{"id":3426,"date":"2023-04-13T12:30:30","date_gmt":"2023-04-13T17:30:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/press-releases\/?p=3426"},"modified":"2023-04-13T12:30:30","modified_gmt":"2023-04-13T17:30:30","slug":"und-theatre-presents-the-conference-of-the-birds-april-18-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/press-releases\/2023\/04\/und-theatre-presents-the-conference-of-the-birds-april-18-22\/","title":{"rendered":"UND Theatre presents \u2018The Conference of the Birds\u2019 April 18-22"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
From left to right, Patrick Cote, Stevee Wittlieb and Tacy Crawford play Peacock, Hoopoe and Dove in \u201cThe Conference of the Birds.\u201d Photo courtesy of UND Theatre.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Who:\u00a0<\/strong>UND Department of Theatre Arts<\/p>\n

What:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cThe Conference of the Birds,\u201d by Peter Brook and Jean-Claude Carriere (Based on the poem by Farid ud-Din Attar)<\/p>\n

Where:\u00a0<\/strong>Burtness Theatre<\/p>\n

When:\u00a0<\/strong>7:30 p.m., April 18-22<\/p>\n

Tickets:\u00a0<\/strong>$20 for adults, $10 for students, free for seniors and military (with ID)<\/p>\n

Box Office:\u00a0<\/strong>UND Department of Theatre Arts<\/a>, 701.777.2587<\/p>\n

UND Theatre closes the 2022-23 season with \u201cThe Conference of the Birds,\u201d by Peter Brook and Jean-Claude Carrier. This play is based on the 12th<\/sup>\u00a0century poem of the same name by Farid ud-Din Attar.<\/p>\n

It begins as all of the birds gather to choose who should be their sovereign. When the Hoopoe suggests that they should find the fabled Simorgh, the journey is set. Each bird in the group represents a characteristic that prevents mankind from attaining enlightenment. They travel through seven valleys before reaching their \u201cdestination.\u201d<\/p>\n

UND\u2019s take on the play is directed by guest artist Egla Hassan, who last directed UND\u2019s production of Sweeney Todd in 2019. The show features students portraying the birds and other characters as they complete their journey. Elegant settings, costumes, sound and lighting designs will help lead the way.<\/p>\n

The UND Department of Theatre Arts looks forward to seeing everyone for the last show in a distinguished season.<\/p>\n

About the director<\/strong><\/p>\n

Egla Birmingham Hassan is an accomplished director and professor of theatre whose 32-year career at Western Illinois University includes heading the MFA program in directing and helping young theatre artists find their own voice.<\/p>\n

Hassan is now retired from teaching and is a freelance director, looking for opportunities to tell stories that give audiences a look at the world, and sometimes a mandate to make it better.<\/p>\n

Production Information<\/strong><\/p>\n

Production Team:<\/strong><\/p>\n