Theatrical 'Journeys' on tap at SIUC

The 2006 theatrical "Journeys" productions at SIUC begin Thursday, March 30, and play through April 7.

The brainchild of David Rush, head of playwriting for the SIUC Department of Theater, "Journeys" is a collection of new plays written by SIUC playwrights.

Writing a new play is like a journey, Rush said. The writer starts out at one place and heads toward another. Sometimes it ends where the writer thought it might, other times it doesn't. What matters, he said, are the discoveries the writer makes along the way.

The productions will be performed in the Christian H. Moe Lab Theater in the SIUC Communications Building.

Bill A, titled "Minus," will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, March 30-April 1. It will consist of:

• "The Cosmos in My Feet," by Neal Ryan Shaw. It is a story of two young men who subvert an overlord's dominion...through dance.
• "Antarctica," by Michael Rose. It is about two characters who look over the edge of nothing after the end of everything and try to decide what, if anything they, should do.
• "Awkward Silence," by Tom Campbell. It is a look at a relationship changing through time.

Bill B, titled "Plus," performs at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, April 5-7. It features:

• "Slash," by Laramie Dean. It is about a writer with a block and the manifestation of a dead and talkative character.
• "Glory Cloud," by Randall Colburn. It is the story of a soon-to-be pastor's struggle with faith.

In addition, both bills will include the performance of monologues inspired by the masks from the 2nd International Mask Conference in October.

Tickets to each bill are $5 and are available at the door or at the box office, noon to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please note the April 7 performance is already sold out.

For additional information contact the box office at 618/453-3001.