Contact: Sammy McDavid
Two events this month will conclude the 2002-03 theatrical season of Mississippi State University's communication department.
General admission for both is $10; $5 for MSU students and employees, as well as senior citizens and children.
On April 10-12, "It's Only a Play," will be staged at 7:30 p.m. in the McComas Hall main stage theater. A Terrence McNally creation that enjoyed great success at New York's Manhattan Theater, the comedy is a send-up of the show business profession and its often bizarre practitioners.
On the 24th-26th, the department is sponsoring Student Showcase 2003, a festival of student-directed--and many, student-written--one-act plays. The 10 productions begin at 7 p.m. in the McComas laboratory theater, which most easily is accessed from the building's eastside ground-level entrance.
The nine locally composed works include: "Valley of the Gull," "I'm Ded Aren't I?," "Emotions," "A Work in Progress," "Inception," "Living on Paper," "A Shepherd & a Friend," "Not Even the Rain," and "Me & My Porch." Also on the bill is "The Proposal" by Russian dramatist Anton Chekhov (1860-1904).
Students involved in the April performances include (by hometown):
ACKERMAN--Audrey R. Gammill, a sophomore communication/theater major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Gammill. She is an assistant director of "It's Only a Play."
AMITE, La.--Matthew C. "Matt" Webb, a junior communication major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Webb. In addition to writing "A Work in Progress" and directing Chekhov's "The Proposal," he will portray "Ira Drew" in "It's Only a Play."
CALEDONIA--Brandon T. Morris, a sophomore English and communication/theater double major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Morris. He is an assistant director of "It's Only a Play."
GREENWOOD--Leontra M. Mayes, a junior speech education major and the daughter of Melinda Mayes. She will direct "Inception."
HAMMOND, La.--Thomas G. "Gabe" Smith, a junior communication/theater major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Smith. In addition to portraying "Peter Austin" in "It's Only a Play," he wrote "Living on Paper."
JACKSON--Regina A. Lattimore, a junior psychology major and the daughter of Regina Jackson, who will direct "Not Even the Rain" and serve as a stage manager for "It's Only a Play"; and Vaughan Shearer, a junior communication/broadcasting major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Shearer, who will portray "Julia Budder" in "It's Only a Play."
KOSCIUSKO--Melissa J. Fenwick, a senior communication/theater major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Fenwick. In addition to portraying "Virginia Noyles" in "It's Only a Play," she wrote "Not Even the Pain."
LAUREL--Brittany L. Ward, a communication/public relations major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Ward, who will serve as a stage manager for "It's Only a Play."
MANDEVILLE, La.--Christopher M. "Chris" Tyer, a senior communication/theater major and the son of Lynn Tyer and Cheryl Palmer. He portrays "Gus P. Head" in "It's Only a Play."
MONTGOMERY, Ala.--Holly E. Ashcom, a senior interdisciplinary studies/human science and communication major and the daughter of Lauree Ashcom [115 Bradley, 36109]. She portrays "Emma" in "It's Only a Play."
MOOREVILLE--Deanna D. Dye, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G Dye and a senior English education and communication/theater double major. She wrote "Valley of the Gull."
MOSS POINT--Kendrick C. Vivians, a senior communication/broadcasting major and the son of Alice Williams. He wrote "Me & My Porch" and will direct "I'm Ded Aren't I?"
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo.--Kristen N. Hall, a senior communication major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Hall. She is assistant director of "It's Only a Play" and director of "Emotions."
RAYMOND--Michelle R. "Princess" Turner, a senior communication/public relations major and the daughter of Genevia Turner. She will direct "Valley of the Gull."
RIDGELAND--Samuel C. "Sam" Hamburg, a senior communication major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Hamburg. He wrote "I'm Ded Aren't I?" and will direct "A Work in Progress."
SOUTHAVEN--James R. Eison, a senior communication/theater major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Eison. In addition to portraying "James Wicker" in "It's Only a Play," he wrote "Emotions."
STARKVILLE--Jon O. Noble, a graduate student in secondary education who will direct "Living on Paper." [Parents not listed]
SUNFLOWER--Claude T. McKinney, a senior communication/broadcasting major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne McKinney. He will direct "A Shepherd & a Friend."
TERRY--James A. Comans, a junior communication major who will portray "Frank Finger" in "It's Only a Play." He is the son of Author Comans of Madison and Sharon Webber of Jackson.
TUPELO--Lindsay C. Brett, a senior general liberal arts major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Brett. She wrote "A Shepherd & a Friend."
VANCOUVER, Wash.--Madeline R. Siggins, a senior communication major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Siggins. She wrote "Inceptions."
WEIR--Javores Y. McKinney, a senior communication/theater major who will direct "Me & My Porch." [Parents not listed]
For complete information on the productions, contact Kelli Anthony at (662) 325-7842 or kanthony@comm.msstate.edu.