Whichever side you take, you're wrong

By JoAnn Reynolds

Ground Zero Theatre and the University of Calgary Department of Drama are presenting Oleanna by David Mamet for the 5th Annual Alumni show, August 30 – September 4, September 6 – 10, 2005 at the Reeve Theatre at the University of Calgary.

A chilling and provocative drama, Oleanna dissects the controversial issue of sexual harassment from every emotionally charged side of the equation. When a college professor agrees to meet a struggling student behind closed doors, their conversation yields only mutual misunderstanding, and an unexpected charge. As their antipathy turns ugly, it destroys lives, derails careers and ultimately leads to a cataclysmic event that no one could have expected.

First presented in 2001, the Alumni Show brings together U of C alumni who are now professional theatre artists, and combines them with existing students from the Department of Drama.

Dr. James Dugan, head of the Department of Drama, said “the alumni show represents an important community collaboration for us. We co-produce with a professional company . . . so we stay in touch with our working alumni and we provide our students with an introduction to the professional community.”

According to Ryan Luhning, artistic director of Ground Zero Theatre, Oleanna was a perfect choice for this year's alumni show.

“ The play takes place in a university setting and deals with delicate teacher/student relationships and how perception truly exists within the eyes of the beholder. Oleanna also addresses how misinterpretations of another’s actions can lead to the destruction of someone’s entire existence.”

Mamet’s shocking treatise on sexual harassment will star Calgary’s alumni BFA graduates Christopher Hunt and Jamie Konchak and will be directed by MFA graduate student Kate Newby.
Tickets are $15 (adults) / $12 (seniors/students) and are available through Campus Ticket Centre at (403) 220-7202 or at the door.