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The ULM VAPA Department Takes On Two Operas In One Night This Season

ULM's School of Visual and Performing Arts is presenting two fantastic one act music-dramas by Gian-Carlo Menotti, The Medium and Amelia Goes to the Ball, in the ULM Spyker Theatre on October 30, 31 and November 1 and 2, at 7:30 p.m. 

Ticket availability is limited, as their are only 152 seats in the Spyker Theater. Admission will be free to ULM students, $5 for faculty, and $15 for general admission. 

The Medium is a frightening and realistic view of a woman, Madam Flora, in crisis. She performs seances for her clients with the help of her daughter Monica and a young man named Toby. The twists and turns in this drama are shocking and amazing all the same. 

Mark Clark, director of the two operas, says, "The people that come to the seances are people that have lost their children at a young age. It is kind of sad, but they get comfort from seeing images of their children, even though they are fake."

Amelia Goes to the Ball is a completely different style. It is a crazy comedy full of broad characterizations and silly situations. The opera is about a woman named Amelia, a stereotypical housewife, that wants to find some joy in life by going to the ball, but faces some obstacles along the way.

Leah Huber, who plays Amelia in the opera,  says, "Amelia is someone I think a lot of us can relate to that is just trying to have fun. In the end, she may or may not get to the ball. You'll have to come see to find out what happens."

Tickets are available at the Music Office in Biedenharn Hall - Room 105, or can be bought at the door if there are any left.

For more information, call the VAPA office at (318) 342-1414 or click here