Original works written and directed by Rogers State University students and faculty will be presented during RSU Theatre Program’s production of “Original Recipe” on Sept. 19-21, 25-26.
Performances will be held at 7:07 p.m. each night during the run at the Baird Hall Performance Studio on the Claremore campus. The show also will be performed as part of RSU’s Art on the Hill art show and sale at 4 p.m. both Sept. 20 and 21.
“Original Recipe” features five 10-minute original plays that include four written by students and one from Dr. David Blakely, associate professor of communications and director of the RSU Theatre Program.
This marks the seventh year that RSU Theatre has presented student plays under the “Original Recipe” banner. RSU Theatre places emphasis on performing new or original works, and the “Original Recipe” is an extension of that philosophy. RSU is one of the few theatre programs in the nation that place such a premium on performing original plays, especially those by student writers, Blakely said.
The plays to be performed during the event are:
- “Nowhere and Never,” written by Jill Summers, a senior from Claremore. Performing in this meta-comedy about a man and woman at the end of the world are Jason Hyman, a freshman from Keifer; Jericho Billings, a sophomore from Yukon; and Kellsie Davis, a freshman from Tulsa. Directed by Andrew Nichols, a senior from Bartlesville.
- “Catching Up,” written by Garrett Powders, a senior from Tulsa, focuses on the complexities of a relationship where the two parties may have different expectations. Actors include Keenan Mackey, a freshman from Cushing; Rachel Smith, a freshman from Rowlett, Texas; and Zach Amon, a freshman from Cushing. Directed by Josh Gammon, a senior from Broken Arrow with Hayley Gipson, a freshman from Collinsville, as assistant director.
- “Inner Turmoil,” written by Gammon, examines a playwright having issues while completing his work. The comedy features Arick Matts, a freshman from Stillwater; Hanna Barnoski, a sophomore from Claremore; and Cody Carroll, a sophomore from Claremore. Directed by Matt McCann, a senior from Miami.
- “Lesson Four: The Blackout Sketch,” written by Blakely, centers around the execution of a sketch comedy convention, known as the blackout sketch. Performances by Kessiah Neff, a sophomore from Claremore; Tyler Newby, a freshman from Pryor; Sharleen Branch, a sophomore from Bartlesville; Elisha “Bubba” Enlow, a freshman from Jay; and Jaina Lee, a sophomore from Morris.
- “Old Dummy,” written by Grimes, tells the story of mannequins come to life during a major remodel of a long-standing clothing store. Performance are Michaela Cox, a freshman from Stillwell; Jeremy Gilmore, a freshman from Mannford; Galen Pike, a sophomore from Rushville, Ill.; Jessica Penrose, a freshman from Claremore; and Jared Warren, a senior from Tulsa. Directed by Morgan Baker, a freshman from Mounds.
Admission for regular performances is $10 for adults, $6 for seniors and $2 for RSU faculty, staff and students who present university ID. All proceeds will benefit student participation in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival regional competition.
There will be free admission for the 4 p.m. showings on Sept. 20 and 21 as part of Art on the Hill.
Seating is limited to 99 for each performance, so reservations with the theatre department box office are strongly recommended for all performances. Also, some of the plays contain adult themes with strong language.
Other productions scheduled this season are: “The Lion in Winter,” November 14-16 and 21-23 at the Will Rogers Auditorium; “Love Locked, Two One-Act Plays About Love,” February 12-13, 2014 at the Baird Hall Performance Studio and February 14-15, 2014 at the Bartlesville Community Center, 300 SE Adams Blvd.; and “Speech and Debate,” April 10-12 and 17-19, 2014 at the Will Rogers Auditorium.
For more information, call the RSU Theatre box office at 918-343-6882 or visit the RSU Theatre website.