April 2007

Board of Visitors News:

A partnership in play

It was another perfect pairing.

In March, more than 100 guests joined Chancellor Patricia A. Sullivan for hors d'oeuvres at 223 South Elm, where they mingled with faculty, staff, volunteers and UNCG theater students. The guests then headed across the street for a viewing of the Triad Stage's production of the comic farce "Noises Off."

The event, jointly sponsored by the UNCG Board of Visitors and Triad Stage, was designed to highlight the collaborative efforts taking place between the university, the theater and the downtown area.

UNCG and Triad Stage paired up last summer to sponsor Theatre 232, a month-long festival that included productions, acting classes and special events. Theatre 232 provided professional experiences for undergraduate and graduate students. It is expected to continue this summer.

During the event, Richard Whittington, managing director of Triad Stage, and Jim Wren, head of UNCG's theatre department, explained how university students worked with Triad Stage to create and produce their own dramatic performances.

One guest pointed out that "Noises Off," which portrays the action taking place backstage during a play, was a good thematic fit for the event, which allowed friends of the university to see what is going on behind the scenes in the Greensboro community.

The evening was so successful that the Board of Visitors plans to hold another evening of dinner and a live theater production during Triad Stage's next season.