“My Soldiers,” the new play recently presented by the theatre department at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, has been chosen to be part of the Regional American College Theatre Festival at Michigan State University in January 2011.
Written by Richard Kalinoski and directed by Merlaine Angwall, the UW Oshkosh production of “My Soldiers” was chosen in a competitive judging process to be among a handful of featured productions at the Festival, located in East Lansing, Mich. The event is sponsored by The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
The main character in the play, Angi Busko, attempts to re-integrate into small town, northern Minnesota life upon her return from service. Haunted and assaulted by painful memories, Busko struggles to find equilibrium. Her parents and friends are unable to help her. Finally, she is nudged toward recovery and a costly redemption by a patient and demanding therapist at a hospital of the Veterans Administration.
“My Soldiers” was created by Kalinoski after he conducted a series of interviews with returning veterans of the War in Iraq. One of the female soldiers, interviewed by the playwright, served as a medic in the war and became the inspiration for the play. “My Soldiers” was first read publicly at UW Oshkosh in spring 2009.
The complex production aspects of the play were designed by Roy Hoglund, set; Mick Alderson, lighting; Kathleen Donnelly, costumes; and Thomas Kottke, sound.
In the long history of theatre at UW Oshkosh, no production has ever been invited to perform at the Regional Festival until now. The cast of 12 students and faculty and a production crew of eight will move to a 600-seat theatre at Michigan State University for special performances Jan. 7 and 8.
For more information, contact Roy Hoglund, chair of the theatre department at UW Oshkosh, at (920) 424-7042.
Roy Hoglund, theatre, submitted this announcement. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to contribute calendar items, campus announcements and other good news to UW Oshkosh Today.