Dr. Ken Untiedt, Stephen F. Austin State University Department of English professor and interim chair, will debut his new play, “What We Need,” in November at the Lamp-Lite Theatre.
According to Untiedt, the play focuses on Alex Jones, an ordinary man who is feeling a bit lost in life when the audience first meets him.
“By chance, Alex forms an unlikely friendship with Walter, a World War II veteran he meets at the grocery store. As he learns more about Walter and the challenges he overcame throughout his life, Alex gains an appreciation for the opportunities before him,” said Untiedt. “Throughout the action, Alex discovers there are many other interesting people all around him, and he finally allows himself the courage get to know them — and to truly know himself in the process.”
“What We Need” is a combination of characters and conversations Untiedt has had through the years, from a conversation with a former military pilot he met in a grocery store to close family members and others. Untiedt incorporated these various scenarios to create the play.
“I wrote lots of notes on slips of paper, then they all come together in several weeks when I sat down to put the scenes together,” Untiedt said.
This is Untiedt’s second play to write and debut at the Lamp-Lite Theatre. He played a minor role in last year’s play, “Yes, We Deliver.” This year, Untiedt has stepped more into the spotlight to play the role of Alex.
The play will run at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1, 2, 8 and 9, and at 2 p.m. Nov. 3 and 10. A special audience dress rehearsal will be held at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31. Tickets are $5 for the audience dress rehearsal. Regular admission is $8 for students, $12 for seniors and $15 for adults. The Lamp-Lite Theatre is located at Loop 224 and Old Tyler Road in Nacogdoches.
For more information, visit the theatre’s website at lamplitetheatre.com.
By Emily Brown, marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.
