Everything Nac

The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre will present the student-directed one-act play “The Yellow Boat” by David Saar at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, in Regents Suite A in the Baker Pattillo Student Center on the SFA campus.

Directed by Benjamin McElroy, Frisco senior theatre major, “The Yellow Boat” is based on the true story of David and Sonja Saar’s son, Benjamin, who was born with congenital hemophilia. According to McElroy, Benjamin’s imagination “can make the sound of his parents work into a dance, a piece of paper becomes a world all his own, and the shapes he draws bloom into beautiful stories.” With the rise of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, Benjamin contracts HIV, and friends abandon him and his family. As Benjamin gets worse, a nurse named Joy reminds him of his powerful imagination and artistic abilities. “A joyous celebration of the playwright’s real son’s story, ‘The Yellow Boat’ reminds us that we all can find inspiration even in the worst of experiences,” McElroy said.

The cast features Bethany Boerger, Flower Mound freshman, as Benjamin; Astrid Paola Maldonado, Katy junior, as Joy; Kiya Green, Waxahachie junior, as Mother; Deonate Whaley, Texarkana freshman, as Father; Dylan M. Mosera, Plano freshman, as Eddie; Edna Rodriguez, Dallas freshman, Chorus 1; Jessiana Tores, Dallas freshman, Chorus 2; Zoie Dorn, Keller sophomore, Chorus 3; and Alexis Moore, Cushing freshman, Chorus 4.

The crew includes Euless junior Ariana Cox as stage manager; Arlington sophomore Gabriella Rick, assistant stage manager; Houston junior Thomas Peek, scenic designer; Denton junior Connor Molen, costume designer; Austin senior Juliana Hedges, lighting designer; and Haslet junior Grace Goodman, sound designer. Faculty production advisor is Professor Scott Shattuck.

McElroy will graduate in December with a Bachelor of Arts in theatre and a minor in management. While at SFA he directed “Assault Toast” and acted in “The Taming of the Shrew,” “Our Town” and “Rideshare/Overshare.” He was assistant director for Outcry Youth Theatre’s presentations of “Big Fish” and “The Little Princess.” He is also vice president of “The Fredonia Players,” SFA’s resident Shakespeare troupe.

Tickets are $4. To purchase tickets, visit the SFA Fine Arts Box Office online at boxoffice.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407. 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.

Faculty members of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music will be the featured performers during the annual Pi Kappa Lambda Music Faculty Showcase at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The concert highlights the talents of the diverse School of Music performing faculty, according to Dr. Jamie Weaver, associate professor of music history at SFA and president of Pi Kappa Lambda honors society. Proceeds from the concert fund scholarships for deserving SFA music majors selected by the honors society.

“We look forward to performances by several faculty couples,” Weaver said, “and to hearing a work composed by our own Steve Lias. Also, a performance by The Jazz Doctors is sure to make us feel great.”

This year’s program features performances by vocalists Debbie Berry, soprano; Richard Berry, tenor; Deborah Dalton, soprano; and Nita Hudson, mezzo soprano. Pianists include Kae Hosoda-Ayer, Mary Cooper, Minhae Lee, Ben Morris, Thomas Nixon and Ron Petti. Other featured instrumentalists include Christopher Ayer, clarinet; Jennifer Dalmas, violin; Larry Greer, guitar; Christina Guenther, flute; Samantha Inman, flute; Brad Meyer, percussion; Evgeni Raychev, cello; Deb Scott, trombone; James Vilseck, percussion; Jake Walburn, trumpet; and Gary Wurtz, trumpet. Compositions by Morris and Lias will be performed.

The recital is a joint presentation of the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts and School of Music. Cole Concert Hall is located in the Wright Music Building at 2210 Alumni Drive.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for students. For tickets or more information, visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.