Twenty days. That’s what it took for the University of Houston and the Alley Theatre to prepare to open the Alley’s 2017-2018 season with the world premiere of “Describe the Night”. The production at the UH Quintero Theatre runs through Oct. 15.
Flooding from Hurricane Harvey damaged the Alley Theatre’s electrical systems, as well as the basement level props storage, dressing rooms, Mitchell Lobby and the Neuhaus Theatre, so playwright Rajiv Joseph and Managing Director Dean Gladden reached out to UH President Renu Khator and Andrew Davis, dean of the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts for help.
“We are one cohesive arts community and we all recognize the show must go on,” said Davis. “We have the facilities and equipment, we didn’t sustain any damage, so we are excited to step up and help our partner organizations.”
"Our production of 'Describe the Night' at the University of Houston strengthens the theatre's existing relationship with UH,” Gladden added. “We are grateful they have allowed us to continue to do what we love to do - produce and present great theater. We look forward to welcoming our patrons out to the Quintero Theatre for the run of our world premiere production."
To make room, Rob Shimko, director of the UH School of Theatre & Dance relocated classes from the Quintero Theatre so the Alley production crew could load the set and hang the lights. Previews opened last weekend.
“I'm very proud that UH can be part of American theatre history in this way,” Shimko said.
The Alley Theatre performed its 2014-2015 season in the UH Wortham Theatre while the Alley facility in downtown Houston went through a $46.5 million renovation.
Click here to see the updated 2017-2018 Alley season schedule.