CCM Play Series continues with 'A Dream Play'

The UC College-Conservatory of Music continues its Play Series with August Strindberg’s 1901 A Dream Play (translated by Harry G. Carlson), which runs Thursday, Nov. 3, through Sunday, Nov. 6, in CCM’s Cohen Family Studio Theater. Associate Professor Vincent DeGeorge, CCM's Joseph Weinberger Chair of Acting for the Lyric Stage, directs this production. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office. 

This mind-bending play enraptures audiences, and caries them on a journey to witness the joys, struggles, truths and conundrums of human existence. By setting the play in the honest and observant state of a dream, Strindberg is able to fully dissect the human experience. This combination of jarring space and brutal authenticity is sure to leave a lasting impression on audiences. 

A Dream Play follows the daughter of Indra, the Hindu king of gods, as she comes to earth in a human form named Agnes. In an effort to understand what it is to be human, and as she attempts to prove that love can overcome any obstacle, Agnes interacts with many earthly beings. Each of these characters represents a different human trait, and their role in the plot shows the strengths and faults of each. The plot, however, does not follow a traditional timeline, and instead moves as if in a dream. "Anything can happen," wrote Strindberg, "everything is possible and plausible. Time and space do not exist. Upon an insignificant background of real life events the imagination spins and weaves new patterns: a blend of memories, experiences, pure inventions, absurdities and improvisations."

This enthralling, and at times confounding play served as a vibrant precursor to 20th century Surrealism and Expressionism in dramatic art. While Surrealism supersedes the conflicting states of dreaming and consciousness, and instead explores the purity of the subconscious, Expressionism relies on distorted sets and exaggeration to convey its messages. A Dream Play begins to see elements of both, with scenes in impossible situations and the persistence of an underlying question of reality: “What is truth?”

A Dream Play's run time is 100 minutes with no intermission.

by August Strindberg
Translated by Harry G. Carlson

“A Dream Play (Carlson, trans.)” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

• 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3
• 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4
• 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5*
• 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5*
• 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6

*Please note that traffic and parking around campus will be heavier than normal on Nov. 5 due to a UC Football game. CCM encourages patrons to purchase parking in advance through the Box Office.

Cohen Family Studio Theater, CCM Village
University of Cincinnati

Tickets are $27; student and group discounts available. Tickets can be purchased in person at the CCM Box Office, over the telephone at 513-556-4183 or online.

Learn about additional ticket options for current CCM students.

CCM is located on the campus of the University of Cincinnati. For detailed driving directions, visit ccm.uc.edu/directions.

Parking is available in UC's CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the UC campus. 

CCM OnStage patrons can add pre-paid parking to their checkout carts when purchasing tickets. Pre-paid parking is date/performance specific. CCM Garage parking rates for a performance or special event is usually available for $10-15. Learn more about parking at UC's CCM Garage.

For additional information on parking at UC, please visit uc.edu/about/parking.

A preeminent institution for the performing and media arts, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is the largest single source of performing arts presentations in the state of Ohio. All event dates and programs are subject to change. For a complete calendar of events, visit ccm.uc.edu/onstage.  

Featured image at the top: A promotional image for CCM's production of A Dream Play.