"DESCENT TO EXTREME" A MULTIMEDIA PERFORMANCE MAY 21ST AT ALYS STEPHENS CENTER
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A unique dramatic performance, "Descent to Extreme," takes place at 8 p.m. May 21, at the Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center.
The piece was created as a reaction to the Jan. 29 bombing of the New Woman All Women Health Care Clinic. The explosion killed one person and seriously injured another.
"Descent to Extreme" is a collaboration between the UAB MIDI Ensemble and the UAB Department of Theatre. The drama explores how devotion to a cause - even one deemed to be worthy by many - can degenerate into violence.
Two actors portray a couple torn apart by their differing views of how to respond to the world's problems. Music created by the MIDI Ensemble is interwoven with the drama -- as are projected images, some abstract but some showing similar crimes from throughout history.
"It's a true multimedia experience," say MIDI Ensemble director Michael Angell, D.M.A., who began the project shortly after the bombing. "We want to surround the audience with imges and sounds of all different kinds."
UAB Playwright-in-Residence, Lee Eric Shackleford, wrote the script for the six short scenes that comprise "Descent."
"Mike Angell and I had wanted to collaborate on something," explains Shackleford. "Then he told me his idea about doing something related to the bombing, and it was like getting an electric shock - I haven't been able to stop thinking about this for one minute since."
Angell assigned his students to write music accompanying the play.
My students have always been assigned the task of writing their own music," said Angell. "This time they have each been assigned a scene from this play -- the intensity of the music underscores the dramatic content; they have really embraced the project and are excited to be a part of this first-ever music/drama collaboration at the Stephens Center."
"Descent to Extreme" combines theatrical performances by UAB students Jason C. Kennah and Andrea Frankle with the musical talents of the MIDI Ensemble students: Darci Alexander, Jessica Grant, Todd Hasson, Neal Matherne, Larry Owen, Matt Phillips, and Marlon Spears.
In addition to their work on "Descent to Extreme," each ensemble member will be presenting one of their own computer music compositions on the concert. Styles will range from Celtic, African, Bulgarian, Classical, and experimental styles.
"From surround-sound to big screen visual images, this is a unique combination of musical and theatrical arts," said Angell.