Ithaca College

Ithaca, NY- Ithaca College Theatre has invited professional theatre artists Michael Jerome Johnson and Kara Harmon to contribute their expertise to the production of Aphra Behn’s “The Rover.”

As this Restoration-era comedy features no fewer than nine stage-fights, IC brought Fight Director, Michael Jerome Johnson, to campus for an extended residency. Johnson holds the rank of Fight Director with the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) and Master instructor with Dueling Arts International. Two years after being certified with SAFD, he created the weapons discipline for short knives which he used throughout the rehearsal and staging process for “The Rover.” Some of Johnson’s credits include Fight Director for Hamlet at Riot Act, Two Gentlemen of Verona with The Shakespeare Theatre of Washington, and Polk County, Constant Star, A Streetcar Named Desire, Tom Walker, The Great White Hope, The Miracle Worker, The Royal Family, Guys and Dolls, and The Women with Arena Stage in Washington, DC. He has taught at Indiana University in Bloomington, AMDA in New York City, Georgetown University and the University of Maryland.

Says Johnson, "This is my second time working on 'The Rover.' The first time was at my alma mater - the UNC School of the Arts. As it was the first time, the young actors have both inspired and challenged me to do my best work with them. And as before, it's been a distinct pleasure working with all of them. I'd be remiss if I didn't thank Director Greg Bostwick and the rest of the production team. It's been a joy working beside them."

“The Rover’s” costume designer, Kara Harmon, is an IC alumnus who has returned to design the colorful and elaborate costumes. Her challenge has been to outfit the company of more than 20 actors appropriate to the setting of the play during Mardi Gras in 1940s New Orleans.

She says, “As an alumnus of the Theatrical Production Arts program, returning to Ithaca College to costume design 'The Rover,' my main objective is to deliver designs that support the text and the vision of the artistic team. We are storytellers and historians. The design’s foundation is heavily rooted in historical research from the 1940’s Mardi Gras celebrations, which has been our guide throughout the production process. The costume team has worked diligently to recreate a 1940’s world for the audience to transport themselves into.”

Harmon has designed costumes for the Flashdance National Tour, The Mountaintop with Trinity Repertory Company, The Rape of Lucretia with Wolf Trap Opera, Seven Guitars with Actors Theatre of Louisville, Much Ado About Nothing and The Comedy of Errors with OSF, Clybourne Park and The Trip to Bountiful with The Hangar Theatre, and Seven Guitars and Broke-ology with The Juilliard School. Her television design work includes “Daredevil” (Season 2, Netflix) and “Boardwalk Empire” (Season 5, HBO).

“The Rover” will be performed on April 25, 27, 28, and 29 at 8 p.m., as well as April 29 and 30 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices range from $8 to $16. Tickets are currently available online at Ithaca.ticketforce.com. You may call or visit the Dillingham Center Box Office Monday-Thursday, noon-5 p.m.; and Friday noon-4 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased over the phone at (607) 274-3224.

Please be advised: “The Rover” contains depictions of sexual content and violence that may not be suitable for children.

Follow Ithaca College Theatre on Facebook and on Twitter and Instagram at @ICTheatreArts.

Dillingham Center accommodates all patrons. Individuals with special needs are asked to contact (607) 274-3224 to request accommodations as soon as possible.
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