Drama Professor Premiers Original Play

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Robert Ford and Amy Herzberg

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Spiritualist, an original play by visiting assistant professor Robert Ford, premiers as the opening production for TheatreSquared's eighth season. This comic drama is based on the true story of Rosemary Dunn, an English widow and self-described spiritualist who claimed to channel the spirits of dead composers.

"What a thrill and a privilege to bring this brand new work to the stage here in Northwest Arkansas," said Ford. "It's packed with music, intrigue, strange phenomena and the power of a compelling story to make believers of us all. I'm proud to see its world premiere right here at TheatreSquared."

In addition to his credits as a playwright, Ford also serves as artistic director for TheatreSquared and director of playwriting for the department of drama in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.

Inspired by news accounts of the 1970s-era medium who found fame completing the unfinished symphonies of Beethoven, Liszt and others, the play has been presented at workshops throughout the nation. Ford and Amy Herzberg, professor of drama and TheatreSquared's artistic director, have given readings in Los Angeles and the New Harmony Project in Indiana. Many regional theatres have expressed interest in staging the play.

TheatreSquared partnered with Fulbright College last year to serve as a learning laboratory and professional training outlet for the University of Arkansas department of drama. The partnership is evident in The Spiritualist, which features many of the university's students, faculty and alumni in acting roles as well as behind the scenes.

In addition to faculty members Ford (playwright/artistic director) and Herzberg (Rosemary Dunn), professor Patricia Martin (costume designer) and assistant professor Shawn Irish (scenic and lighting designer) are also involved. Current and former students include John T. Smith (Beethoven/BBC Host), Kristopher M. Stoker (Peter Clifton/BBC Guest), Emily Bohannan (stage manager), Will Eubanks (sound designer/assistant technical director), Genevieve Headrick (props designer), Melissa Haar (assistant stage manager) and Josh Tillotson (technical director).

The show will run from Aug. 30 to Sept. 15 (with a preview on Aug. 29) in the Studio Theatre at Walton Arts Center's Nadine Baum Studios at 505 W. Spring Street in Fayetteville. The Spiritualist may be seen Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and is recommended for ages 13 and older. Ticketing information may be found at http://theatre2.org/the-spiritualist.