RICHARDSON, Texas (Dec. 5, 2003) -- Terry Martin, award-winning artistic director of Addison's WaterTower Theatre, will direct the regional premiere of Christopher Durang's comedie noir, Betty's Summer Vacation , at The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) Feb. 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15 in the University Theatre.   Friday and Saturday performances will begin at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m.

Betty's Summer Vacation, a black-comedy send-up of America's insatiable appetite for scandal and reality television, is a merry beachside romp featuring murder, mutilation and charades.   In the play, Betty is looking for the ultimate summer vacation when she rents a room at a cozy beach house.   However, her vacation turns into a surreal adventure when the darker sides of the other summer renters begin to unfold. 

The collaboration with Martin continues UTD's commitment to forming cooperative projects between students and outstanding artists and artistic organizations.   The cast and crew of Betty's Summer Vacation will include such notable professionals as Leon Rabin award-winning actress Mary Anna Austin, as Mrs. Siezmagraff, and Leon Rabin award-winning lighting designer and UTD technical director Jeff   Stover.   UTD senior and WaterTower Theatre regular Amanda Denton, who has studied closely with Martin, will serve as assistant director.

The remainder of the cast and backstage support for Betty's Summer Vacation is composed almost entirely of UTD students -- Kristi Humphreys as Betty, Margaret Athene Chaplin as Trudy, Ryan Scneider as Buck, Bobby Selah as Keith, Rick Tuman as Mr. Vanislaw, Clayton Farris as Voice 1, Rebecca McDonald as Voice 2, Uri Heller as Voice 3 and Sylvia May as stage manager.   Both Denton and May are senior UTD Arts and Humanities majors who have been working with Martin at the WaterTower Theatre.

Tickets for Betty's Summer Vacation are $15 for adults, $10 for students and free at the door to UTD students with a valid identification.    UTD ticket office hours are from 2 to 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays and at the door one hour prior to show time.   To purchase tickets using Visa, MasterCard or Discover, please call 972-883-2787.

For information about the many musical, arts, theatre, dance and other performances and exhibitions held throughout the year at UTD, please call 972-UTD-ARTS (972-883-2787), e-mail sprater@utdallas.edu or visit the School of Arts and Humanities' web site at http://ah.utdallas.edu/ Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations may call 972-883-2982, Texas Relay Operator: 1-800-RELAYVV.

About UTD
The University of Texas at Dallas, located at the convergence of Richardson, Plano and Dallas in the heart of the complex of major multinational technology corporations known as the Telecom Corridor, enrolls about 13,700 students. The school's freshman class traditionally stands at the forefront of Texas state universities in terms of average SAT scores. The university offers a broad assortment of bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs. For additional information about UTD, please visit the university's web site at www.utdallas.edu.

About Kim Childs
Kim Childs, director of the UTD Chorale, is a full-time director of music at the Unity Church of Dallas.  He is the director of the 55-member Singing Unity Chorus, which will perform Handel's Messiah   (Part the First) Dec. 10 with the Dallas Chamber Orchestra.   He also conducts a five-octave adult handbell ensemble and several children's and youth choirs. Childs also was the conductor of the Northeast Orchestra for several years.