Nazareth College Theatre Dept. production of "Quilters" includes a fundraiser for Bethany House of Rochester

ROCHESTER, NY (01/23/2014)(readMedia)-- The Nazareth College Department of Theatre Arts and Theatre League will present Quilters, the third production of their 2013–2014 season. The popular musical about a pioneer life will run February 14, 15, 21, and 22 at 8 p.m.; and February 16 and 23 at 2 p.m., in Studio A48 at Nazareth College Arts Center. Audience members will also have the opportunity to bid on handmade quilts – including one stitched by the company – during a silent auction to benefit Bethany House of Rochester.

RELATED STORY: The Nazareth College Department of Theatre Arts has designated its 2013-2104 season a Green Season. Throughout the year, faculty and student designers and crews will use recycled and reclaimed materials as they produce sets for their four productions, which include Urinetown the Musical, An Evening of David Ives, Quilters, and The Cherry Orchard.

About the Production

Written by Molly Newman and Barbara Damashek, with lyrics by Damashek, Quilters tells the story of a pioneer woman and her six daughters. Based on Patricia Cooper and Norma Bradley Allen's book, The Quilters: Women and Domestic Art, the production enjoyed a brief Broadway run in 1984 and was nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Thirty years later, the production's popularity is largely due to its broad appeal; the show is enjoyed by American history buffs, lovers of folk music, quilters, women, storytellers, and theatregoers alike.

Rather than tell its story from start to finish, Quilters weaves a series of scenes and musical numbers depicting childhood, marriage, fires, illness, death, and more – each represented on stage by actual quilt squares – into a dramatic tableaux about the challenges and rewards of frontier life. During each performance, more than 15 beautiful quilts will be displayed on stage.

Quilters is directed by Nazareth College Department of Theatre Arts professor Lindsay Reading Korth, who finds the play's stories of strength and resilience compelling, particularly among women.

"This is such an American piece," she explains. "I spent seven years when I was first a mother and in graduate school in Nebraska – on the prairie. It is a lonely, open countryside and, being from the East, it frightened me. In living through that initial fear I found a kind of grounding there that provided the backbone so obvious in farm wives even today. Quilters preserves the stories of women's lives that are not written about in history books, but are apparent in the quilts they sewed and passed down through their daughters."

The stories also touched the student cast and crew, who incorporated a fundraiser into the production to assist Rochesterians who are struggling this winter. Throughout the run of Quilters, audience members and the public will have the opportunity to bid on handmade quilts – including one stitched by company members in preparation for their roles – during a silent auction to benefit Bethany House of Rochester, which provides shelter for homeless women and children. Bids may be submitted at each performance, as well as by phone or e-mail to the Nazareth College Department of Theatre Arts: 585-389-2603 or mkahl8@naz.edu.

The cast for Quilters consists of Nazareth College students: Taylor Carlson (Sarah), Ashley Squiars (Jenny), Morgan Naum (Margaret), Katie Sweeney (Lisa), Amanda Popielarz (Jody), Lainey Catalino (Jane), and Tess DeFlyer (Dana).

The production and design teams for Quilters consist of Nazareth College students: Liz Gilley (costumes), Bridget Blakley (stage manager), and Allie Tabor (assistant stage manager).

Tickets

Tickets to Quilters are $18-$20. For tickets, call – or visit – the Box Office: 585-389-2170 or order online: artscenter.naz.edu.

The Nazareth College Arts Center Box Office is located on campus, at 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14618. Regular box office hours are Monday- Friday, 11am – 5pm, and for one hour prior to curtain time for Theatre Arts Department performances.

About the Nazareth College Department of Theatre Arts

The Department of Theatre Arts teaches theatre in a liberal arts context developing a student's skills in critical thinking, analysis, reasoning, and communication. The program hones students' talents and prepares them for a life in the arts. The Department of Theatre Arts' play season has often been listed among the top 10 nationally by The Princeton Review. This year features productions including Urinetown The Musical, An Evening of David Ives, Quilters, and The Cherry Orchard. Like every year, all the roles, scenery, costumes, and lighting will be designed and built by department faculty and students. For more information, visit www.naz.edu/theatre-arts.

"Like" the Nazareth College Arts Center and The Nazareth College Department of Theatre Arts on Facebook for more information about tickets and for upcoming events.

About Nazareth College

Nazareth is a coeducational, independent college on a suburban campus just outside Rochester, N.Y. The College challenges students to rise to their potential with a liberal arts and sciences foundation, professional programs, experiential learning, and an innovative curriculum that addresses the current and emerging needs of the world - ranging from economics to physical therapy to environmental science. With more than 40 undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs, a vibrant arts center and a variety of athletics, clubs and organizations, Nazareth prepares students to be successful professionals and engaged citizens. For more information, visit www.naz.edu.

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