Everything Nac

The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre will present the student-directed one-act play “Brainpeople” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, in the Downstage Theatre on the SFA campus.

Written by José Rivera, “Brainpeople” will be directed by Mission senior theatre and radio/TV major Crystal Villarreal. In describing the play’s storyline, Villarreal explains that the aristocratic Mayannah invites two strangers for dinner. She has done this for several years, but her intentions are elusive. The evening takes a dark turn when one of Mayannah’s guests unleashes her cadre of “Brainpeople,” and the meat on the table is more wild and bloody than the strangers could have imagined.

“A thrilling and compelling drama, ‘Brainpeople’ will showcase poisonous personal wars that plague the human psyche,” Villarreal said.

The cast includes Malena Gordo, Buenos Aires, Argentina, junior, as Mayannah; Marley Graham, Port Neches sophomore, as Ani; and Molly Dyer, Copperas Cove junior, as Rosemary.

The production team includes Monika Zimmermann, Lafayette, La., sophomore, stage manager; Bridgett Ochoa, Plano senior, scenic designer; Amanda Warren, Nacogdoches junior, costume designer; Troy Carrico, Austin sophomore, lighting designer; Elyse Dishman, Beaumont senior, sound designer; and Thalia Gomez, Houston senior, hair/makeup.

Among Villarreal’s acting credits at SFA are “Stage Door,” “Take Me to the River,” “Women and Wallace” and “The Other Son.” She directed “Saturday Night Newtown” and has been stage manager for several productions. She is a member of Alpha Psi Omega national dramatics honor society.

This play is recommended for mature audiences.

Admission is $3. The Downstage Theatre is located on the first floor of the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Drive. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407.

The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and Children’s Performing Arts Series will present “Jigsaw Jones: The Case of the Class Clown” in two performances on Friday, Oct. 25, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.

Based on James Preller’s best-selling mystery series for young readers, “Jigsaw Jones: The Case of the Class Clown” was adapted by ArtsPower’s Artistic Director Greg Gunning with music by Richard DeRosa and lyrics by Gunning. It’s the story of Athena Lorenzo, who has been slimed, and she does not appreciate the practical joke. It is up to Theodore “Jigsaw” Jones, who claims to be the very first detective in the school, and his friend Mila to investigate the sliming and track down the second grade class clown.

“The production is brimming with music, charm and humor,” said Diane J. Peterson, SFA Fine Arts Box Office manager and CPAS director, “and touches on the topics of friendship, bullying and trust.”

Audiences will laugh as they learn the secret codes that Jigsaw must decipher to solve the mystery.

“Jigsaw Jones” features four professional actors from New York City, an upbeat, Broadway-style musical score and imaginative sets. The show opened in 2009 and has become one of ArtsPower’s most popular productions.

CPAS performances are at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus. Tickets are $6 for individuals and $5 per person for groups of 20 or more. This production targets children in first through fourth grades.

Visit the CPAS website at www.cpas.sfasu.edu or call the Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 for more information.