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A-State Theatre Announces Cast for 'The Trojan Women'

11/06/2015

JONESBORO – Arkansas State University Theatre is announcing the cast and crew for the November production of "The Trojan Women," adapted by Ellen McLaughlin from the drama by Euripides.

A-State Theatre’s production of "The Trojan Women" is under the stage direction of Lisa Bohn, assistant professor of theatre.

"The Trojan Women" will be performed at Fowler Center Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13-14, and Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 16-18, at 7:30 p.m.

A “meet the company” dessert reception will follow the opening night performance on Nov. 13.

"In the wake of their devastating defeat, the women of Troy, all now widows, wait on the beach below the ravaged city to be claimed by their Greek conquerors as slaves and concubines.  Though the war is over, exile and degradation lie ahead and the fates of these women, including Queen Hecuba, her daughter Cassandra, Helen, the face that launched a thousand ships, and her daughter-in-law Andromache, widow of the great Hector, are still in the balance," according to the play synopsis.

The cast includes Davis Polston, a sophomore theatre major from Searcy, as Voice of Poseidon, Molly Simpson,  professor of theatre from Jonesboro (appears courtesy of Actors' Equity Association) as Hecuba, Jaelyn Epps, a senior theatre major from Little Rock, as Helen,  Alyssa Burleson, a sophomore theatre major from North Little Rock, as Cassandra, Virginia Hirsch, a senior theatre major from Cabot, as Andromache, Luke Guntharp, a junior theatre major from Jonesboro, as Talthybius, and Morgan Carvell, a senior theatre major from Bentonville, as Koryphaios in the Chorus.

Brooke Thomas, a senior theatre major from Jonesboro, Emma Watkins, a sophomore theatre major from Jonesboro, Kassidy Ratz, a freshman psychology major from Beebe, and Emily Tucker, a senior theatre major from Jonesboro, complete the Chorus.  The Soldiers are Jackson Wu, a junior theatre major from New Taipei, Taiwan, Davis Campbell, a freshman theatre major from Batesville, Justin Almager, a junior theatre major from El Dorado, and Josh Donner, a senior theatre major from Mountain Home.

In addition to serving as director, Bohn also be the sound designer and composer. Jeremy Smith, a senior theatre major from Dumas, will serve as assistant director.  Scenic designer and technical director will be Jeff McLaughlin, assistant professor of theatre. Lighting designer will be Erin Davis, a senior theatre major from Jacksonville.  Claire Abernathy, assistant professor of theatre, will serve as costume designer.

Betsy Hegger, a senior theatre major from St. Louis, will serve as assistant costume designer.  Tyler Gillespie, a junior theatre major from Dumas, will serve as properties master. Vanessa Williams, a senior theatre major from Little Rock, will serve as charge scenic artist.  Luis Chavez, a senior theatre major from Jonesboro, will serve as wardrobe crew head.  Sound board operator will be Paul Coulter, a senior theatre major from Cordova, Tenn. Light board operator will be Eli Webb, a freshman theatre major from Jonesboro. 

Mallory Donaldson, a freshman from Benton, and Renisha Parker, a sophomore theatre major from Van Buren, are serving as the wardrobe crew.  William Key, a senior theatre major from Cabot, will serve as the backstage crew.  Gabe Looney, a freshman theatre major from Jonesboro, will serve as assistant stage manager.  Stage management duties for the production have been assigned to Ashley Pratt, a senior theatre major from El Dorado.

Tickets may be purchased in advance for reserved seating at the Central Box Office in the Convocation Center or by calling 972-ASU1.  Tickets are also available online at tickets.astate.edu.  Reserved seating tickets (if available) may be purchased at the door on the evening of the performance.  Ticket prices are $10 at the door, $8 in advance.  Advanced reservations are highly recommended.

Children under six years old are not admitted to The A-State Theatre.  Theatre patrons are asked to arrive early; latecomers will not be seated until intermission.

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