‘Love, Information’ Offers Theatrical Exploration

Guest artist Nita June Davanzo directs “Love and Information,” a kaleidoscopic play exploring contemporary issues about knowledge, technology and communication, and our capacity for love, on January 30- February 2 in Westmont’s Black Box Theatre at Porter Hall. All four 7:30 p.m. shows are sold out, however, seats are now available for two newly added matinees Jan. 1-2 at 2 p.m. Tickets, which cost $10 for students and seniors, $15 for adults, may be purchased online at westmont.edu/boxoffice. The play does contain mature content. For more information, please contact (805) 565-7040.

“Love and Information,” written by British playwright Caryl Churchill and opened in 2012 at the Royal Court Theater, is organized into seven sections with more than 50 scenes, allowing the director to rearrange the order of the sections.

“Each scene is like a golden puzzle nugget,” Davanzo says. “None of the characters have names or descriptions, nor is a location noted; it is simply lines with a title  and plenty of room for exploration and discovery.”

Davanzo uses this creative freedom to explore intriguing themes and perspectives. “I have chosen to bring in the element of film and video throughout the play, utilizing live camera feeds, pre-recorded film sequences and projections,” she says. “It’s a rich sensory experience of story, color, music and emotion. I aim to leave the audience feeling moved, introspective and alive.”

Davanzo, who began acting and singing from a young age, has always had a passion for the arts. She graduated from Barnard College and earned a Master of Fine Arts from Naropa University. She is an independent educational consultant for young adults. She has worked as an actor, director, violinist and teacher in London, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boulder, and Santa Barbara.