Informances are short talks that discuss the plays and playwrights that are being performed on the main stage by the University of Memphis, Department of Theater that lead into a discussion of the play.

These are followed by receptions that precede the performance. They are generally held on the first Saturday performance at 6:00 PM before an 8:00 PM show in the lobby of the College of Communications and Fine Arts Building.

Spring 2011

February 19, 2011 at 6:00 PM

Tennessee William's A Streetcar Named Desire

By Jeffrey Scraba, Assistant Professor of English

The University of Memphis Department of Theatre and Dance will feature a production of Tennessee Williams’ masterpiece Streetcar Named Desire. This classic play takes Southern Gothic to the French Quarter of New Orleans as the realities of fading social distinction and clashing cultures underpin the interactions of the DuBois sisters and the fiery Stanley Kowalski.

To learn more about Tennessee Williams and this acclaimed play, join us for an informance from Dr. Jeffrey Scraba of the University of Memphis’ English department. The informance will be followed by a reception, both of which will precede the 8:00 pm performance of the play.

Fall 2010

November 13, 2010 at 6:00 PM

William Shakespeare‘s The Comedy of Errors

By Joshua Philips, Associate Professor of English

William Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors tells the humorous story of two sets of identical twins that were switched at birth. Through the strategic use of puns and word play, Shakespeare plays on the story of mistaken identity and the chaos that it causes: infidelity, madness, seduction, and demonic possession ensue.

The informance is followed by a robust reception and precedes a performance of the play at 8:00 p.m., which runs November 11-13 and November 18-20.

October 11, 2010 at 6:00 PM

Love in a Time of War

By Playwright Catherine Ladnier, Theatre and Communications Building Room 235

This informance, preceding the first night’s opening, will feature a unique opportunity to hear from the playwright Catherine Ladnier about the back-story of the play. Her discussion will be followed by a reception.

Leslie Barker directs Love in a Time of War.

The narrative tells the story of the hardships involving love and romance during World War II and is based on the real-life letters sent across the world by Southerners longing for their beloved.

Ordinary men and women met extraordinary challenges during this time. The men were facing the draft or were in uniform.  Some saw action. The women were lonely and dealing with shortages. Their letters are candid, sad and funny. These poignant and pointed portraits paint a different side of war.

The letters were saved by Eva Lee Brown of Easley, SC, and discovered more than 50 years later by her daughter Catherine Ladnier.

Spring 2010

Dark of the Moon

Led by Barbara Ching, Department of English, The University of Memphis. Saturday, April 17 at 6:00 PM.

Fall 2008

Eurydice

Led by Barbara Ching, Department of English, The University of Memphis. Saturday, November 15 at 6:00 PM.

Cyrano

Led by Bob Hetherington, Department of Theatre, The University of Memphis. Saturday, February 14 at 5:45 PM in the Main Theatre.

The African Company Presents: Richard III

Led by Ladrica Menson-Furr, Department of English, The University of Memphis. Saturday, April 18 at 6:00 PM.

Marcus W. Orr Center for the Humanities