Amber Jurgensen
Student Representative, Southern Region, 2015-2016
Rho Gamma Chapter
Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA
This fall, the student leaders had the chance to attend a production of To Kill a Mockingbird at the Wurtele Thrust Stage of the Guthrie Theater, an important cultural and historical landmark of the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. The play, adapted from the much-beloved book by Harper Lee, remained true to its source material with only a few slight alterations. The actors brilliantly performed their roles on a visually stunning set that was incredibly detailed and well-designed to incorporate integral aspects of Maycomb, AL. Based on this incredible performance, a visit to the Guthrie is highly recommended during your stay in Minneapolis for the Sigma Tau Delta 2016 International Convention.
The Guthrie, named for Sir Tyrone Guthrie, opened its doors in 1963. Since then, it has been the staging ground for numerous Shakespeare plays as well as such familiar titles as She Stoops to Conquer, A Streetcar Named Desire, and The Great Gatsby. The theater moved to the west bank of the Mississippi River in 2006, providing its audience with a breathtaking view as they wait for productions to begin. Its proscenium stage, studio theater, and thrust stage allow for a wide variety of theatrical ventures to be produced and displayed to the public. The esteemed theater celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2013, and remains a vital part of the cultural atmosphere in Minneapolis.
To Kill a Mockingbird heralded the start of the 2015-2016 season at the Guthrie, running from September 12 to October 18. Set in 1950s Alabama, the story follows a young girl nicknamed Scout as she observes her father’s efforts to defend an African American man named Tom Robinson against a white woman who has wrongfully accused him of assault. The play’s themes of justice and injustice, juxtaposed with the point of view of a child, her brother, and her friend, accurately mirror Harper Lee’s story, which generations of readers have cherished. The casting was impeccable, the accents authentic, and several scenes left me with goosebumps. I exited the theater with the sense that justice had been done to a tale I knew well, and the play was a source of discussion throughout the night and well into the next morning.
During the 2016 International Convention, “The Critic” and “The Real Inspector Hound” will be produced on the McGuire Proscenium Stage, and You for Me for You will be shown in the Dowling Studio. In addition, backstage tours will be available, and one may dine at the Sea Change Restaurant and Bar. Don’t miss out on your chance to visit this world-renowned theater!
Have you been to the Guthrie before? Tell us about your experience in the comments!
Guthrie Theatre Discount
The Guthrie has made available to us a discount code for the 7:30 p.m. production of “The Critic” and “The Real Inspector Hound” on Friday, March 4. The code is only valid for this show and is only to be used by Sigma Tau Delta. Convention attendees, please check your email for the discount code.
[…] Read More […]