USAO Theatre Arts Department presents “The Underpants” as spring 2024 production
The University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma Theatre Arts Department will present “The Underpants” by Steve Martin, adapted by Carl Sternheim, March 8, 9, and 15 at 7:30 p.m. and March 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the Davis Hall Little Theater. Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door.
This quick-witted comedy by comedian and actor Steve Martin was adapted in 2001 from the 1910 German farce “Die Hose” by Carl Sternheim. The story follows a young, married middle-class woman who lives in Germany with her uninspiring husband. Louise, the unhappy housewife, suffers an unfortunate public humiliation, and the results are hilarious! The bawdy humor and crude jokes make this play most appropriate for teens and adults.
USAO’s students and faculty have put their own unique look on this classic comedy. Featuring a set designed to resemble a doll house and costumes that will give characters the appearance of paper dolls, the production design has involved students mentored by assistant professor of technical theatre, Jeff Taylor. The themes of this satire will inspire students and audience members to look at what’s “beneath the surface” motivating people and our society.
“We haven’t produced a comedy since fall 2021. Everyone is ready to hear the audience laugh,” said Katie Davis, professor of theatre arts. “This show is a farce, which is a difficult, precise, exaggerated style. We have all learned so much and I’m proud of the entire cast and crew.”
Students have worked diligently on this production both on and off the stage. The theatre department’s curriculum for this semester has included courses in modern European drama, creative technology and costume design, making the connection between the classroom and the skills used in production. This production features performances by psychology and art majors in addition to theatre majors. The stage manager for this production is Alyson Jones, a freshman theatre major from Putnam City North High School.
“My experience as a stage manager for “The Underpants” has been unique and different,” said Jones. “One of the main things I've learned this semester is to rely on my team members more. Moving from a high school to a collegiate level theatre program has allowed me to work with others who value the work they put into the production, and this has allowed me to rely on my team, allowing me to discover new aspects of stage management, and have more fun while doing something I truly love to do.”
The USAO theatre arts program holds productions each fall and spring which support the university's interdisciplinary mission. Students from all majors work in a broad range of theatrical styles, develop acting skills in extended rehearsals, and practice behind-the-scenes roles ranging from costuming and stagecraft to arts management. With its focus on applied theatre, this program graduates students with a thorough grasp of creative and communication skills required to stage a successful theatre production and the versatility to use this experience in a variety of career paths.
For more information, visit usao.edu/theatre.
About the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma
As Oklahoma’s liberal arts college, the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma provides a distinctive education in the liberal arts and sciences, supporting both its interdisciplinary core curriculum and major fields of study with superior teaching. USAO fosters diversity of thought and practice to help students realize meaningful, purposeful and productive lives as global citizens in a rapidly changing world.