Waukesha's Dylan Baxter works with Hollywood writer Keith Huff

Waukesha’s Dylan Baxter works with Hollywood writer Keith Huff

By Natalie Del Ricco

February 25, 2015

What does Waukesha native and Carthage College student Dyan Baxter have in common with Hollywood mega stars Hugh Jackman, John Hamm and Kevin Spacey? They have all had the opportunity to work with one of today’s most in-demand playwrights, Keith Huff.

Huff is known for writing some of the most thrilling dialogue for “Mad Men” and “House of Cards.” This spring, Pare will have a chance to speak lines from this hotter-than-hot writer when she appears in a new play written specifically for the Carthage College Theater Department entitled, “Up The Hill.”

Similar to Huff’s “House of Cards,” this new dramatic work seeps with the behind-the-scenes drama of Washington D.C. Despite their earnest attempts, Jill and Jack, two young and eager congressional interns, get caught up in the web of black mail and political intrigue of Washington’s corridors of power. Before long, these public servants feel forced into questioning everything they believe.

“I play the character of Todd, which is really interesting for me because the character is very driven by his work,” said Baxter.

Carthage College students were able to work with the script since April of 2014 –giving them nearly a full year to become familiar with the characters and participate in the crafting of the play into its final form. With regard to working with Keith Huff, Baxter said, “Being able to work with such an amazing playwright through Carthage’s New Play initiative is mind blowing for me.

Directing “Up The Hill” is Carthage College Theater Department Chair, Professor Martin McClendon.

“We’re truly lucky to have such an array of playwrights participate in the New Play Initiative,” Prof. McClendon said. “Each of the seven productions have been different in the way they’ve come together. On one end, some start with just an idea and organically form into a play and others come in with a more defined script. Having students exposed to a variety of styles prepares them more for a life in theatre.”

Every spring, Carthage College selects a pre-eminent writer to commission a new script for the Carthage College Theater Department’s New Play Initiative which began in 2008. Some past writers include Emmy-winner Rick Cleveland, Jeffrey Hatcher and Tony Award Nominee Eric Simonson.

The New Play Initiative has become a central part of Carthage Theater’s goal of producing excellent and innovative theater. Since their 2008-2009 season the Carthage College Theater Department has distinguished itself by commissioning, developing and premiering a new play each year. While each project has been unique, all have provided otherwise unattainable opportunities for Carthage students.

These opportunities include working closely with an outstanding playwright to originate a role, often one written with the specific actor in mind, experiencing the joys and challenges that come with being a part of the creative process and to make history. Students help contribute not just a new production for the season, but a brand new play for the world of theater.

Previous New Play Initiative works include: “Honest” (2008-2009) by the celebrated playwright, filmmaker, director and Tony Award-nominee Eric Simonson; A new translation by Aparna Dharwadker and Vinay Dharwadker of Mohan Rakesh’s “One Day in the Season of Rain” (2009-2010); “The Rail Splitter” (2010-2011) by Emmy Award-winner Rick Cleveland; “Ghost Bike” (2011-2012) by Wasserstein Prize-winner Laura Jacqmin; “A Clamour of Rooks” (2012-2013) by Martin Maguire; and “No Name” (2013-2014) by Iver Award-winner Jeffrey Hatcher.

Performance Schedule and Ticket Information:

“Up The Hill” will be performed at the Wartburg Auditorium in the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Natural and Social Sciences, 2001 Alford Park Drive. The performance schedule is as follows:

· Friday, February 27, 2015 – 7:30 p.m.

· Saturday, February 28, 2015 – 7:30 p.m.

· Sunday, February 29, 2015 – 3 p.m.

· Thursday, March 5, 2015 – 7:30 p.m.

· Friday, March 6, 2015 – 7:30 p.m.

· Saturday, March 7, 2015 – 7:30 p.m.

General tickets are $14. Students and seniors are $8. To order tickets or reserve seats for Carthage College Theater Department productions, please call 262.551.6661 or send an e-mail to theatretickets@carthage.edu. Carthage College’s Fine Arts Weekend, which features an array of music, theater and dance performances and art exhibitions, runs March 6 – 8.