“Africa A to Z,” written by Ruth Cantrell, head of the NMSU theater department, and Monika Mojica, a theater major, is a collaboration of African folktales that teach lessons about issues of sharing, getting along and problem solving. Although the tales originate from several regions in Africa, they flow together through original percussion composed and performed by NMSU percussion instructor Fred Bugbee.
“The possibility of telling and enhancing a story through sound is completely intriguing,” director Michael Wise said. “The percussion element drastically augments the mood of the play.”
Although the percussion is led by Bugbee, it is performed by all cast members.
“The actors in the ensemble have a difficult task because they must be actors, musicians and dancers,” Wise said.
Cast members include Mojica, Adrienne Cox, Laura Drangmeister, Sunny Sampson and Jesus Villaneuva. Each actor plays multiple roles which include characters such as an elephant, python, African fairy, spider, giraffe, crocodile, antelope, zebra and hippo. The characters are defined by masks, head pieces and sometimes solely by the movement from the actors.
“It was extremely powerful to see what I had in my head come to life on stage,” Mojica said. “I know audiences will fall in love with the mystical beauty of the African savannah.”
The savannah was created by resident designer Jim Billings and the lighting by NMSU student Sal Ponce. The mask and costume designs are by NMSU theater major Crystal Herman and properties by technical director David Hereford.
“Africa A to Z” is the 19th annual production of the Theatre for Young Audiences program as part of the NMSU theater department’s commitment to children’s theater. In addition to the public performances, “Africa A to Z” will be performed for local school children and will tour Artesia and Gadsden in January. The tour is sponsored by the McCune Charitable Foundation and John and Laura Coniff.
Tickets for “Africa A to Z” are $5 for adults and $4 for students and children. Public performances will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Hershel Zohn Theatre on the NMSU campus. For more information, call the ASTC box office at (505) 646-4515.
First photo is available at
http://ucommphoto.nmsu.edu/newsphoto/africa_az_01.jpg.
CUTLINE: New Mexico State University students, from left to right,
Jesus Villanueva, Adrienne Cox and Laura Drangmeister, along with Monika
Mojica, theater major and co-author of the play, and Fred Bugbee, NMSU
percussion instructor, play the beats for the world premiere of “Africa
A to Z,” to be presented Oct. 24-25 at the university. (NMSU photo by Darren
Phillips)
Second photo is available at
http://ucommphoto.nmsu.edu/newsphoto/africa_az_02.jpg.
CUTLINE: Percussion sets the mood as Jesus Villanueva, front
from left, Fred Bugbee, Monika Mojica, back from left, Adrienne Cox and
Laura Drangmeister practice for the world premiere of “Africa A to Z,”
to be presented Oct. 24-25 at New Mexico State University. (NMSU photo
by Darren Phillips)
Jennifer Kistler
Oct. 21, 2003
Go back to NMSU News Releases
Go back to University Communications Homepage.
