UW-Green Bay Theatre Explores Life’s Awkward Pauses in ‘Circle Mirror Transformation’

Circle Mirror Transformation
Left to right) Mickey Schommer, McKenzie Thompson, Jasmine Christyne watch as Paul Kobylorz tries out a hula hoop in a scene from UW-Green Bay Theatre's production of Circle Mirror Transformation

GREEN BAY – The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Theatre & Dance program will present Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker February 25, 26 and March 3 – 5, 2022 at University Theatre located in Theatre Hall, on the Green Bay Campus. In 2009, Circle Mirror Transformation received an Obie award for Best New American Play and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play.

Circle Mirror Transformation invites the audience into Marty’s six-week-long community-center drama class and the lives of four lost New Englanders enrolled in the class. When they begin to experiment with harmless games, hearts are quietly torn apart, and tiny wars of epic proportions are waged and won. Circle Mirror Transformation is a beautifully crafted diorama in which we see, with hilarious detail and clarity, the antic sadness of a motley quintet. Director Rebecca Stone Thornberry describes Circle Mirror Transformation as: “a play about the ways we connect to one another and find our common humanity. It’s a funny show that will appeal to anyone who has ever wondered who they are, felt lonely or adrift, or searched for meaning in their own lives.”

Circle Mirror Transformation rehearsal

Left to right: Jasmine Christyne, Mickey Schommer and Paul Kobylorz rehearse a scene from Annie Baker’s Circle Mirror Transformation.

Playing the role of Marty, the free-spirited yet supportive leader of the group is Jasmine Christyne from Houston, TX. Christyne shares the stage with Mickey Schommer from Green Bay, Wis. who plays Teresa, a vibrant actress, home from the big city. McKenzie Thompson from Lakeview, MN takes on the role of Lauren, a self-conscious teenager who just wants to do some real acting. The role of James is played by Paul Kobylorz from Elk Lake, Wis. James is Marty’s quiet, yet friendly husband and a student in Marty’s class which leads to some uncomfortable moments for both of them. Rounding out the cast is Theodore Hock from Hobart, Wis. in the role of Schultz, a recently divorced and emotionally vulnerable carpenter. Together this cast takes the audience on a journey from the mundane to the profound.

In accordance with University policy, all audience members attending will be required to wear a mask or face covering during the performance and at all times while inside the building, UW-Green Bay Theatre has developed production guidelines consistent with professional practices that allows their actors to be unmasked during performances while onstage. In addition to masking, socially distanced seating will be available and may be requested when ordering tickets.

Tickets for Circle Mirror Transformation are $22 in advance for adults and $25 at the door. Seniors and students can purchase tickets for $17 in advance or $20 at the door. UW-Green Bay students are $12. Tickets can be purchased at University Ticketing Services located in the UW-Green Bay University Union. Tickets can also be purchased over the phone by calling (920) 465-2400 or online at www.ticketstaronline.com. Performances begin at 7:30 each evening, February 25-26, and March 3-5, 2022. Patrons who wish to purchase tickets in the socially distanced section can only do so through University Ticketing. Tickets for this section are not available online. Additional information about the production and ticket reservation information can be found at www.uwgb.edu/theatre.

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