Academy of Acting: Spring Awakening

Come to the Ellice Cafe & Theatre, 587 Ellice Avenue, 

on May 18 and 19 at 7:00 pm to see

Spring Awakening: A Children's Tragedy 

The Academy of Acting, a division of the Academy of Broadcasting Corporation, proudly presents Spring Awakening  in uncensored form as the theatre practicum project for its current class.

Tickets are available from the Academy at $10. 

Mr. Gabor – James Juce

Headmistress Hart-Payne – Gizem Kirmizioglu

Professor Brockenbohn / Rupert / US Headmistress Hart-Payne – Monika Thurn und Taxis

Professor Starver / Gaston / US Wendla – Ryleigh Sykes

Professor Fitztongue / Reinhold / US Mrs. Fanny Gabor – Kim Leduc

Professor Killaflye / Helmuth / US The Masked Man – Colleen Raffard

Fetch / Diethelm – Muriel Flett

Reverend Bleekhead / A Locksmith – Chris Landowski

Mr. Stiefel – Shawn Farrell

Ina Müller / US Mrs. Bergmann – Danielle Sunley

The Masked Man – Marjorie Roden 

Dr. Procrustes / US Ilse – Sarah Winstanley

It was written by German dramatist Frank Wedekind in 1890/1891. The play realistically portrays adolescents struggling to deal with issues that are relevant today, including suicide, masturbation, abortion, homosexuality, child abuse, academic struggle, hopelessness, and love. 

Due to the nature of its content, the play has been often banned. 

This was Wedekind's first major play and is a seminal work in the modern history of theatre. It did not receive its first performance until 1906, when it premiered at the Deutsches Theater in Berlin under the direction of Max Reinhardt. 

It was first staged in English in 1917 in New York City. This performance was threatened with closure when the city's Commissioner of Licenses claimed that the play was pornographic, but a New York trial court issued an injunction to allow the production to proceed. One matinee performance was allowed for a limited audience.

A wildly popular musical adaptation of the play won 8 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.