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Theatre announces cast for 'The Miss Firecracker Contest'

02/17/2016

JONESBORO – Arkansas State University Theatre announces the cast and crew for the upcoming production of "The Miss Firecracker Contest," by Beth Henley.

"The Miss Firecracker Contest" will be staged Friday and Saturday, Feb. 26-27, and Monday through Wednesday, Feb. 29-March 2, at 7:30 p.m. at Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Dr.  A meet-the-company dessert reception will follow the Feb. 26 opening night performance.

According to a synopsis of the play, Carnelle Scott is rehearsing furiously for the local Fourth of July pageant, the Miss Firecracker Contest, in the small town of Brookhaven, Miss.  The unexpected arrival of her cousins Elain and Delmount complicates matters a bit, as does the repeated threat of Delmount to sell the family home and decamp for New Orleans.  Aided by a touchingly awkward seamstress named Popeye and several other cheerfully nutty characters, Carnelle perseveres.

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

The cast includes Brooke Thomas of Jonesboro, a senior theatre major, as Carnelle, Natalie Norwood of Benton, a freshman, as Popeye, Morgan Carvell of Bentonville, a senior theatre major, as Elain, Josh Donner of Mountain Home, a senior theatre major, as Delmount, Logan Powell of Cherokee Village, a freshman theatre major, as Mac Sam, and Kassidy Ratz of Beebe, a freshman psychology major, as Tessy.

Davis Polston, a junior theatre major from Searcy, will serve as assistant director.  Lighting design and technical director will be Jeff McLaughlin, assistant professor of theatre. Assistant lighting designer and light board operator will be Renisha Parker, a sophomore theatre major from Van Buren. 

Ashley Pratt, a senior theatre major from El Dorado, will serve as sound designer.  Jeremy Smith, a senior theatre major from Dumas, will serve as scenic designer. Claire Abernathy, assistant professor of theatre, will serve as costume designer.  Betsy Hegger, a senior theatre major from St. Louis, will serve as hair and makeup designer. 

Tyler Gillespie, a senior theatre major from Dumas, will serve as properties master. Vanessa Williams, a senior theatre major from Little Rock will serve as charge scenic artist.  Justin Almager, a senior theatre major from El Dorado, will serve as wardrobe crew head.  Sound board operator will be Jacob George, a senior theatre major from El Dorado.

Mike Reagan, a sophomore theatre minor from Paragould, and Jaelyn Epps, a senior theatre major from Little Rock, are serving as the wardrobe crew.  Davis Campbell, a freshman theatre major from Batesville, will serve as the backstage crew. House manager will be Emma Watkins, a sophomore theatre major from Jonesboro. Hannah Cummings, a junior theatre major from Batesville, will serve as assistant stage manager. 

Stage management duties for the production have been assigned to Alyssa Burleson, a sophomore theatre major from North Little Rock.

Tickets for reserved seating may be purchased in advance 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, or $8 if purchased in advance. 

Reservations are highly recommended.  Children under six years old are not admitted.  Patrons are encouraged to arrive early because latecomers will not be seated until intermission.

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