Busy spring for ESU Theatre; two productions in rehearsal

When the auditions were held in mid-January for the winter 2008 production season, ESU theatre directors chose casts for not one play, as is usually the case, but two. And with one production opening on the heels of another, that means that two productions are currently in production gearing toward their opening nights. Student actors, designers, builders and crew have been working on both productions since they were cast on January 18.

"The Woman in Black" opens February 27 in Bruder Theatre

First up is the English ghost story, "The Woman in Black". Based on the celebrated novel by Susan Hill and unanimously acclaimed by the critics, it has run over 14 years in London’s West End. "The Woman In Black" is a powerful and brooding ghost story. A cast of three brings the story to life—Ben Fleer (Olathe junior), Gabe Moyer (Olathe sophomore) and Emily Warren (Wichita freshman). It was adapted for the stage by Stephen Mallatratt.

The play is under the direction of Kyle Land. The production team includes Amanda Dura (costume designer), Michael Wilke (Atchison senior) is the scenic and lighting designer and Katie Schultz (Hesston senior) is production stage manager. Pat Janssen (Emporia senior) is creating the complex sound design. The makeup designer is Tricia Stogsdill (Pleasanton senior). Chris Wilson (Mulvane freshman) is the assistant stage manager. The Woman in Black will be performed at the Bruder Theatre in King Hall. Performance dates are February 27-29, and March 1, 2008 at 7:30 pm.

"Nickel and Dimed" opens March 5 in Frederickson Theatre

"Nickel and Dimed" will run March 5-8 at 7:30 p.m. A 2 p.m. matinee will be presented Sunday, March 9. Guest director Ron Frederickson returns to direct "Nickel and Dimed" in the theatre that bears his name. The Ronald Q. Frederickson Theatre was dedicated in his honor in May 2005.

Recipient of the 1998 Kansas Governor's Arts Educator Award, and a Kennedy Center Medallion of Excellence for 1999, Frederickson will also be the 2008 Pflaum lecturer. He will present a director’s talkback following the matinee performance of Nickel and Dimed on March 9. A reception in Frederickson’s honor follows his presentation.

Based on the book, "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America", Barbara Ehrenreich’s best-seller is vivid and witty, yet always deeply sobering.

A cast of six brings the play to life. They are Ali Wells (Spring Hill junior), Susan Samuelson (Burlington senior), Aubrey Rice (Ellsworth freshman), Jamie McCabe (Mandan, N.D. senior), Robyn Verner (Wichita senior), and Julie Soroko (Topeka junior).

The entire production team is composed of students. Cassie K. Hoppas (Erie senior) is the costume and makeup designer. Eric Luchen (Overland Park senior), T.J. Erickson (Olathe junior), Drew Donahoo (Overland Park senior) and Ben Williams (Elbing junior) round out the production staff.

Tickets for Nickel and Dimed and The Woman in Black are available from the ESU Box Office in the lower level of the Memorial Union or by calling 341-6378.

 

Last Updated February 18, 2008>