News » Tent Theatre becomes region's first equity company

Tent Theatre becomes region's first equity company

New season features poetry, peanuts and porter

Date: May 16, 2008
Contact: Mark Templeton
(417) 836-4644

SPRINGFIELD - The department of theatre and dance at Missouri State University has signed a contract with Actor's Equity for this summer's Tent Theatre productions, making Tent Theatre the first equity company in southwest Missouri. The contract gives students greater professional opportunities and allows more professional actors to be in Tent Theatre productions.

"The contract will enable our acting students to earn EMC (Equity Membership Candidacy) points toward their Actor's Equity membership," said Mark Biggs, head of the theatre and dance department. "This will help them move up the audition chain when they graduate, as all professional companies by contract must audition equity actors first, then those who have EMC points and finally all others."

Actor's Equity is a prominent labor union representing more than 45,000 actors and stage managers. Biggs said that the agreement will allow six equity actors and one equity stage manager to participate in this summer's productions.

Tent Theatre enters its 46th season this summer, with performances of "Cyrano de Bergerac" June 11-21, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" June 25-July 3 and "Anything Goes" July 9-20. All performances are Mondays through Saturdays.

Tickets are $14 and $22 for adults; and $12 and $20 for seniors, students and children. Season tickets are $34 and $60 for adults; and $29 and $55 for seniors, students and children. Special group prices are also available. Patrons may order a picnic supper 24 hours prior to each show at $9 each. Starting May 19, to order tickets and/or picnic suppers, call the Missouri State box office at (417) 836-7678 or toll free at 1-888-476-7849. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.missouristatetix.com.

All shows start at 8:15 p.m. Picnic suppers will be served at 7 p.m. Patrons are encouraged to park on the east side of lot 24, on the corner of Grand Street and National Avenue. Parking is free and no permit is required. Due to campus construction, patrons should follow the winding sidewalk to the corner of Grand Street and National Avenue, which will then lead to a direct path to the tent.