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SJRCC Press Release
February 2009
Florida School of the Arts presents “R.U.R.”
Prepare to venture near the end of humanity as Florida School of the Arts presents “R.U.R.” (Rossum’s Universal Robots), the classic science fiction drama that popularized the term robot. The show runs February 26 - 28 at 7:30 p.m. and March 1 at 2:30 p.m. on the FloArts Main Stage Theatre at the St. Johns River Community College Palatka Campus. Admission is $5. The play is considered suitable for all audiences, but does contain a violent battle scene.
The play combines the elements of science fiction and fantasy to tell the age-old story of robots that want to overcome the world. FloArts instructor and play director Patricia Crotty said that although the play by Karel Capek is nearly 90 years old, the story is prophetic. “The play raises some serious issues of personal responsibility toward the world. It questions how we all too often blindly follow the dictates of science and the laws of supply and demand in business.”
Crotty said the play is a fun melodrama that examines what it means to be human. The play begins with robots that seem happy to work for humans until the desire to further humanize and liberate them soon disrupts the delicate balance between machines and people. “The robots go to war with humans because they want to be more like humans,” Crotty said. “From the robots’ point of view, that’s what humans do. They conquer and dominate.”
Scenic and lighting design instructor Robert O’Leary said the design of the production, while not specifically labeling a time period, will nod to the world of Art Deco. “We too, have looked at creating a world where the making of sentient machines is believable. The audience will see a production experience that displays this nostalgic look at a future world with scenic pieces of wood, metal and large scale sculpture on a fully rotating stage,” O’Leary said.
“The production is truly a multimedia experience incorporating performance, design and multimedia students and faculty to create this rather magical lesson. Drafting, carpentry, welding, faux finishing, automation, foam carving, music production, stage lighting, pattern making, stitching, crafting and much more will be evident in their hard work on opening night,” he said.
The featured cast list includes Jany Bacallao as Domain, Nina Ramos as Helena, Laurence Davis as Helman, Andy Deveroux as Fabry, Cameron Henderson as Berman, Kyle Riggs as Alquist, Alix Daugherty as Emma, Brian Lugo as Gall, Marissa Toogood as Sulla, Matt Scites as Marius, Anya Kross as Radius, Kip Lacombe as Primus, Nina Ramos as Helena Robotess, Patrick Taylor as Old Rossum, and Justin Register as Young Rossum.
Robot soldiers will be played by Alejandro Rodriguez, Scites, Osmary Nieves, Micheal Philips, Colleen Fahy, Mandi Connor, Toogood, Logan Wolf, Patrick Taylor. Mandi Conner will also play a robot office worker, and video narrators are Toogood and Lacombe.
The production staff includes robot director and new media designer Aaron Alexander; assistant director Kaitria Resetar; stage manager Alexandra Hernandez; assistant stage managers Justin Register and Lyle Lopez; production assistant Megan Georgeo; house manager Mark Glass, costume designer Lynnsey Slanina; assistant costume designer Kelley Farley; costume shop manager Pamela J. Endicott; set designer Robert O’Leary; light designer Romen Phelps; sound designer Charles Rye; technical directer Thad Engle; properties master Christopher Parrish; props runner Cherisse Long; assistant set designer Jordan Vera; assistant charge artists Charles Rye, Rebecca Hamilton, and Rick Lawane; light board operator Jordan Vera; and sound board operator Rick Lawane.
Robot machinists are Angi Pasco, Arlene Felipe, Andy Jean Mary, Lawrance Czermak, Emily VanDam, Sarah Van Marter, Steven Mignone, Samantha Reyes, Alexandra Hernandez, and Kelley Farley.
Florida School of the Arts is Florida’s first state-supported professional arts school that serves the entire state of Florida and awards the two-year associate degree. FloArts is located on the SJRCC Palatka Campus. For more information, call 386-312-4300 or visit the Web site at www.floarts.org.
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
FloArts students rehearse a scene from R.U.R., the science fiction play where robots achieve their ultimate goal – to overcome their creators. Left to right: robots Alejandro Rodriguez and Micheal Philips turn on the CEO of the robot factory, Jany Bacallao, who plays the part of Domain.
FloArts students rehearse a scene from R.U.R., the science fiction play where robots achieve their ultimate goal – to overcome their creators. Robots Alejandro Rodriguez (left) and Logan Wolf (right) overcome Dr. Gall, who is portrayed by Brian Lugo.
Hopelessly smitten by Helena, the robot management team tries to convince her to remain at the factory, where she will soon convince Dr. Gall to further humanize the robots. Left to right: Brian Lugo, Andy Deveroux, Nina Ramos, Cameron Henderson and Jany Bacallao.
The victorious robots assess the damage of their now dehumanized planet in the Florida School of the Arts production of R.U.R. Robots, left to right: Patrick Taylor, Alejandro Rodriguez and Logan Wolf. Humans, left to right: Andy Deveroux, Jany Bacallao, Nina Ramos and Cameron Henderson.
FloArts students rehearse a scene from R.U.R., the science fiction play where robots achieve their ultimate goal – to overcome their creators. Robots Alejandro Rodriguez (left) and Logan Wolf (right) overcome Dr. Gall, who is played by Brian Lugo, as robot Micheal Philips approaches from behind.
Return to SJRCC home page.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Susan Kessler
SJRCC Director of Public Relations and Publications
5001 St. Johns Avenue
Palatka, FL 32177
(386) 312-4020
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