Travel back to 1915 with the simple story of love between Horace Robedeaux and Elizabeth Vaughn. “Courtship” and “Valentine’s Day” are one-act plays from Horton Foote’s The Orphans’ Home Cycle that deal with loss, connection to family, and the uncertainty and excitement of falling in love.

The West Virginia University School of Theatre and Dance will present the touching stories March 4-5 at 7:30 p.m., March 6 at 2 p.m., March 8-12 at 7:30 p.m., and March 13 at 2 p.m. in the Gladys G. Davis Theatre at the Creative Arts Center.

“Courtship” and “Valentine’s Day” examines love from a time period when being upfront with your feelings and emotions was not socially acceptable. Young lovers would court each other, oftentimes under the scrutiny of the family and the community to make sure proper decorum was being followed. These one-acts bring the audience back to a time when security and family connection took precedence over the emotional and physical attraction.

Elizabeth Vaughn and Horace Robedeaux have to wrestle with love under the constraints of a more conservative society. Horace feels true love for Elizabeth, but has to struggle against his own fears as well as the fears of Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn, who only want the best for their daughter. Elizabeth must realize what it means to become independent while remaining connected to her roots, and balance the love for her blood family versus the family she will build.

“Courtship” and “Valentine’s Day” are directed by Jerry McGonigle who describes Foote as “an unsung hero of the world of American playwrights. His works are so heartfelt and so beautiful about what it means to be a human.”

Costumes are designed by Master of Fine Arts candidate Lauren Brennan, scenery by Jacob Bigelow, and lighting and sound by Alan McEwen

The cast features MFA Acting students Lonnie Simmons, Madeline Hintz, and Joseph Bussey; Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting students Maggie Dranfield, Isaac Snyder, Katie Boothby, Mallory Robson, Woody Pond, Joshua Clevenger, Brianna Bowers, and Zach Powers

For tickets, please call the WVU Box Office at 304.293.SHOW or visit Ticketmaster.

For more information on this production of “Courtship” and “Valentine’s Day” please visit theatre.wvu.edu, call 304-293-2020, or email theatre@mail.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

mg/2/23/2016

CONTACT: David Welsh, College of Creative Arts
304.293.3397, David.Welsh@mail.wvu.edu

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