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The Frankenstein Project

Friday, November 15, 2019 - 7:30pm to Sunday, November 24, 2019 - 3:00pm
Mainstage

 

Presented by: Theater Arts Department

Written and directed by Kirsten Brandt
20th anniversary production of the Sledgehammer Theatre event

Haunted by the premature passing of her mother, Ph.D. candidate Mary Frankenstein embarks on a quest to conquer death. Fueled by a relentless ambition, Frankenstein immerses herself in the studies of biotechnology and ancient alchemical riddles to bring forth a “monstrous” creation. This newly abandoned Mary The Creation must learn the harsh realities of living in contemporary society while plagued by the memories of the seven dead women who make up her body. All the while, novelist Mary Shelley floats in and out of her tale as the complexities of her own life rage out of control. This media-rich riff on the Frankenstein legend shines a harsh light on nature vs. nurture and our ethical responsibilities to what we create.

Brandt directed The Thinning Veil, A Dream Play, and Machinal at UC Santa Cruz. She recently directed The Comedy of Errors for Shakespeare Santa Cruz.

Presented by the UC Santa Cruz Theater Arts Department. Originally produced by San Diego’s Sledgehammer Theatre.

More about the Director
Kirsten Brandt is an interdisciplinary artist and educator whose practice embraces inquiries into gender, science, and politics. A theatrical director, playwright, producer, and advocate, her passion lies in igniting the imagination of audiences through visceral storytelling and visual poetry to encourage dialogue and ethical engagement. She specializes in experimental theater, devised work, ensemble created events, Shakespeare performance, musical theatre, and the intersection of live performance and digital media. She served as Artistic Director of the Sledgehammer Theatre (San Diego’s leading alternative theater) and as Associate Artistic Director of San Jose Repertory Theatre. She has directed for The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, Theatreworks, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Marin Theatre Company, San Diego Repertory, City Light Theatre, African-American Shakespeare Company, Santa Cruz Shakespeare, The Jewel Theater, North Coast Repertory, Diversionary Theatre, and Sierra Rep. Her plays and musicals have been produced at Sledgehammer Theater, UC Santa Cruz, Unbound Productions (Wicked Lit), the Old Globe, Southwestern College, and the New York Musical Theatre Festival. Her musical The Snow Queen continues to be performed nationally and internationally. She has also taught and directed at UC Davis, San Jose State University, and American Conservatory Theatre's MFA program.

FrankenCon
In conjunction with the Theater Arts Department production of The Frankenstein Project, this conference of scientists, theorists, and artists will explore the enduring legacy of the world’s first science-fiction horror story. 
• FrankenCon details here.

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Friday-Sunday, November 15–17 & Thursday-Sunday, November 21–24, 2019
Thursday/Friday/Saturday 7:30 PM & Sunday matinees 3 PM

Talk-back after the Friday, November 22 performance.

Tickets in advance here at UCSCtickets.com.
• Day-of-event ticket window opens 1 hour prior to event start time.
• Doors scheduled to open 30 minutes prior to event start time.
• $5 parking permit (cash or credit card accepted via attendant in Arts Lot 126)