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February 18 , 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CSU Dominguez Hills Reinterprets “The Heiress”
For Black History Month

WHAT: “The Heiress”

WHEN: 8 p.m. Feb. 27, 28, March 6, 7; 2 p.m. March 1 and 8

WHERE: Edison Studio Theatre, California State University, Dominguez Hills, 1000 E. Victoria St., Carson, CA 90747

COST:$12; $10 for students and senior citizens; call (310) 243-3589

(Carson, CA) – The California State University, Dominguez Hills Department of Theatre Arts is set to stage its third production of the 2008-2009 season, “The Heiress.” The show runs for two consecutive weekends beginning Feb. 27.

Set in New York’s Washington Square inside the beautiful home of Dr. Austin Sloper, “The Heiress” tells the story of his daughter, Catherine Sloper, a shy and plain young woman who falls desperately in love with a charming fortune hunter. Catherine’s lack of worldliness prevents her from realizing the young man is not entirely drawn to her charm. Conflicts arise when her father, a successful man who is admired by many, sees through the fortune hunter and forbids their marriage, forcing Catherine to choose between her loyalty to her father or her newly found love. 

In honor of Black History Month, this period drama written by Ruth and Augustus Gotez, based on the novel “Washington Square” by Henry James, has been assembled with an all-black Sloper family and set in the 1890s rather than the 1850s. Director Donis Leonard, who has received numerous nominations for excellence in African American drama, said he chose to stage the production with a non-traditional cast after researching the life of Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, an African American doctor who was widely known for performing the first successful open heart surgery in the country. He was inspired to incorporate Dr. Williams’ story into “The Heiress.”

“Although it was rare, black men did indeed hold prominence before the turn of the century in the United States,” explains Leonard, professor of theater arts at CSU Dominguez Hills. “Our entire creative team, including both the scenic and costume designers were supportive of moving the story of ‘The Heiress’ to the 1890s using a non-traditional cast. We hope the audience enjoys the additions we have made.”

The cast is led by Chenaye Gaston and Charles Snyder, both senior theatre arts majors. Adding veteran stage experience to this ensemble will be Vince Conard (’06, teaching credential), a professional actor and drama teacher at Leuzinger High School in Lawndale. Also in the play are theatre students Leon Clayborne (senior); Cameren Key (senior), Pauline Dixon (senior); and Tabitha Ayou (junior). Alumni Tiffany Cousin (’02, B.A. theatre arts) and Tamarah Searchwell (’05, B.A. theatre arts) round out the talented cast. Barry Maxwell (junior) is the stage manager for the production.

“The Heiress” will be performed in the university’s intimate 70-seat Edison Studio Theatre.
Performances will take place over the next two weekends, with Friday and Saturday shows (Feb. 27, 28, March 6 and 7) at 8 p.m. and Sunday shows (March 1 and 8) at 2 p.m. Individual ticket prices are $12 or $10 for students and senior citizens. Special group rates are available for groups of 10 or more. Season subscriptions are $35, or $30 for students and senior citizens. Tickets may be purchased by calling (310) 243-3589 or at the box office before the performances.

The University Theatre is located on the CSU Dominguez Hills campus off Toro Center Drive/Tamcliff Street at Victoria Street in Carson. Metered parking lots are within walking distance. Permits are $3 and can be purchased at yellow kiosk machines at each lot.

For more information, call (310) 243-3588.

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About CSU Dominguez Hills -- California State University, Dominguez Hills is a highly diverse, urban university located in the South Bay, primarily serving the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The university prides itself on its outstanding faculty and friendly, student-centered environment. Known for excellence in teacher education, nursing, psychology, business administration, and digital media arts, new degree programs include computer science, criminal justice, recreation and leisure studies, social work, and communication disorders. On campus is the Home Depot Center, a multi-purpose sports complex that hosts world-class soccer, tennis, track and field, lacrosse, and cycling.

Media Contact:
Amy Bentley-Smith
(310) 243-2455
abentleysmith@csudh.edu

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