Everything Nac

The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre will present a student production of Jessica Goldberg’s “Refuge” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2. All performances are in the Downstage Theatre, located on the first floor of the Griffith Fine Arts Building on the SFA campus.

Wylie senior Brian Butler will direct the one-act play, which Butler describes as a “darkly funny and touching story of four people searching for their refuge, or shelter, to guard them from the hard reality of life.”

According to Butler, the character Amy, forced to be the fill-in mom to her siblings, looks to reclaim her youth by falling into the arms of a stranger. Becca, described as the “candy” kid, looks for stability and guidance but finds solace in drugs and raves. Nat, the mentally challenged brother, looks to find his place in society and begins to find comfort in faith. Sam, the one-night stand drifter, looking for a place to sleep, finds a family instead, Butler explains.

“These characters are each lost and unsure of what’s ahead,” Butler said. “(They’re) seeking a safe place, but uncertain of what safety means. Their only refuge in sight might be the bond they share with each other.”

The play’s cast includes The Woodland’s junior Ashe Vernon as Amy; Austin freshman Troy Carrico as Nat; Sunnyvale senior Mai Lé as Becca; and Magnolia junior Cody M. Davids as Sam.

Rowlett senior Tory Kay Fields will serve as stage manager, and members of the production team include Tony Dibernardo, Mesquite sophomore, scenic designer; Chelsae Sliger, Longview junior, lighting designer; Kenneth Hall, Dallas junior, sound designer; and Eva Munden, Rockwall junior, properties master.

Butler, who also serves as costume designer for the play, is a senior theatre major. At SFA, he has served as assistant costume designer for “Little Shop of Horrors” and “How I Became a Pirate” and as costume designer for “Bright Ideas,” “Love Talker” and “Tunnel of Love.” He worked as costume designer for “Rent” as a student at Collin College. His work can also be seen in the upcoming School of Theatre production of “bobrauchenbergamerica,” for which he will design costumes.

“Refuge” is recommended for mature audiences. Tickets are $3. For tickets or more information, call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.

Director Joe Berlinger’s “Under African Skies” will be presented in a free screening at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, as part of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art’s First Friday Film Series.

The documentary about singer/songwriter Paul Simon’s 2011 journey back to South Africa 25 years after releasing his album “Graceland” will be shown in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.

“The documentary ‘Under African Skies’ commemorates the 25th anniversary of the release of Paul Simon’s brilliant and commercially successful album, ‘Graceland,’” said Richard Orton, chairman of the Friends of the Visual Arts’ First Friday Film committee. “It won a Grammy as best album in 1987. It also caused quite a stir politically in that he broke the cultural boycott against apartheid South Africa by going there to work with South African musicians.

“The film documents the creative process between Simon and the musicians whom he met for the first time and with whom he created the album,” Orton said. “It also contains an ongoing dialogue between Simon and South African activists who opposed his first visit during the boycott.

“Simon’s overall point is that art trumps politics,” Orton said, “not the other way around.”

The film also includes interviews with Simon and musical legends Quincy Jones, Harry Belafonte and Paul McCartney, “who measure the breath of ‘Graceland’s’ musical, political and cultural impact,” according to the website paulsimon.com.

The First Friday Film Series is sponsored in part by the Nacogdoches Junior Forum. The screening of “Under African Skies” is also sponsored in part by the SFA School of Music.

The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St. For more information, call (936) 468-1131.