Carroll’s annual children's play is a U.S. premiere featuring professional media and sound design
HELENA – Carroll College Theatre is producing The Big Magic by Brendan Murray who commissioned to write the work for the Polka Theatre in London. It has never before been produced in the U.S. This production will run April 21-30 in the FLEX Theatre, a black box theatre in the lower level of the Carroll College Campus Center.
Summary from the Plays for Young Audiences website: "Inspired by the paintings of Marc Chagall, The Big Magic is about when the world stops turning, and the desperate, dangerous search to find what will make it start again: the Big Magic that makes the world go round. This sometimes funny, sometimes scary story of Bombo’s quest explores the relationship between fear and selfishness."
Carroll Theatre has hired Stephen Alan Seder, a media artist from the Virginia City Players, to create an interactive digital set design using the illustrations of Carroll senior, Nicole Schumacher. Carroll Theatre has also hired alumnae Amber Barnes ‘04 to direct this piece. All together, this immersive experience is an integration of digital art, soundscaping, handwritten illustrations, and live performance meant to delight audiences of all ages. Kim Shire, assistant professor of theatre at Carroll says, "To our knowledge, no one in Helena has attempted interactive media design in this way. We are excited about using the technology we have to engage our audiences in an emerging art form."
Other items of interest:
- This FLEX theatre production has a capacity of 150 seats, so booking tickets online in advance is recommended.
- Twenty tickets will be reserved for door sales only, beginning one hour before curtain.
- Run time is under an hour.
- Audience age recommendation is 5+, although younger children are welcome and will likely enjoy the animated projections.
Shows will be at 7:30 p.m. on April 21, 22, 28, 29, and at 2:30 on April 23 and 30. Parking is free in the Campus Center lot off of Lyndale for all performances. The theatre is fully ADA accessible through the east entrance of the Campus Center. Tickets are available at the door or online at the Carroll Theatre Online Ticket Storefront. Tickets are $12 for general admission, $9 for students and seniors, $5 for children under 13, and $2 with a current Carroll College ID.
For more information contact:
Kimberly Shire
Assistant Professor of Theatre
Director of Theatrical Production
Carroll College
kshire@carroll.edu