The Mainstage and Actors Studio Series promise to entertain and impress audiences throughout the year, said Jennifer Blackmer, managing director and theatre professor.

"This season promises challenging, provocative and highly entertaining evenings at the theater. This season we're offering a diverse body of plays that explore various facets of the American experience," Blackmer said. "Both our University Theatre Mainstage season and our Strother Actors Studio series feature contemporary and classic plays and musicals by American playwrights."
 
Bill Jenkins, Department of Theatre and Dance chair, echoed Blackmer's assessment of the season.

"This season, we'll explore the far corners of America with a diverse group of shows that will challenge and delight you," Jenkins said.

This year's Mainstage Subscription Series schedule:

"Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992" - 7:30 p.m., Sept. 28-30, Oct. 4-7; 2:30 p.m., Oct. 1. This production of Anna Deavere Smith's work about the Los Angeles riots that ensued after a jury acquitted four police officers of the 1991 Rodney King beating. Smith, an award-winning actor and writer, weaves eyewitness accounts from all ages, races and walks of life into her powerful piece, which explores the complexities of race relationships in America. The production features prominent Ball State alumni Cynda Williams and Warren Jackson, and Roderick Plummer is the guest artistic director.

"Thoroughly Modern Millie" - 7:30 p.m., Nov. 9-11, Nov. 15-18; 2:30 p.m., Nov. 12. This singing, dancing and romancing musical brings all the jazz age razzamatazz of Roaring Twenties' Manhattan to Ball State's main stage. Adapted from a book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan, the Tony-Award winning musical follows irrepressible Millie Dillmount from rags to riches as she leaves her small-town life for the exciting glamour of the Big Apple. This production features music by Jeanine Tesori and lyrics by Dick Scanlan under the direction of Bill Jenkins.

"Rhythm and Soul (A Passion for Latin)," - 7:30 p.m., Dec. 7-9; 2:30 p.m., Dec. 10. Cold winter evenings heat up as Ball State Dance Theatre brings the sultry movement and music of Latin dance to University Theatre. Faculty, students and guest artists choreograph in traditional and contemporary Latin styles to present a spicy evening of dance. This performance will be performed under the artistic direction of Lou Ann Young.

"The Colored Museum" - 7:30 p.m., Feb. 15-17, Feb. 21-24; 2:30 p.m., Feb. 18. Eleven museum "exhibits" create a sophisticated, satirical and funny investigation about what it means to be black in America. Mixing historical references, traditional stereotypes and original music, writer George C. Wolfe both assails and celebrates African-American identity and culture in this controversial and theatrical voyage directed by Dwandra Lampkin.

"Urinetown" - 7:30 p.m., Mar. 29-31, April 4-7; 2:30 p.m., April 1. Broadway's surprise smash hit is a musical parody about a town plagued by a water shortage. A "pay for pee" monopoly rules, and those who break the rules are sent to Urinetown, a place where many "go" but none return. The production is based on a book and lyrics by Greg Kotis and features brassy songs, devilishly good dancing and party humor that even intellectuals will appreciate. The production is directed by Michael Daehn and includes music and lyrics by Mark Hollman.

"Songs from the Silver Screen" - 7:30 p.m., April 25-28. From classic films to new age movies, Ball State Dance Theatre sets the sounds of the screen to dance in this fantastic season finale under the artistic direction of Lou Ann Young. A variety of dance styles will be featured, including jazz, ballet, modern and tap. The production features the best of Ball States talent while celebrating the iconic music of Hollywood throughout the ages.

Individual Mainstage Series tickets are $12 ($11 for Ball State faculty and staff, $9 for senior citizens and $6 for students). Season subscriptions are $40 ($36 for Ball State faculty and staff, $25 for senior citizens and $20 for students). Info: (765) 285-8749.

The Strother Theatre Actors Studio Series will be characterized this year by experimental, intense and provocative theatre. This season's schedule:

"The House of Yes" - 7:30 p.m., Sept. 14-16; 2:30 p.m., Sept. 17. During a Thanksgiving hurricane, Marty Pascal brings his fiancee home to meet his eccentric family in this production of Wendy MacLeod's black comedy set in the 1960s. Marty's impending marriage upsets his unstable sister, who harbors a deep obsession with the Kennedy family and an even deeper obsession with her brother. Dark secrets and strange seductions fuel this production directed by Tony Sirk.

"Erratica: An Academic Farce" - 7:30 p.m., Oct. 19-21, Oct. 24-26; 2:30 p.m., Oct. 21-22. In this comedy by Reina Hardy, a missing 17th century diary, a saucy dead poet and a passionate undergraduate are just a few of the strange problems facing Samantha Shephard, an erratic professor of English literature. The lofty intellectual ideals of the academic word are tested by the carnal desires of the body in this comedy, making its debut at Ball State. Elliott Lemberg will direct the production.

"Polaroid Stories" - 7:30 p.m., April 12-14, April 18-21; 2:30 p.m., April 15. The characters of Ovid's "Metamorphoses" are melded with the lives and stories of young prostitutes, drug dealers and street kids in this drama based on "Raised by Wolves," a photo essay by Jim Goldberg. A street poetry style characterizes each snapshot, offering the audience a deep and powerful look into the complex lives of the lost and forgotten. Written by Naomi Iizuka, the production will be directed by Karen Kessler.

Actors Studio Series tickets cost $8 for the general public and $6 for students and can be purchased at the University Theatre Box Office. Actors Studio productions are not included in the Mainstage Subscription Series.

For further information, visit www.bsu.edu/theatre. The Mainstage Box Office is open Monday through Friday and can be reached at (765) 285-8749.