Austin College theater students produce three one-act plays

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School News
Austin College theater students produce three one-act plays
By Austin College
Nov 27, 2009

SHERMAN, TEXAS — The Austin College theatre program presented “An Evening of One-Act Plays” at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 20, and Saturday, November 21, in Ida Green Theatre of Ida Green Communication Center.

Three plays were offered, each directed by an Austin College student from the fall term directing class taught by Kathleen Campbell, professor of communication studies. The plays covered the comedy of language, the airing of grievances, and returning to old connections.

Performances included The Universal Language, written by David Ives and directed by senior Addison O’Donnell of Dallas, Texas; The Laundromat, written by Marsha Norman and directed by junior Jeff Ridenour of Denison, Texas; and The Great Nebula in Orion, written by Lanford Wilson and directed by junior Matt Varvir of Carrollton, Texas.

Cast members for The Universal Language included senior Jenna Hotz of Sachse, Texas, as Dawn and freshman Harris Tooley of Sherman, Texas, as Don. Freshman Matt Ervin of Austin, Texas, had a small role. Alberta and Deedee in The Laundromat was played by junior Lindsey St. Clair of Athens, Texas, and senior Liz Webb of Olathe, Kansas, respectively. Freshman Emma Merlo of Belton, Texas, played Louise in The Great Nebula in Orion, and sophomore Hilary Gregory-Allen of Sherman, Texas, played Carrie.

Technical director Andy Williams led a student staff that included junior Kaitlin Ellege of Fort Worth, Texas, as stage manager; senior Peyton Morris of San Antonio, Texas, as lighting operator; sophomore Anneliese Carter of Arlington, Texas, as sound operator; and freshmen M.C. Ingram of Southlake, Texas, and Matt Ervin of Austin, Texas, as stage crew.

The participating students are listed by hometown, followed by the high school from which they graduated, their parents’ names, and the role which they are filling for the One Act Plays.

Arlington, Texas

Anneliese Carter, Lamar High School, daughter of Lisa and Wally Carter, Sound Operator;

Athens, Texas

Lindsey St. Clair, Athens Sr. High School, daughter of Barry and Gail St. Clair, Alberta in The Laundromat;

Austin, Texas

Matthew Ervin, L C Anderson High School, son of Bill and Paula Ervin, Stage Crew;

Belton, Texas

Emma Merlo, Harker Heights High School, daughter of Joseph and Barbara Merlo, Louise in The Great Nebula in Orion;

Carrollton, Texas

Matthew L. Varvir, R.L. Turner High School, son of Mark and Lee Ann Varvir, Director of The Great Nebula in Orion;

Dallas, Texas

Addison O'Donnell, Bishop Lynch High School, son of Colleen O'Donnell, Director of The Universal Language;

Denison, Texas

Jeff Ridenour, Denison Senior High School, son of Billy and Lana Ridenour, Director of The Laundromat;

Fort Worth, Texas

Kaitlin Elledge, Fort Worth Country Day School, daughter of Mark and Patti Elledge, Stage Manager;

Olathe, Kansas

Liz Webb, Olathe East High School, daughter of Daniel and Laura Webb, Deedee in The Laundromat;

Sachse, Texas

Jenna Hotz, Home School Graduate, daughter of Ed and Sandy Hotz, Dawn in The Universal Langauge;

San Antonio, Texas

Peyton Morris, International School of the Americas, daughter of Paul and Melinda Villagram, Lighting Operator;

Sherman, Texas

Hilary Gregory-Allen, Sherman High School, daughter of Victoria Reeder and Roger Gregory-Allen, Carrie in The Great Nebula in Orion,

Harris Tooley, Home School Graduate, son of Hunt and Karen Tooley, Don in The Universal Langugae;

Southlake, Texas

Mary Caroline Ingram, Carroll Senior High School, daughter of Tracy Ingram and Andy Ingram, Stage Crew.

Austin College is a leading national independent liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas. Founded in 1849, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original charter and name, the college is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Recognized nationally for academic excellence in the areas of international education, pre-professional training, and leadership studies, Austin College is one of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges that Change Lives.