Everything Nac

Stephen F. Austin State University’s dance program will livestream senior choreographic works during its production of “Danceworks: The Effect” at 7 p.m. Nov. 12-13 and 3 p.m. Nov. 14.

Unlike past years, only the performers’ immediate family members may attend the concerts in person in the HPE Complex, Room 201, because of COVID-19 guidelines.

Students, faculty and staff, and the public can watch online by making a donation in any amount at sfasu.edu/danceworks. Donors will receive an email the week of the performances containing the livestream link.

“Normally, the revenue we generate from ticket sales funds the next Danceworks performance,” said Heather Samuelson, dance program co-coordinator and assistant professor in SFA’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Science. “Because in-person attendance is greatly limited this year, we’re asking the public to help us support the future growth and success of these students.”

Danceworks serves as the capstone course for dance seniors and features tap, jazz, and modern and contemporary dance. Ten choreographic works will be performed.

“The production teaches students a variety of skills other than choreography,” Samuelson said. “Students learn how to cast a show, promote a performance, design lighting, select costumes and edit music.”

For more information, email Samuelson at samuelsoh@sfasu.edu.

The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre will present the student-directed one-act play “The Bald Soprano” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, in Regents Suite A in the Baker Pattillo Student Center on the SFA campus. The show will also be livestreamed.

Directed by Sulphur Springs senior Kaitlyn McDearmont, “The Bald Soprano” is an absurdist play written by Eugène Ionesco. The storyline follows a proper English couple, the Smiths, who are sharing an evening with the Martins. The play was inspired by Ionesco’s attempt to learn English, and the dialogue is a parody of the kinds of conversations and take place in foreign-language instruction. The couples, eventually joined by the Fire Chief and his lover, who is also the Smiths’ maid, tell stories about their lives.

The cast includes San Antonio freshman Hannah Marfin as Mrs. Smith; Ferris senior Cameron Ralston as Mr. Smith; Mount Enterprise sophomore Mikayla Whitlow as Mary; Houston junior Johana Lenington as Mrs. Martin; Center sophomore Keaton Watlington as Mr. Martin; and Red Oak senior Sedona McDonald as Fire Chief.

Stage manager is Valeria De La Cruz, Zacatecas, Mexico, senior; scenic designer is Jenna Alley, Kingwood junior; costume designer is Cairo Pratt, Scurry junior; lighting designer is CaitLyne Martin, Brownsboro junior; and sound designer is Carson Cook, McKinney junior.

McDearmont is a theatre education major. As an SFA student, she lists her favorite shows with which she has been affiliated as “The Wolves,” in which she acted as assistant director; “Dancing at Lughnasa,” for which she was props master; and “Crimes of the Heart,” in which she acted in the role of Babe.

Faculty production advisor for “The Bald Soprano” is Rick Jones.

Tickets are $4. To purchase tickets or virtual access, visit the SFA Fine Arts Box Office online at boxoffice.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407. Box office sales end at 4 p.m. on Oct. 30. For more information about the play, call the School of Theatre at (936) 468-4003 or visit theatre.sfasu.edu.