Dance theater puts new spin on coming of age for 'Wayward'
The cast includes, from left, students Justin Sharlman, Amy La Faille, Aaron Pratt. (Photo: Luiza Silva)
- April 7, 2010
"Wayward," an immersive dance theatre event that will lead audiences on a journey through and around the Cal State East Bay University Theatre, will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 7-8 and May 14-15, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 16.
The show, rated “R” for mature content and non-sexual nudity, will consist of two parts, both focused on issues concerning growing up, rites of passage and what it means to be an adult. The University Theatre is located on CSUEB's Hayward campus, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd.
The opening act, "Big Red," was created and directed by Nina Haft, theatre and dance assistant professor, as a contemporary riff on the classic fairy tale, "Little Red Riding Hood."
"Big Red" will take the performers and guests – including those with special access needs – to several non-traditional performance spaces in and around the theatre building, culminating on stage with the audience in a predatory and celebratory ritual circle, according to Haft.
The second half of the show will be a preview performance of "Dan Plonsey's Bar Mitzvah," a work directed by Eric Kupers, theatre and dance assistant professor, with CSUEB students and alumni, Dandelion Dancetheater, and the band Daniel Popsicle. It will be co-presented by the Jewish Music Festival.
“Dan Plonsey's Bar Mitzvah" invites audiences into a bizarre, joyful and unusual rite-of-passage celebration for composer Dan Plonsey – a 50-year-old secular Jew who never had a Bar Mitzvah, and is now questioning what it means to be an adult and a member of a community. Interdisciplinary performers examine the nature of family gatherings, conformity versus individuality and social taboos. The full work will have its world premiere performances in July at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco.
Tickets to “Wayward” are $15 for general admission, $10 for youth/senior/alumni, and $5 for CSUEB students with an ID card. Tickets also can be reserved online at or at (510) 885-3118.
CSUEB welcomes persons with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please notify event sponsor in advance at (510) 885-3118 if accommodation is needed.