�Ӱ�ԭ��

Rose Butala �Ӱ�ԭ��22 has taken on a variety of roles as part of her involvement with the University�Ӱ�ԭ��s . This week, she is excited to take on the role of a queen.

A forensic science major, Butala will step onto the stage as Gynecia, a queen she describes as �Ӱ�ԭ��strong hearted�Ӱ�ԭ�� and who �Ӱ�ԭ��wants respect and to be listened to.�Ӱ�ԭ�� Butala is excited play her part in the University�Ӱ�ԭ��s production of �Ӱ�ԭ��Head Over Heels.�Ӱ�ԭ��

�Ӱ�ԭ��Gynecia adores her children and wants what�Ӱ�ԭ��s best for herself and others,�Ӱ�ԭ�� Butala explains. �Ӱ�ԭ��I have enjoyed learning the musical numbers and watching how the story comes together. Seeing everyone really sync into their characters has been the best part.�Ӱ�ԭ��

A contemporary adaptation of The Countess of Pembroke�Ӱ�ԭ��s Arcadia, a well-known 16th century pastoral romance by Sir Philip Sidney, Head over Heels is a musical featuring songs by 1980s pop band The Go-Go�Ӱ�ԭ��s.

The musical follows King Basilius and his family and subjects as they journey to Bohemia in an attempt to escape the Oracle�Ӱ�ԭ��s four prophecies that will bring doom to Arcadia. Their perilous journey leads to self-discovery and the promise of a bright future.

The production marks the Theater Program�Ӱ�ԭ��s first in-person performance since March of 2020. The curtain comes up Wednesday through Saturday, November 10 to 13, at 7:30 p.m. in Bucknall Theater in Dodds Hall. . All attendees must wear a face covering, regardless of vaccination status. Members of the University community must also display their CoVerified cleared badge upon entry. All non-University guests must show proof of being fully vaccinated or proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR or viral antigen test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival on campus.

�Ӱ�ԭ��The musical is a buoyant, playful work that celebrates the power of being true to oneself,�Ӱ�ԭ�� said Margaret Savilonis, Ph.D., co-coordinator of the University�Ӱ�ԭ��s Theater Program and the show�Ӱ�ԭ��s director. �Ӱ�ԭ��The play touches on many subjects, but right now, for me, it�Ӱ�ԭ��s a message about the importance of really listening to one another. It�Ӱ�ԭ��s about evolving instead of doing things one way merely because it�Ӱ�ԭ��s the way they�Ӱ�ԭ��ve always been done, which resonates strongly for me. We�Ӱ�ԭ��re glad to finally be able to bring it to life.�Ӱ�ԭ��

�Ӱ�ԭ��It underscores how important it is to stay true to yourself�Ӱ�ԭ��

Following the performance on Thursday, November 11, the University will host a conversation featuring Ian Shick, assistant director of LGBTQ+ resources for the University�Ӱ�ԭ��s Myatt Center for Diversity and Inclusion, and Dolores Dégagé Hopkins, a member of the . Sydney Guye �Ӱ�ԭ��19, who is pursuing her MFA in dramaturgy at , will facilitate the discussion.

�Ӱ�ԭ��We are looking forward to a full return to live programming, especially as it relates to our program�Ӱ�ԭ��s long-standing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and our practice of public scholarship,�Ӱ�ԭ�� said Dr. Savilonis. �Ӱ�ԭ��Through this, creative activity joins serious intellectual endeavor with a commitment to public practice and public consequence.�Ӱ�ԭ��

Butala, who was also a cast member in the University�Ӱ�ԭ��s production of �Ӱ�ԭ��The Wolves�Ӱ�ԭ�� in 2019 and in �Ӱ�ԭ��C������������Ӱ�ԭ�� in 2018, says �Ӱ�ԭ��Head Over Heels�Ӱ�ԭ�� has important lessons that are relevant to everyone. She hopes the audience will also enjoy it.

�Ӱ�ԭ��Members of the University community should come see �Ӱ�ԭ��Head Over Heels�Ӱ�ԭ�� because it tells a story about how different types of people can undergo a change in themselves,�Ӱ�ԭ�� she said. �Ӱ�ԭ��It underscores how important it is to stay true to yourself. We have all worked really hard to put it together!�Ӱ�ԭ��