West Chester University Department Of Theatre And Dance Presents Anna Deavere Smith’s HOUSE ARREST

Press release from West Chester University:

February 24, 2021

HOUSE ARREST

Directed by Philadelphia-based guest artist Victoria Goins, HOUSE ARREST: A Search for American Character In and Around the White House, Past
and Present, is a series of monologues that aims to weave an account of American politics through
the voices of the American people. With the entire text derived verbatim from historical
writings and interviews with the playwright, HOUSE ARREST questions “who is the author of our ‘official truth’” --the observed or the observer?

Smith is widely recognized and awarded for her “documentary theatre” style. Written in 2000, HOUSE ARREST is a timely exploration of how the American presidency has changed in the last 200
years, told through the voices of more than 40 characters including Thomas Jefferson,
Bill Clinton, and an array of Washington insiders and outsiders.

Guest director Victoria Goins says, “History is a living, breathing, and evolving
beast, and any opportunity to comment on history via theatre excites me.”

The Department of Theatre and Dance is presenting a series of mostly virtual events
during the Spring 2021 semester. Associate professor Liz Staruch says, “In this Spring
semester, the Department of Theatre and Dance is coming together with creativity,
passion, and drive to ensure that our students, faculty and audiences remain safe
and connected in the current ever-changing climate.”

The HOUSE ARREST production team includes: Director: Victoria Aaliyah Goins (guest artist), Vocal
Coach: Leonard Kelly (faculty), Stage Manager: Caitlin Iannella, Production Designer:
Juliet Wunsch (faculty), Costume Designer: Ilycia Buffaloe, Hair & Makeup Designer:
Erica Barnes, Sound Designers: Olivia Quinones, Alondra Santos-Castillo, Properties
Master: Zach Galloza, Video Editor: Kelly Donnelly

The HOUSE ARREST cast includes (all students): Aaron Kirk, Clare McKernan, Lauren Ralston, Leslie
Monaco, Madalyn DeFelice, Matt Melchior, Moe Elhabbal, Noah Glose, Nyred Jackson,
Olivia Dilorio, Sarah Ford, Sean Kennedy, Zamar Campbell-Llloyd, and Logan Santana.

The Department of Theatre and Dance at West Chester University, an accredited institution of the National Association
of Schools of Theatre, prepares students for the professional and the academic worlds
of Theatre and Dance, while raising student awareness of civility, diversity, creativity,
problem solving and social responsibility. The department offers a BA Theatre degree
program with elective concentrations in Musical Theatre, Performance, and Design and
Production, in addition to a dance minor and theatre minor.

The Department of Theatre and Dance

This press release was produced by West Chester University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.