Kay Martinovich, a director, and Robert Schneider, a playwright, both professors in NIU’s School of Theatre and Dance, will explain “Where Drama Comes From” in a free public lecture Thursday, April 21.
The lecture begins at 5 p.m. in the Diversions Lounge Theatre in the Holmes Student Center.
Both professors will provide examples from their own work.
- Schneider is the author of “Daughters of Waterloo,” a historical generation-gap comedy which opens April 21, also in Diversions Lounge Theatre, and plays through Sunday, April 24, in a production directed by Stanton Davis.
- In December, Martinovich led students in the creation of an original work from scratch: “Women In To Light.”
Martinovich will describe the process of invention, discussion and collaboration that resulted in “Women In To Light.” Schneider will explain the origins of Daughters of Waterloo which, he says, “involved research, some chance encounters, help from my TA and a good deal of luck.”
“Nearly all of the plays we produce have already been produced somewhere else,” Schneider says, “but this year we programmed a devised piece and a world premiere. Kay and I thought people would like to know what it’s like to start with a blank page or a totally empty stage.”
The two professors will illustrate their talk and answer questions afterward. The premier of “Daughters of Waterloo” follows at 7:30 p.m.
The lecture is open to the public; seating is limited. For more information, email martinovichniu@gmail.com or rschneider@niu.edu or call the School of Theatre and Dance Box Office at (815) 753-1337.
