WISCONSIN PREMIERE
The Amateurs
November 4 - 21, 2021
WRITTEN BY Jordan Harrison
DIRECTED BY Jen Uphoff Gray
“Among the themes that light up like fireflies here and there are the nature of sin, the purpose of art, the low status of actors and the low status of humans in general. If history has been a drama, it has consigned almost everyone throughout time to the chorus.”
– The New York Times
RETURNING TO THE STAGE AFTER CANCELLATION IN MARCH 2020!
Hollis is a performer in an itinerant troupe of actors attempting to outrun the Black Plague in this 14th century-set comedy by the author of Marjorie Prime. The Renaissance is still in the future, and so is the concept of self-determination. So when Hollis stops a performance to wonder why Mrs. Noah would get on that ark, she throws her castmates into chaos.
A story set in the past that eloquently reflects our present. This centuries-spanning play delights in the imaginations of theater-makers and theater-goers everywhere. And in a tale as inventive and hilarious as its characters, The Amateurs considers the purpose of art in a dark world.
Overture Center for the Arts
201 State St,
Madison, WI 53703
Sponsored By:
Nancy Ciezki & Diane Kostecke
Steve & Jacqui Suleski
DeWitt LLP
State Bank of Cross Plains
Our Lives magazine
About the show
Runtime:
105 minutes
Performance Dates:
Nov 4 – 21, 2021
Age Recommendations:
Appropriate for ages 15+
Accessibility
We strive to make our performances available to the entire community. This guiding principle captures the theater we aim to be.
We’re proud to be a resident company at Overture Center, which provides practical accessibility for a variety of needs.
Live Lecture Series
In addition to our Preshow Lectures on Thursdays and Sundays, we are excited to offer a unique lecture series on Saturday evenings during the production run. Lectures will also be streaming on YouTube.
Saturday, 11/6 at 6:30pm: The History of AIDS in Madison – WATCH ONLINE
Presented by Dick Wagner
Dick Wagner is a local historian and author of “We’ve Been Here All Along: Wisconsin’s Early Gay History,” and will speak about issues relating the the LGBTQ+ community and the history of AIDS in Madison.
Saturday 11/13 at 6:30pm: Traditions of Medieval Theater – WATCH ONLINE
Presented by Martin Foys
Martin Foys is a professor in Medieval Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and will provide insight into the history and traditions within medieval theater.
Saturday 11/20 at 6:30pm: The Macabre and the Performance of Death – WATCH ONLINE
Presented by Thomas Dale
Thomas Dale is the UW Director of Medieval Studies and Professor of Art History, and will give a lecture on the macabre and the performance of death in late medieval art and visual culture.
Cast
James Carrington
BromMatt Daniels
LarkingTy Fanning
PhysicEmily Glick
RonaJosh Krause
GregoryKat Wodtke
HollisWilliam Bolz
UnderstudyWhitney Derendinger
UnderstudySarah Streich
UnderstudyCreative Team
Nathan Stuber
Scenic DesignerJason Fassl
Lighting DesignerMonica Kilkus
Costume DesignerJoe Cerqua
Sound Designer and ComposerPam Miles
Props DesignerMike Fischer
DramaturgSarah Deming-Henes
Stage ManagerAbbi Hess
ASMKevin Zimmer
Technical DirectorWith rag-tag determination, ‘The Amateurs’ takes on God, theater — and a pandemic
– By Gayle Worland | Wisconsin State Journal (exclusive preview)
“‘The Amateurs’ may be the most important production of the season.” – Forward Theater presents ‘The Amateurs’
– By Mary Boyle | Ozaukee Living Local (review)
A tale for a dark time – Forward Theater’s ‘The Amateurs’ demonstrates the importance of storytelling in all ages
– By Gwendolyn Rice | Isthmus (review)
‘The Amateurs’ invokes important questions in times of plague
– By Veronica Kuffel | The Badger Herald (review)
Players run from a plague in Forward Theater’s darkly comedic ‘The Amateurs’
– By Lindsay Christians | The Cap Times (review)
More from this season
September 9 - 26, 2021
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February 24 - March 13, 2022
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April 21 - May 8, 2022
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