THE WILD DUCK SYMPOSIUM
NOV 2, 10am–12pm
The Forum at Harman Hall
Maaike Laanstra-Corn, David Patrick Kelly, Nick Westrate, Melanie Field, and Alexander Hurt for The Wild Duck at Theatre for a New Audience. Photo by Gerry Goodstein. .
The Wild Duck, one of Henrik Ibsen‘s most rarely produced plays, is also a foundational text in the making of modern drama. It moves away from a realistic exploration of social issues to the investigation of what Ibsen called the “life-lie.” Can human beings, in their pursuit of the truth, live with what they uncover? What illusions are necessary for living in the world? And what is the nature of reality?
Join us for a symposium to discuss the issues represented in The Wild Duck and Ibsen’s plays with prominent theatre artists and historians.
Panel One: The Wild Duck in Context
This panel will discuss the relationship between The Wild Duck and plays that came before (An Enemy of the People, Ghosts, A Doll’s House) and after (Hedda Gabler).
Panelists:
Hayley Finn, Artistic Director, Theater J
Rick Davis, Dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts, George Mason University
Elizabeth Dinkova, Artistic Director, Spooky Action
Moderator:
Drew Lichtenberg, STC Artistic Producer & Resident Dramaturg
Panel Two: The Making of The Wild Duck
This panel will discuss the development of Simon Godwin‘s new production of The Wild Duck, featuring guest artists from the cast and creative team.
Panelists:
Melanie Field, Actor, STC’s The Wild Duck & Uncle Vanya
Nick Westrate, Actor, STC’s The Wild Duck & Frankenstein
Moderator:
Drew Lichtenberg, STC Artistic Producer & Resident Dramaturg
Additional panelists to be announced.