The Nevada Conservatory Theatre opens its 25th anniversary season with Hedda Gabler on Sept. 27 - Oct. 19 in the Black Box Theatre.
Newlyweds Hedda and Tesman have returned from their honeymoon, but already their marriage is unraveling. Trapped in a world of societal expectation, Hedda struggles to assert her power and independence, manipulating those closest to her with devastating consequences.
Based on Henrik Ibsen’s classic, this world premiere adaptation by NCT’s Executive Director Kirsten Brandt is an uncompromising, intimate, and spellbinding portrait of one of theatre’s most complex characters. Directed by Norma Saldivar, this production shines new light on a timeless exploration of desire, autonomy, and destruction.
Tickets may be purchased here. Student, faculty, staff, senior, and military discounts are available.
“It is a great honor to launch the 25th season with this amazing classic play by a revolutionary playwright," said Saldivar. "It requires - like a classic - to determine what remains relevant for our modern audience. The goal is to wrap them in the story and understand they will discuss how they can relate to the characters and the circumstances."
"Working with Kirsten has been amazing. The adaptation is wonderful and musical," said Saldivar. "I loved our sitting together and working on the revelations of the language. It’s ideal for translation. What a great gift to be able to work with her on bringing this to life."
The cast includes:
- JoAnn Birt as Hedda
- Nick Case as George Tesman
- Autumn Simone Morgan as Miss Juliana Tesman
- Savanah Libatique as Mrs. Elvested “Thea”
- Andrew Scott Bullard as Judge Brack
- Drew Callahan as Eilert Lovborg
- Amber Wisely as Berta
- Alexandria Rector as Hedda, Thea u/s
- Dylan Omori McCombs as George Tesman, Brack u/s
- Sophie Suarez-Dunbar as Miss Juliana Tesman, Berta u/s
- Riley Stannard as Eilert Lovborg u/s
The creative team includes:
- Andy Taylor as Scenic Designer
- Cece Fisher as Scenic Charge
- Daniel Ly as Assistant Scenic Artist
- Aya Giardina as Technical Director
- Andee Roby as Lighting Designer
- Mary Alice Dirienzo as Sound Designer
- Caitlin Fielder as Assistant Sound Designer
- Hannah Prochaska as Costume Designer
- Danielle Aikens as Props Coordinator
- Momo Sugawara as Props Artisan
- Savie Moore as Wardrobe Trainer
- Moira Kowalski as Production Stage Manager
- Logan Haddad as Assistant Stage Manager
- Shayla Smith as Assistant Stage Manager
About Director Norma Saldivar
Norma Saldivar arrived in Las Vegas in July 2017 to chair UNLV’s Department of Theatre and serve as Executive Director of the Nevada Conservatory Theatre from 2017 to 2023.
Originally from Chicago, she has worked as a freelance stage director and member of the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre artistic staff, and has served as casting director, dramaturge, and producer for productions in Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle and Milwaukee. Ms. Saldivar is a proud member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers. Her work as a director has been diverse and included classical, contemporary, musicals, opera, and new works.
As an educator, she spent nearly two decades at the University of Wisconsin, Madison where she was a Professor in the Department of Theatre and Drama. During her time in Madison, she served as the Head of the Graduate Directing program and director of Theatre Production. Later in her time at UW, Madison she served as Executive Director of the UW-Madison Arts Institute. Recognized for its interdisciplinary arts residencies, under Saldivar’s leadership the Arts Institute sponsored performers, writers, composers, and artists from a variety of disciplines such as, Tony Award winning composer Stew and the Negro Problem and actress and director Rhodessa Jones. Her passions also included presenting and producing special arts events such as concerts, curated programming, and performances for stage, radio, and broadcast and the internationally renowned Wisconsin Film Festival. Saldivar earned her MFA from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, with an emphasis in directing, and bachelor of fine arts in acting from Illinois Wesleyan University.
NCT Mission
The Nevada Conservatory Theatre (NCT), founded by the theatre faculty in 2000 and housed in the Judy Bayley Theatre on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas stands as a model for the intersection of research, pedagogy, and professional practice. The NCT at UNLV is led by the Department of Theatre Executive Director/Artistic Director Kirsten Brandt and governed by the faculty of the Department of Theatre. Serving as the applied artistic and technical producing arm of the Department of Theatre, NCT is a national model for theatre training programs seeking to bridge the gap between academic practice and professional theatre.
NCT produces a six show season of theatrical events as well as other special events.
About the UNLV College of Fine Arts
The UNLV College of Fine Arts educates, empowers, and engages creative people to become visionary change-makers in the arts through acts of imagination. At UNLV we believe the arts are an essential good for society. We make education relevant and accessible through our programs and outreach. We create new knowledge in the arts. We celebrate independent thought and the power of bringing people together to foster creativity.
