The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre will present the student-directed comic play “The Actor’s Nightmare” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, in Regents Suite A in the Baker Pattillo Student Center on the SFA campus.
Directed by Caitlyn Kirchman, Nacogdoches senior, “The Actor’s Nightmare” is written by Christopher Durang and is about a man who is mistaken for an understudy in a play, and when forced to perform, he doesn’t know any of his lines.
“Have you ever had a dream where you were forced onto a stage to perform a show you didn’t know the lines to?” Kirchman asked. “Durang’s ‘The Actor’s Nightmare’ brings that dream to life through George Spelvin, who is forced to perform multiple plays in front of a live audience after the previous actor broke both of his legs. However, it may be more than just a nightmare.”
The cast includes Dallas sophomore Sami Hurley as George; Houston senior Gabrielle Rincon as Meg; Bournemouth, England, senior Beth Cowan as Sarah; Keller freshman Zoie Dorn as Ellen; and Katy freshman Kaleb Calton as Henry.
Crew includes Ashley Johnson, Richardson junior, as stage manager, and Lynna Levin, Richmond senior, as costume designer.
Kirchman is a senior majoring in theatre education. She describes herself as “passionate” about directing and excited to share what she and her team have created. She has been involved with theatre since second grade when she attended theatre Professor CC Conn’s Junior Jacks theatre program at SFA. She continued to pursue theatre in middle school and high school.
“After my first experience directing in high school, I knew it was something I wanted to continue doing,” she said. “I had a full-circle moment this past summer when I got to direct the show ‘Aesop’s Clinic’ at Junior Jacks, the place where my passions began.”
Faculty production advisor for “The Actor’s Nightmare” is Slade Billew. The play is recommended for mature audiences.
Tickets are $4. To purchase tickets, visit the SFA Fine Arts Box Office online at boxoffice.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407. Box office and online sales end at 4 p.m. on Oct. 22. Available tickets may be purchased at the door. For more information about the play, call the School of Theatre at (936) 468-4003 or visit theatre.sfasu.edu.
