Cunneen Hackett Arts Center, 16-25 October 2015
COCOON THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCESPOUGHKEEPSIE BECKETT FESTIVAL
CUNNEEN HACKETT ARTS CENTER
12 VASSAR STREET, POUGHKEEPSIE
OCTOBER 16-25 2015
Cocoon Theatre, the resident professional theatre company at Cunneen Hackett Arts Center, moved there from Rhinebeck to be closer to the diverse community of Poughkeepsie. With a mission to engage and serve the underserved of all ages through the performing arts, Cocoon has developed a compelling festival of programs to promote cultural literacy, connections and conversation.
MAINSTAGE PRODUCTION
‘HAPPY DAYS’by Samuel Beckett
A drama in two acts, first produced in 1961 in New York
Starring Marguérite San Millán and Doug Woolley
Winnie, buried to her waist, follows her daily routine and prattles to her husband, Willie, who is largely hidden and taciturn. Her frequent refrain is “Oh this is a happy day.” Later, in Act II she is buried up to her neck, but continues to talk and remember happier days.
Director’s note The first time that I saw happy Days I thought Winnie chose to deceive herself.
How could she not see what was so palpably entrapping her?
Why would she make no effort to get out of her situation?
She chose rather to complain, play with her few possessions, and engage in endless conversations mostly with herself. If she is an illustration of our common human condition, then what are the mounds we are individually and collectively sinking into?
Fear, Callousness, Poverty, Ignorance?
Andrés San Millán
6 Public Performances: OCT 16-25 FRI & SAT 8 PM, SUN 3 PM
TKTS: $25
845-452-7870
www.cocoontheatre.org
SUNDAY SYMPOSIUMS (4:30 pm) FOLLOWING 3 PM MATINEES
Free and open to the public!
OCT 18 “Why Beckett? Why Now?”
Beckett’s work (Waiting for Godot, Endgame) is often, unfairly described as “difficult” or “inaccessible” or “depressing”. In fact, Beckett’s work speaks clearly and humorously to the human condition and is enjoying a revival in these days of social media, Twitter and snapchat.
Featuring:
- Dr. David Tucker, Oxford and Chester Universities, international expert on Staging Beckett
- Shona Tucker, MFA, Vassar College
- Dr. Miriam Felton-Dansky, Bard College
- Dr. Tommy Costello, Dutchess Community College
- Andrés San Millán, Marguerite San Millán, Doug Woolley
Featuring local high school and college students who have chosen an arts pathway. At this time when education seems to favor Science, Technology and Engineering, many pundits believe that we short-change the arts at our peril. A panel of students will address the challenges and joys of making the arts their primary focus and passport to success.
STUDENT MATINEEand TALK BACK
OCT 21, WED, 10 AM TKTS: $10
ART EXHIBIT ‘TRAPPED’
Featuring the work of local artists and student artists from Mill Street Loft and elsewhere, based on the theme of being trapped, shut in, constrained.
Cunneen Hackett Gallery.
Opening Reception Fri. Oct. 9 at 6 pm. Free.
Runs thru Oct. 25.
Information:
Andrés San Millán
845 452-7870
845 663-6273
andres@figureartscape.com Cocoon Theatre Creative Director www.cocoontheatre.org
