The West Virginia University School of Theatre and Dance LAB Theatre will present three workshop performances of Ovation Award-winning, Los Angeles-based playwright Meghan Brown’s exciting new work, “The Pliant Girls,” loosely based on Aeschylus’ “The Suppliants,” Feb. 13-15 in the Vivian Davis Michael Laboratory Theatre located in the Creative Arts Center.

“The Pliant Girls” follows Courtney, Kay, Leta, Philomena and Arianna — five of 50 “sisters” living on a small island, who are ironically promised in marriage to their neighboring fifty cousins. As they strive toward freedom from their situation, the sisters discover how the limitations of their lives together have shaped their own personal points of view, resulting in a poignant and humorous look at contemporary sisterhood.

Meghan Brown is the resident playwright for Fugitive Kind Theater in Los Angeles, and will be visiting the School of Theatre and Dance as a guest artist during the final rehearsal period and opening performance of the workshop of “The Pliant Girls” on Feb. 13. She will give a “talkback” after the show.

While visiting, Brown will also oversee a workshop reading of her other work, “Psyche,” directed by WVU Theatre student Brittany Hildebrand, on Feb 12.

Brown’s other credits include “Trochilidae,” “The Fire Room,” and “Perfect Teeth for Crocodile Land.” She recently sold the romantic comedy feature “Ambrazilica” to Senate Productions, and has written, directed, and/or produced more than 20 comedic short films.

“What was most important to me in developing ‘The Pliant Girls’ was to show the importance of having compassion for humanity as a whole — it’s not an extremist rant of ‘men are bad, women are victims,’” said Brown. “Gender equality was what I was conscious about throughout the development process, with each character dealing with the uncertainties and complications that arise throughout their journey.”

LAB Theatre is student-produced and student-driven, with students embracing limitation as the gateway to innovation. The budget for the program is kept purposely low, and in turn, gives students unlimited freedom with their creativity and imaginations.

“We could not be luckier to have Meghan Brown visiting our campus. She’s on the cusp of fame, and to be able to present a play of hers is incredibly exciting for the cast and crew, and our department in general,” said Jim Knipple, artist in residence and chair of the LAB Theatre Program. “This is going to be one not to be missed.”

“The Pliant Girls” is directed by Bachelor of Fine Arts theater student Max Gould. His previous credit for LAB Theatre was as the director for last season’s production of “Dutchman” by Amiri Baraka.

“This is my second play here at WVU and I’ve fallen into a custom of doing plays about moving forward as society: racial issues, gender issues,” Gould said. “With each instance I’ve been able to grow myself. That’s why I do it: so that I, and my audience, can walk out thinking about the show and learning something, to connect with them on an intellectual level through emotional appeal. ‘The Pliant Girls’ is right up my lane and I know people will leave this workshop feeling better about their station in society.”

“The Pliant Girls” features WVU Theatre students Megan Peters, Taylor Morgan, Mallory Robson, Matthew Feldman, and Ben Brooks. Lighting design is by Bachelor of Fine Arts Design/Tech student Daniel Del Busto. The show is in the Vivian Davis Michael Laboratory Theatre February 13-14 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 15 at 2 p.m.

Admission is free, but seating is limited. The show contains strong language and mature themes.

For more information on this production of “The Pliant Girls” please visit theatre.wvu.edu, call 304-293-2020, or email theatre@mail.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

sf/2/11/15

CONTACT: Charlene Lattea, College of Creative Arts
304-293-4359, Charlene.Lattea@mail.wvu.edu

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