Join us for our free 2023-2024 Speaker Series on select Sunday afternoons during our Season. With each session led by one of ICTC’s distinguished speakers, the afternoon will begin at 1:30 pm with a dramaturgical presentation and moderated discussion to introduce the world of the play, followed by the matinee performance. After the show, join the speaker and select members of the cast for an enlightening Talk Back.
NEXT EVENT:
Sunday, June 9, 2024 starting at 1:30pm
Private Lives‘ Speaker: Matt Refermat, Dramaturg
Join us for a captivating Speaker Series featuring Dramaturg, Matt Refermat, as he delves into the multifaceted layers of Noël Coward’s acclaimed comedy, Private Lives. Both before and after the show, Matt will lead discussions unraveling the play’s intricate themes, its profound social commentary, and the razor-sharp wit that defines Coward’s writing. Against the backdrop of 1930s glamour, Private Lives masterfully skewers the idiosyncrasies of the upper class while delving into the timeless intricacies of human relationships. Together, we’ll explore how the aftermath of World War I and the evolving gender dynamics of the era shaped the characters’ actions and motivations. By contextualizing these elements, this presentation promises to enrich your experience, offering fresh insights into how Private Lives remains a pertinent and compelling narrative for contemporary audiences.
- 1:30pm – Matt Refermat will give a 15-minute Dramaturgy presentation prior to the show.
- 2:00pm – Private Lives matinee performance (approximately 2 hours, with one 15-minute intermission).
- Post-show – There will be a 15-minute Talk Back session between the Dramaturg, select cast members, and the audience.
WHO’S WHO:
Matt Refermat
Matt Refermat (he/him) is a native of Buffalo’s East Side, Refermat has worked as a director, actor, stage manager, dramaturge, and/or teaching artist in over 100 career productions! In 2016 Refermat returned to Cheektowaga-Sloan’s John F. Kennedy High School (Class of 2009) as Producer and Director of their annual Spring Musical. Locally, Refermat’s work has been featured onstage or off at ICTC, MusicalFare Theatre, Second Generation Theatre, BUA, LOH, Shea’s 710, and the Paul Robeson Theatre in credits including: A Little Night Music, Alley of the Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof, Great Expectations, Little Women: the musical, Oklahoma!, Our Town, and Parade. Education: Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts. Love and light to the generations of oppressed people that have come before. Fight the fight; continue their work; grow peace; give love. Endless gratitude to Chris Kelly for his laughter and trust! Luke 10:37.