Scott Reaves, Samuel Taylor, Gladys Thompson and Albert White are featured in the production.
Marshall received his MFA in Directing from Ohio University and has both produced and directed in his career. He has worked in New York City on staff at the Manhattan Theatre Club and Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Some of his directing credits at the university include Scapino, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), American Western and Miss Witherspoon.
The cast of Gator Tales includes Crissie Auguste, Anthony Bido, Drew Bryan, C’Andre Codner, Nadine Louis, Tom Miller, Mikell Pinkney, Andrew Quimby, Chelsi Stancil, Racquelle Wallace, Everett Yancey and Alissa Zimmett.
Tickets are $17 for the general public, and are $13 for students, UF faculty/staff and senior citizens. Group rates are available for parties of eight or more. Tickets are available through the University Box Office located at Gate 1 of the Stephen C. O'Connell Center, by calling 352-392-1653 or at ticketmaster.com. The University Box Office is open Tuesdays through Fridays: 12-5:30 p.m. and Saturdays: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased at the Constans Theatre Box Office starting 45 minutes prior to the performance.
The Nadine McGuire Theatre and Dance Pavilion is located at 687 McCarty Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611. Parking is available across the street from the UF Bookstore & Welcome Center on the University of Florida located on Museum Road.
This event has been funded in part by a Tourist Development Tax Grant from the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners in conjunction with the Alachua County Tourism Development Council.
About the School of Theatre + Dance
The School of Theatre + Dance is one of the University of Florida College of the Arts’ institutionally-accredited schools. Undergraduate students can pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in acting, dance, musical theatre, theatre production—including costume design, lighting design and scenic design—or a Bachelor of Arts degree in dance studies or general theatre. Minors are also offered in dance and theatre as well as certificates in arts in medicine and dance in healthcare. Student organizations, showcase programs and other intensives provide students with invaluable professional experiences. UF is home to three School of Theatre + Dance performance venues, including the Constans Theatre, Black Box Theatre and G-6 Studio. To learn more about the School of Theatre + Dance, including upcoming performance dates and ticket information, visit www.arts.ufl.edu/theatreanddance.
About the College of the Arts
The College of the Arts, previously known as the College of Fine Arts, is one of the 16 colleges and more than 150 research centers and institutes at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. The College of the Arts offers baccalaureate, master’s and Ph.D. degree programs in its three institutionally-accredited schools — the School of Art + Art History, School of Music and School of Theatre + Dance. The college is home to the Center for Arts in Medicine, Center for Arts and Public Policy, Center for World Arts, Digital Worlds Institute, University Galleries and the New World School of the Arts in Miami. More than 100 faculty members and approximately than 1,200 students work together daily to engage, inspire and create. The college hosts more than 300 performances, exhibitions and events each year. Faculty and students also exhibit and perform at other local, national and international venues. To learn more, visit www.arts.ufl.edu.
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Media Contact
Leah Craig, Public Relations and Marketing Manager
University of Florida College of the Arts
Office: 352.273.1489 | Cell: 904.419.3346
lcraig@arts.ufl.edu
