Stetson University presents Terence McNally’s Master Class, Thursday through Saturday, Feb.19-21, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 22^, at 3 p.m., in Stetson Theatre Arts’ “Second Stage” located inside the Museum of Art, 600 N. Woodland Blvd., adjacent to the DeLand campus.

Master Class is an inspirational comedy about opera legend Maria Callas, one of the most famous performers of all time. No longer able to perform on stage, Callas has now agreed to offer Master Classes at Juilliard. This hilarious play offers insight into the life and career of the famous performer as she spends an evening tearing apart and inspiring the next generation of operatic performers. As Callas reminisces over her professional successes and her personal failures, she dares these students to be just as renowned, reviled and revered as she was.

“Directing this play has been a truly enriching and inspiring experience,” said Julia Schmitt, Ph.D., director and associate professor of Theatre Arts at Stetson. “Maria Callas is truly a larger than life character, and her passion is infectious. Her words on the value of art in our culture, and the sacrifice that comes with it, has truly made an impression on all of us.”

“I feel honored to be playing Maria Callas,” said Roxy Ghamgosarnia, senior theatre arts major playing the part of Maria Callas. “I have discovered what a phenomenal woman Callas was, how strong and courageous she was. She was such a passionate woman and this journey of discovering her character has been thrilling. It has helped me as an actress and artist and given me even more appreciation for art and music as a whole. I only hope people will listen to her words and experience her wisdom in a way that I have.”

The cast and crew includes: Roxy Ghamgosarnia (Maria Callas), Kerry Lynch (Understudy), Julia McClure (First Soprano), Drew Neitzey (Tenor), Elyessa Rivera (Stagehand), Cassandra Small (Second Soprano), and Andrew Townes (Accompanist).

Admission for this performance is $12 for adults, and $10 for seniors and students. Stetson students, faculty and staff are admitted free with a valid ID. Tickets will be available at the door and reserved tickets must be picked up 30 minutes prior to the start of the show. Box office will be open one hour prior to curtain. 

Stetson’s next theater production will be Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris – Thursday through Saturday, April 16 – 18, 2015, at 8 p.m.; Sunday, April 19, 2015, at 3 p.m.  

On Thursday, Feb. 26, 7 p.m., Kennedy Center award-winning playwright, theatre producer and Stetson adjunct professor Ron Song Destro will offer a free visual presentation entitled Who Really Wrote As Will Shake-speare? also at the Stetson Theatre Arts’ “Second Stage” located inside the Museum of Art in DeLand. The presentation is open to the public.

For information or reservations, call Stetson Theatre’s “Second Stage” box office at (386) 822-8700. Visit Stetson’s Creative Arts Department for more information about Stetson University’s digital arts, art, theater and humanities programs.

(In the photo, opera diva Maria Callas impatiently waits for a glass of water while the stagehand looks to the accompanist for permission to approach to her. Left to right: Elyessa Rivera, Andrew Townes, Roxanna Ghamgosarnia. Photo by Ken McCoy.)

By Grace Aguda