Puppets – Masks – Trapeze — Original Music

The Sun, played by Julianne Pictou (South Lancaster Academy, Lancaster, MA 2008) extends her hand to Inook, played by Sage Landry (Lincoln Academy 2009) in his quest to put the seasons right.

The University of Southern Maine Department of Theatre
presents the epic story ofan Inuit boy
who must brave the frozen ends of the Earth
to save his people from endless winter in

INOOK AND THE SUN

by Henry Beissel, April 23 – May 2, 2010
Directed by Dr. Assunta Kent.

WHEN: April 23, 24, 29, 30 & May 1 at 7:30 p.m.; April 25 & May 2 at 2 p.m.

WHERE: Russell Hall on the University of Southern Maine's Gorham Campus

TICKETS: $14 for the general public; $10 for seniors and USM staff; $7 for students

SPECIAL: "$5 @ Five" show will be held on April 28 at 5 p.m., all tickets just $5

BOX OFFICE: (207) 780-5151 Reservation recommended

Inook and the Sun, based on Inuit folk tales, follows a boy’s epic quest to bring the sun back and save his people from starvation in an endless winter.

“It looks like winter will last forever. People are starving. It’s too cold. The Moon is in charge and he’s cold, distant and mocking,” says Director Dr. Assunta Kent. “This boy, Inook, must make a journey to the frozen ends of the Earth, under the sea, and into an ice berg to try and bring back the Sun — who is trapped there — and put the seasons right again.”

Costume designer Kris Hall, using Facebook, has organized a small army of USM student designers to help come up with the fantastical creatures that help, and sometimes hinder, Inook on his journey. Costume creations include full-body musk ox, shark and polar bear puppets, as well as an angry sea godess made from beach detritus.

“We have a sea monster that takes eight people to run and that fills the entire stage,” says Dr. Kent. “It takes three big guys to perform the polar bear.”

Collaboration has been ongoing since January between Dr. Kent, costume designer Kris Hall and her students. It’s the first time either of them have employed the Internet in a collaborative design process.

“Facebook is a great tool for collaboration among student designers,” says Hall. “They can immediately share their ideas and sketches — even videos — and get instant feedback from myself and the director. Plus they already check the site religiously.”

The Angry Godess of the sea, Sedna, played by Desiray Roy (Stonington High School, 2006) orders mischievous seals, played by Katelyn Smith, left, (Sanford High School, 2005) and Laura Collard (Freeport High School, 2008) to stop hindering Inook, played by Sage Landry (Lincoln Academy, 2009) on his quest to return the Sun.