Dreamwell Announces Season and is Seeking Directors

Iowa City - Dreamwell Theatre has announced its 2015-16 season. In addition to two classic shows, the self-titled theatre of exploration will present three shows never before performed in our area. Dreamwell is also looking for directors for all of the shows. Previous experience with Dreamwell is not a requirement. Directors should be aware that Dreamwell is an all-volunteer theatre. Copies of all plays will be available at the Iowa City Public Library beginning Friday, May 15. Listed time-frames are tentative. Interested directors should send an e-mail indicating the play(s) they are interested in directing and briefly describe their interest in directing to Chuck Dufano, Artistic Chair at chuck@dreamwell.com. Director interviews will take place in early June.


1984 adapted by Michael Gene Sullivan
(5 men; 1 woman) Fall 2015
Based on the iconic novel by George Orwell, 1984 brings us the story of Winston Smith, a cog in the giant machine state of Oceania. Physically and mentally under the omnipresent eye of Big Brother, Winston has been caught struggling for scraps of love and freedom in a world awash with distrust and violence. With the brutal "help" of four Party Members, Winston is forced to confess his Thoughtcrimes before an unseen inquisitor, and the audience -- which acts as a silent witness to his torture. A ferocious and provocative adaptation of one of the most prescient works of literature of the last century.

Beyond Therapy by Christopher Durang
(4 men; 2 women) Fall 2015
Bruce and Prudence are deeply into therapy. Prudence's macho therapist is urging her to be more assertive while Bruce's wacky female therapist wants him to meet women by placing a personal ad. She does not fully comprehend that Bruce has a male lover who is not pleased by Bruce's desire to date a woman: Prudence. Bruce doesn't know how to handle poor nervous Prudence and Prudence doesn't know what to make of her unpredictable new boyfriend. They do learn to live beyond therapy in this delightful Off Broadway hit that moved successfully to Broadway.

The Great God Pan by Amy Herzog
(3 men; 4 women) Winter 2016
Jamie's life in Brooklyn seems just fine: a beautiful girlfriend, a burgeoning journalism career, and parents who live just far enough away. But when a possible childhood trauma comes to light, lives are thrown into a tailspin. Unsettling and deeply compassionate, The Great God Pan tells the intimate tale of what is lost and won when a hidden truth is suddenly revealed.

Gidion's Knot by Johnna Adams
(0 men; 2 women) Spring 2016
Over the course of a parent/teacher conference, a grieving mother and an emotionally overwhelmed primary school teacher have a fraught conversation about the tragic suicide of the mother's son, Gidion. Gidion may have been bullied severely—or he may have been an abuser. As his story is slowly uncovered, the women try to reconstruct a satisfying explanation for Gidion's act and come to terms with excruciating feelings of culpability.

Cock by Mike Bartlett
(3 men; 1 woman) Spring 2016
John has been in a stable relationship with his boyfriend for a number of years. But when he takes a break, he accidentally falls in love with a woman. Torn between the two, filled with guilt and conflicting emotions, he doesn't know which way to turn. His boyfriend is willing to wait for him to make a decision, but so is his girlfriend. And both are prepared to fight to keep him. As the pressure mounts, a dinner with both parties is arranged, and everyone wants to know. Who is John? What is he? And what will his decision be? A comic discussion of identity and sexuality, the play is specified to be performed with no props or set, so the focus is all on the drama of the situation.