Tyler Graeper of Rutherfordton, NC To Perform as Merriman in William Peace Theatre's Production of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" October 15-19, 2014.

2014 Oct 6

William Peace University (http://www.peace.edu), a private four-year university located in the heart of downtown Raleigh, has announced that William Peace Theatre Company will open its fall 2014 semester with Oscar Wilde's last and most famous play The Importance of Being Earnest. Focusing on a whimsical body of characters who work within the social conventions of late Victorian London, this farcical comedy brings high absurdity, humor and witty dialog to the audience, with the protagonists maintaining fictitious personae to escape burdensome social obligations. The play's major themes are the triviality with which it treats institutions as serious as marriage, and the resulting satire of Victorian ways. The performance will run from Thursday, October 15 through Sunday, October 19 at Leggett Theatre in the University's Main Building. The production will begin at 7:30 p.m. October 15-18, with special matinee performances on October 18 and 19 at 2:00 p.m.

Tyler Graeper, a Rutherfordton, NC native and Class of 2016 B.F.A. Musical Theatre major, will perform as "Merriman" in The Importance of Being Earnest. Graeper has previously performed in William Peace Theatre's production of Much Ado About Nothing as "Benedick," Godspell as "Jeffrey," Into the Woods as "Cinderella's Prince," as "Reverend Crisparkle" in The Mystery of Edwin Drood and as "Moritz" in Spring Awakening. He is also a member of the University's Dramatic Irony Club, which recently produced Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler.

William Peace Theatre's performance of The Importance of Being Earnest is directed by Amy White, M.F.A., Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre and Theatre. "I am so excited to present William Peace University's Main Stage Production of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde," said Amy White, M.F.A., Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre and Theatre. "The students have been working diligently to bring this uproariously funny play to life. Their dedication and skill is evident. This is my first production with WPU, and I am so honored to work with everyone involved. I hope that this production provides a few lessons, many laughs, and the desire to come back for more!"

Ticket costs for the general public will be $5-$15. Tickets for shows can be purchased online at www.peace.edu/events.

William Peace University Twitter: http://twitter.com/WPeaceU William Peace University Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WPeaceU William Peace University YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/WPeaceU About William Peace University: William Peace University is located in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina. It was founded in 1857 as Peace Institute, offering education for boys and girls in primary grades and to women from high school to college. Peace, an all-women's college, became a four-year baccalaureate college and graduated its first bachelor's students in August of 1996. Exclusively an all-women's institution for its first 152 years, Peace began offering coeducational evening courses through the William Peace School of Professional Studies in 2009. In 2011, Peace College transitioned to William Peace University and began admitting male students to its day program in fall 2012. Its mission is to prepare students for careers in the organizations of tomorrow. On average, more than 90 percent of the university's graduates are placed in jobs or graduate school within one year of graduation. For more information, please visit http://www.peace.edu.