International Play Festival Spotlights Canadian Identity

The Ohio Northern University Freed Center for the Performing Arts presents the eighth International Play Festival in the Stambaugh Studio Theatre from Wednesday, March 24, to Saturday, March 27, at 8 p.m. Matinee performances are scheduled for Saturday, March 27, and Sunday, March 28, at 2 p.m.

This year’s festival will focus on Canadian identity, and ONU has commissioned new works from two emerging Canadian artists who represent diversity within the Arts: Asian-Canadian Elyne Quan and African-Canadian Edwige Jean-Pierre.

Quan holds a master of fine arts in dramatic writing from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Quan’s newest piece, which will make its world premiere at this festival, deals with issues of consequences and regret. Joan Robbins, ONU lecturer in communication arts, will direct Quan’s work.

Jean-Pierre will perform her own one-woman show, “Even Darkness is Made of Light,” a poignant story dealing with teenage suicide. A Toronto-based, bilingual actor and writer, Jean-Pierre is a graduate of the University of Ottawa and Studio 58’s acting program in Vancouver. Her comedy sketches have been seen at the Hysteria Festival and the International Edgy Women Festival. She is a member of the both Obsidian Theatres Playwright Unit and Tarragon Theatres Playwright Unit.  

Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for seniors and non-ONU students, $9 for children, and $5 for ONU students. The Freed Center box office is open Monday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Phone orders are accepted with American Express, MasterCard, VISA or Discover by calling 419-772-1900. Tickets are also available online at www.freedcenter.com

Published: Fri, 03/12/2010 - 10:16am