College of Marin Drama Department Presents The Comedy of Errors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 7, 2015
KENTFIELD, CA – The College of Marin (COM) Drama Department presents William Shakespeare’s hilarious farce, The Comedy of Errors as the final fundraising production celebrating the department’s 50-year anniversary. This entertaining and accessible work was the first play ever presented at the College in 1964. Directed by COM’s own, James Dunn, The Comedy of Errors is full of chase sequences, mistaken identities, ridiculous brawls and so much more.
“When I think of The Comedy of Errors, I can’t help but appreciate the historical clinic on comedy that is pressed within its pages,” said College of Marin’s Chair of Drama, Lisa Morse. “You can see the humor of Plautus, stock characters of Commedia dell’arte, and the contemporary sit-com all rolled into one production.”
CALENDAR INFORMATION:
WHAT:
The Comedy of Errors, Final Fundraising Event for the College of Marin Drama Department
WHO:
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by James Dunn
WHEN:
March 5*, 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 – 7:30 p.m.
March 15** and 22 – 2 p.m.
WHERE:
James Dunn Theatre, Performing Arts Building
Kentfield Campus
(Corner of Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and Laurel Avenue, Kentfield)
ADMISSION:
Non-subscription single ticket prices: $20 general, $15 seniors, $10 students/COM employees and alumni
*Pay-what-you-will preview
**Talkback with the director
Proceeds to benefit the College of Marin Drama Department
DIRECTOR BIOGRAPHY:
James Dunn: Students have studied with Jim Dunn since he founded the College of Marin Drama Department in 1964. Jim taught full time for 30 years, and continues to teach on a part-time basis. He served as Chair of the Drama Department until 1994, directing more than 250 plays. Among his most notable is a 1971 Wild West production of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, which was performed at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland. To the delight of students and audiences alike, Jim continues to teach Shakespeare and direct spring productions.
During his tenure at the College, Jim received several honors, most notably, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critic’s Circle SFBATCC Awards for Directing, the Los Angeles Dramalogue Award for Directing, and the San Francisco Dramalogue Award for Directing. He was also nominated for the Hayward Award for Excellence in Teaching and received an Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts in Marin County from the Marin County Cultural Society. He also received a Milly Award for Achievement in Theatre Arts from the City of Mill Valley, California. Jim was honored to receive the 2012 Heroes of Marin Lifetime Achievement Award granted by the Pacific Sun and the Lifetime Achievement Directing Award from the SFBATCC. In 2012 the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the dedication of the College of Marin’s – James Dunn Theatre in recognition of his commitment and achievement.
Outside of the College, Dunn was the artistic director of the Marin County Mountain Play for 30 years. He has also worked as a visiting director at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, Denver Center for the Arts in Colorado, the Julliard School in New York, the Marin Shakespeare Festival, and the Marin Theatre Company.
ABOUT COM DRAMA DEPARTMENT:
College of Marin Drama productions have entertained audiences for 50 years while providing students opportunities to study with professional instructors. Support of this production and others enables the Department to continue the mission of educating students and enriching the community.
Fundraising money from last year allowed the COM Drama Department to finish this year’s season of shows but without a budget increase, the Department must rely on public support more than ever going forward.