UofL's 2016-17 theatre season kicks off in September with August Wilson’s “Fences.”
UofL's 2016-17 theatre season kicks off in September with August Wilson’s “Fences.”

UofL’s Theatre Arts announced its 2016-17 season, which offers a Pulitzer Prize winning drama from August Wilson’s famed 20th Century Cycle, a beloved Shakespearian tragedy, an exploration of diversity on college campuses, a Broadway hit comedy and a Greek classic.

“This season capitalizes on the range and diversity of our department’s faculty directors and deepens our relationships with talented colleagues in Louisville’s theater community,” said Nefertiti Burton, chair of the department. “The plays we are offering this season will provide challenging performance opportunities for our students and stimulating, thought-provoking entertainment for our audiences.”

The season kicks off with August Wilson’s “Fences” Sept. 21-25 by UofL’s African American Theatre Program. The drama examines the African American experience in the 1950s and is directed by Baron Kelly, who has acted in half of Wilson’s 10-play cycle in major regional theaters in Oregon, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

“King Lear,” an official event of Will in the Ville, Louisville’s year-long celebration of all things William Shakespeare, runs Nov. 10-14 and Nov. 17-20.

The African American Theatre Program also presents “Baltimore” by Kirsten Greenidge Feb. 2-6 and Feb. 9-12. The play, directed by Burton, raises evocative themes of diversity and tolerance within the setting of a college campus.

From March 1-5, Russ Vandenbrouke directs “Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike,” a hit comedy by Christopher Durang derived from the works of Anton Chekhov.

The season wraps up April 19-23 with “Antigone.” Andrew Harris directs Sophocles’ classic Greek tragedy about sisters Antigone and Ismene who ask, which is mightier, the laws of God or man? 

All plays are at Thrust Theatre, 2314 South Floyd St., except for “King Lear” and “Antigone” which will run at The Playhouse, 1911 South Third St. All plays start at 8 p.m. with 3 p.m. Saturday or Sunday matinees.

Season tickets are $50, which saves as much as $25 on the purchase of all five plays. Individual tickets are available as well. To order tickets or for more information, call 502-852-6814 or click here

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Niki King
Niki King Jones is positive she has the best job at the University of Louisville, serving the communication needs of the departments of fine arts and theatre, the School of Music, University Libraries and Alumni – all the fun, creative stuff. Before coming to UofL in 2015, Niki held communication positions in both private and nonprofit sectors in Louisville, Ky., including at Heaven Hill Distilleries and the Jewish Community of Louisville. For 10 years prior, she was a reporter at various newspapers across the country, most recently The Courier-Journal. Niki graduated from the University of Memphis with a BA in journalism and has a masters degree in community and leadership development from the University of Kentucky.