Theatre fans returning for the new semester are invited to join Southeastern Theatre in closing out their 2011-2012 season with the final two productions of the year.

Mid season will begin with a production of the 1983 play “‘night, Mother” by Marsha Norman that will run from Feb. 15-18 and will conclude with a production of a new work entitled “Who the F*ck is Dan Smith?, or a hipster ballet” by Michael Bradley on April 25-28 in the Vonnie Borden Theatre.

Instructor of acting and directing Chad Winters said that the rest of this season offers attendees the chance to see two very different types of plays.

“We have a very serious drama to start out the spring semester and we end on a much lighter note,” Winters said. “Audiences will be able to come and see something moving and heartbreaking and then the next piece that’s offered is a lot more lighthearted and fun.”

“‘Night, Mother” is a Pulitzer Prize winning drama that features only two actors on stage. It focuses on the struggle between a mother and a daughter and the issue of suicide.

“It’s a play about a mother who is trying to save her daughter’s life and the struggle between the two,” Winters said.

Winters was reluctant to give away too much of the plot and expressed his belief that the audience not knowing the entirety of it will immediately draw them in.

“I think a lot of people will come in not knowing at all and, boom, within five minutes you are thrust in as an audience,” said Winters.

The final play of the season, “Who the F*ck is Dan Smith?” is a new work that will be directed by guest director Shiloh Klein.

Winters explained that part of the decision to do a production of “Who the F*ck is Dan Smith?” stemmed from the desire to introduce their student actors to new works.

“We like to get new works into our seasons as often as we can,” said Winters. “It’s a chance for our actors to approach what the process is when looking at something that’s new.”

Visually, Winter described the set for each play as being more stylized and realistic. He hopes that the set will help inspire conversation about the topics explored on stage.

“There’s a transparency to the set where you can sort of see things,” Winters said. “The set will make you think a little bit about the themes of the play.”

Winter expressed the belief that these two works speak to the college audience and that they are an event that will stimulate conversation.

“I think what’s great about this is that this is an event where people can come to, bring their friends to it and watch the story and after go out and talk about what you’re seeing,” said Winters.

More information on the season can be found on the Southeastern Theatre Web page located within Southeastern’s website. All questions regarding the 2011-2012 season can be directed to Chad Winters at [email protected].