Rebecca Smith in Emerson Stage Production of Cloud Nine at Emerson College

2011 Oct 20

Bethlehem's Rebecca Smith, a senior BA Theatre Studies student at Emerson College, has earned the role of Dramaturg in Emerson Stage's first production of the season, Cloud Nine. Smith will join 35 fellow Emerson students in this production, a landmark play by acclaimed British dramatist Caryl Churchill. Performances take place October 20–23, 2011 at the Semel Theater (10 Boylston Place, Third Floor, Boston).

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of its American premiere this year, Cloud Nine challenges traditional views of gender, sexuality, and race by exploring ideas such as the feminist perspective, the abuse of power and privilege, and sexual politics, issues still debated in contemporary society. Through a comedic satirical lens, Churchill sets the first act in a British colony of Africa during Victorian times and the second act 100 years later in 1979 London, though only 25 years pass for the characters.

Cloud Nine is directed by Performing Arts Professor Maureen Shea.

Single tickets, which start at $10, and Ticket Bundles for four Emerson Stage performances are available now and can be purchased at the Paramount Center Box Office, 559 Washington St., Boston or the Cutler Majestic Box Office, 219 Tremont St., Boston, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets can also be purchases online at www.aestages.org or by calling 617-824-8000.

About Emerson Stage

Emerson Stage is the producing organization of the Department of Performing Arts at Emerson College. Its mission is to enhance the cultural life of Emerson College and the larger local community through the presentation of meaningful, diverse, and multicultural programming that upholds high artistic standards and a commitment to open-minded cultural exchange. Emerson Stage pairs Performing Arts students with top theater professionals, onstage and off, to bring theatrical events to life. The organization produces eight shows per year. Join us at www.emerson.edu/emersonstage, www.facebook.com/emersonstage, or www.twitter.com/emstage.

About Emerson College

Located in Boston, Massachusetts, opposite historic Boston Common and in the heart of the city's Theatre District, Emerson is the only private four-year college in the United States devoted to teaching communication and the arts in a liberal arts context. The College has 3,453 undergraduates and 837 graduate students from across the United States and 50 countries. Supported by state-of-the-art facilities and a renowned faculty, students participate in more than 60 student organizations and performance groups, 14 NCAA teams, student publications, honor societies, television stations including the Emerson Channel, and WERS-FM, the nation's highest rated student-run radio station. The College's arts organization, ArtsEmerson, brings professional performing arts experiences to Boston, making them available to the public and enabling the College's students and faculty to work side-by-side with distinguished artists from around the world. Emerson is internationally known for its study and internship programs in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., the Netherlands, China, and the Czech Republic. For more information, visit www.emerson.edu.