The Sparrow
by University of Texas Theatre & Dance

Nov. 20 - Nov. 23, 2013
Wednesday-Saturday

Ten years ago Emily Book, the lone survivor of a horrible school bus accident, was sent away from the tiny town of Spring Farm. Now in her senior year, Emily must return in order to graduate from high school. When she arrives, Emily is unwillingly thrust into the whirlwind of Spring Farm High. Guided by her biology teacher, Mr. Christopher, and befriended by head cheerleader Jenny McGrath, Emily must learn to fit in with her classmates while yearning to stay out of the spotlight. But when Jenny’s life is threatened, Emily reveals her true powers. Thus, Spring Farm’s own darling superhero, “The Sparrow” is born. Can this strange girl with even stranger powers be the hero that her town is longing for, or will her dark secret destroy them all?

Director Quetta Carpenter shares, “The Sparrow plays like a Greek tragedy within a Spielberg film. Its language is very cinematic - it moves like a film, and it deals in imagery and metaphor, like all the great hero myths of the world.

The story begins in the emotional deep-freeze of Spring Farm, Illinois. Since losing its entire second grade class ten years ago, the town has been figuratively holding its breath. The return of Emily Book puts into motion events that will change everything, as Emily and the town are offered an opportunity to face the horror of the past and create an uncertain future.

I see Emily’s journey as an allegory for growing up. What happens when we make a mistake that we can’t take back? How do we live with it? A central theme in the play is weight - the weight we carry, and the weight we refuse to carry. I am reminded of Coleridge’s albatross, the trials of Odysseus, and Luke Skywalker’s choice. Emily is on an epic journey, and so is the town of Spring Farm, both individually and collectively.”

The play is approximately 90 minutes. The Sparrow includes some violence and suggested sexual situations. It is appropriate for high school age and up.

Direction/Production Concept/Movement Design: Quetta Carpenter+
Original Music: Jeremy Lee Cudd+ and Ben Fest+
Assistant Direction: Katie Folger*
Choreography: Natasha Davison+
Dance Captain/Cheer Choreography: Felicia Fitzpatrick*
Additional Cheer Choreography: Carson Campbell*
Dramaturgy: Madilynn Garcia*
Lighting Design: Moses Park*
Run Crew Supervisor: Sarah Cantu*
* UT student
+ UT Faculty/Staff

Cast: Mitch Allison, Hugo Ayala, Carson Campbell, Rachel Crowell, Jenny De La Fuente, Felicia Fitzpatrick, Katie Folger, Briana Garcia, Jonathan Gentsch, Dominique Gonzalez, Tasha Gorel, Jessica Helton, Megan Lyles, Lindsey Miller, Kevin Poole, Rocket Thrall, Arnold Trevino, Jr., Katy Wicker

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The Sparrow
by Chris Mathews, Jake Minton and Nathan Allen
University of Texas Theatre & Dance

November 20, 21, 22, 23, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.
November 23 at 2:00 p.m.

Winship Room 2.180, University of Texas, Austin

Admission is free. Seating is limited.
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