The Oregon Center for the Arts at Southern Oregon University presents “She Stoops to Conquer” by Oliver Goldsmith

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(Ashland, Ore.) – The Theatre Arts program of the Oregon Center for the Arts at Southern Oregon University presents “She Stoops to Conquer” by Oliver Goldsmith in the Center Stage Theatre on the Southern Oregon University campus. Performances run on Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 26-28 and March 5-7 at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, March 7-8 at 2 p.m.
One of the most popular comedies of all time, “She Stoops to Conquer” centers on the misadventures of Marlow, a young gentleman who can barely speak to genteel ladies but easily flirts with lower-class women. Enter Kate Hardcastle, a cousin of Shakespeare’s resourceful comic heroines, who conquers—and reforms—our callow hero by stooping to the disguise of a serving girl. Subtitled “The Mistakes of a Night,” Goldsmith’s play abounds with pranks and deceptions and some of the most memorable comic characters ever created.
“This is possibly the funniest, most accessible play of the Restoration comedy of manners genre,” said director Dennis Smith. “At the time that Goldsmith wrote the play, there were two types of comedies: romantic comedies, intended to create emotion in the audience, and laughing comedies. This play is a laughing comedy in the style of Shakespeare’s ‘Comedy of Errors,’ with lots of satire, farce, mistaken identities and physical theatre.”
Smith, an emeritus professor with the SOU Theatre Arts program, has directed 30 productions in 26 seasons at Southern Oregon University, most recently “Lucky Stiff” by Ahrens and Flaherty, “Taking Steps” by Alan Ayckbourn, “Wild Oats” by John O’Keeffe, his adaptation of “An Enemy of the People” by Henrik Ibsen, and “Arcadia” by Tom Stoppard. He has also directed productions for the Rogue Opera, Britt Festivals, Oregon Cabaret Theatre, and Lyric Theatre.
The ensemble features Sarah Brizek, Mark Brown, Connor Bryant, Connor Chaney, Charlie Melville, Karl Osladil, Chandler Parrott-Thomas, Jonathan Reeves, Kyle Sanderson, Neal Schoonmaker, Erik Weiss, Mig Windows and Aleah Zimmer. “This production is a wonderful chance for the cast to explore a classic genre and develop technical comedic skills,” said Smith. “Such modern-day playwrights as Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, Noël Coward and Tom Stoppard carry on Goldsmith’s comedic tradition.”
The scenic designer is Sean O’Skea, costume designer is Clara Painter, lighting designer is Katherine Landon and sound designer is Evan Carbone. The assistant director is Geoffrey Brabham, technical direction is by Jesse Purkerson and stage manager is Steven Beatty.
Tickets are $21 regular admission, $18 senior, and $6 for students. The Performing Arts Box Office is located in the SOU Music Recital Hall lobby. Box office hours are noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and two hours prior to each performance. Tickets can be purchased with a credit card over the phone by calling 541-552-6348 or online at sou.edu/performingarts.
About Southern Oregon University
Southern Oregon University provides outstanding student experiences, valued degrees, and successful graduates. SOU is known for excellence in faculty, intellectual creativity and rigor, quality and innovation in connected learning programs, and the educational benefits of its unique geographic location. SOU was the first university in Oregon—and one of the first in the nation—to offset 100 percent of its energy use with clean, renewable power, and it is the first university in the nation to balance 100 percent of its water consumption. Visit sou.edu.
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SOU Campus Theme on Revolution: Creative Arts and Power in the 21st Century

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(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University’s Campus Theme series on Revolution continues this week with a panel discussion exploring the relationship between the creative arts and power. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Miles Inada, Professor of Art and Emerging Media at SOU, who will be joined by other SOU faculty in the creative arts. The event will be held Wednesday, February 4, at 7 p.m. in the Meese Auditorium inside the Art Building on the SOU campus.
Rapidly changing forces of finance and technology are revolutionizing the way in which people across the globe understand and interact with each other and the world. The panel will address questions on how these changes impact the role and work of contemporary creative artists and how their work is made, seen, and understood by the public.
The SOU Campus Theme Series promotes intellectually stimulating and healthy conversations on a different theme each year, creating opportunities for the campus and community to engage in discussions across disciplines on a topic important to us all. The series will continue with additional lectures and panel discussions throughout the year. All campus theme events are free and open to the public.
Panelists joining Dr. Inada for Thursday’s presenation include: David Bithell, Professor, Art & Emerging Media; Melissa Geppert, Assistant Professor, Art & Art History; Robert Arellano, Professor, Creative Writing & Emerging Media
For more information, visit the campus theme website at www.sou.edu/humanities, where you can also find information on other campus theme events this term, or call Prakash Chenjeri (541 552-6034) or Daniel Morris (541 552-6740).
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About Southern Oregon University
Southern Oregon University provides outstanding student experiences, valued degrees, and successful graduates. SOU is known for excellence in faculty, intellectual creativity and rigor, quality and innovation in connected learning programs, and the educational benefits of its unique geographic location. SOU was the first university in Oregon—and one of the first in the nation—to offset 100 percent of its energy use with clean, renewable power, and it is the first university in the nation to balance 100% of its water consumption. Visit sou.edu.

SOU Board Elects Leadership

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(Ashland, Ore.) —The Southern Oregon University Board of Trustees elected leadership positions during its meeting Friday, Jan. 30, naming Trustees Bill Thorndike and April Sevcik Chair and Vice Chair, respectively.
Both were elected by unanimous vote.
Chair Thorndike is a 1972 graduate of Medford Senior High, and graduated in 1976 from Lewis & Clark College with a BS in Business Administration. His honors include the SOLV/Tom McCall Leadership Award and the Glenn Jackson Leadership Award from Willamette University. A third-generation Rogue Valley resident, he resides in rural Jackson County with his wife Angela Littlefield, an equestrian judge.
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“This is a tremendously exciting time for SOU to be moving forward in its mission,” Thorndike said. “I look forward to participating in this new local governance of the University.”
Vice Chair Sevcik earned a Bachelor of Science from SOU in 1969. She has also completed extensive post-graduate work in training, sales, human resources, accounting and board development. Her honors include being named the Medford Chamber of Commerce’s First Citizen and being a recipient of the Southern Oregon University President’s Medal.
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In addition to electing leadership, the Board also adopted a series of organizational documents, including bylaws, conduct, delegation of authority, committees, and Board performance and responsibilities.
The Board created three standing committees: Executive and Audit, Finance and Administration, and Academic and Student Affairs. Trustee Paul Nicholson was appointed chair of the Finance and Administration Committee and Trustee Teresa Sayre was appointed chair of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee. Chair Thorndike will also serve as chair of the Executive and Audit Committee.
Trustee Nicholson is Executive Director Emeritus of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, where he served as Executive Director from 1995 – 2012. Trustee Sayre is currently Superintendent of the Phoenix-Talent School District.
The Board will officially take over governance of SOU on July 1 of this year, but has been empowered by Governor John Kitzhaber to take the organizational steps necessary in order to begin governing effectively on that date.
“Today marks a milestone for Southern Oregon University,” said SOU President Roy Saigo. “We are very pleased to have such a dedicated and supportive group of citizens helping to chart the future of the University.”
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About Southern Oregon University
Southern Oregon University provides outstanding student experiences, valued degrees, and successful graduates. SOU is known for excellence in faculty, intellectual creativity and rigor, quality and innovation in connected learning programs, and the educational benefits of its unique geographic location. SOU was the first university in Oregon—and one of the first in the nation—to offset 100 percent of its energy use with clean, renewable power, and it is the first university in the nation to balance 100% of its water consumption. Visit sou.edu.