Communiqué
WOUB Partners with Tantrum Theater for Live Radio Play Broadcast
< < Back to woub-partners-with-tantrum-theater-for-live-radio-play-broadcastObjects in the Mirror will premiere on WOUB FM May 31 at 8 p.m.
ATHENS, OH – While Ohio and the nation are combatting the spread of the Coronavirus and being asked not to gather in large groups, many have missed being able to experience arts and cultural events like theatrical performances.
WOUB Public Media has partnered with the Tantrum Theater of Ohio University’s College of Fine Arts to bring theatre back to the people of our region safely. Tantrum Theater’s first ever radio broadcast production, a new version of Objects in the Mirror by Charles Smith, directed by Allen Gilmore, will be broadcast on WOUB FM on May 31 at 8 p.m.
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Tantrum Theater presents Sunday, May 31 at 8PM 91.3 Athens; 89.1 Cambridge; 89.1 Ironton; 91.9 Chillicothe; and 90.1 Zanesville Listen Online (live) |
“When Tantrum approached WOUB about working with them to turn Objects in the Mirror into a radio play, WOUB was very excited to partner with them,” said General Manager Mark Brewer.
“We know our members and listeners turn to us for quality programming and entertainment, especially now while many are frequently staying at home to stay safe. WOUB saw working with Tantrum to bring this play to life in a new format as a way to help the local arts community continue through this pandemic and to provide access to more quality local entertainment for our listeners.”
In this harrowing true story, listeners will flee through West Africa alongside Shedrick Yarkpai as he endures a savage escape from Liberia, grasping at the opportunity to live a fuller life in a land of peace, safety, and security. Objects in the Mirror provides an account of this brave Liberian’s search for civility; showcasing the lengths one person must go to reclaim identity and assimilate with dignity.
“In mid-March, just as first rehearsals were beginning for Objects in the Mirror, the state and local pandemic response began to close workplaces and events, along with most live theater productions. Our Tantrum artists and leadership decided the show must continue, and although we were not able to produce the live stage version, a partnership with WOUB developed and a fully produced audio version of the play became a reality,” said Interim Producing Director Josh Coy. “We are delighted to be working with WOUB in what we hope will be the first of many collaborations.”
People throughout the region and nation will have the opportunity to listen to the play. WOUB’s FM Radio Network reaches southeastern Ohio, western West Virginia and eastern Kentucky with transmitters in Athens, Chillicothe, Ironton, Zanesville and Cambridge. Those outside the region who want to listen to the premiere can listen to the live stream online by going to woub.org/listen or asking their smart speaker to play WOUB FM.
“WOUB’s ability to reach people throughout the region and across the United States provides an opportunity for great exposure for this play and the great work being done by the Tantrum Theater at Ohio University,” said Brewer.
Putting the radio play together was no easy task, as social distancing required the Tantrum team to get very creative. Objects in the Mirror sound designer and School of Theater faculty member Steven Leffue accepted the additional role of recording engineer and the cast transitioned to remote online rehearsals to prepare for recording. The recording was accomplished over three days, with detailed editing extending another two weeks.
Director Allen Gilmore calls Objects in the Mirror “a singular theatrical phenomenon. Its words and images are as layered, epic, and indelible, as is this true story of Shedrick Kennedy Yarkpai,” and adds this, “in the face of crisis, we still need great storytelling. That is why we made this work of art for you.”
About Tantrum Theater
Tantrum was founded in the fall of 2015 by Ohio University’s College of Fine Arts. The theater is a professional company and serves as a training ground providing apprenticeships for students in the Theater Division. The name Tantrum Theater comes from a group of Ohio University graduate students who discovered that one of the collective names for a group of bobcats is a Tantrum. The mascot of Ohio University is the bobcat. Tantrum’s mission is to create and propel forward a resident professional theater company and training conservatory in a partnership with the Ohio University College of Fine Arts.