SHERMAN, TEXAS — The Austin College Communication Studies Department will offer a theatre production of Edward Albee’s “Three Tall Women” Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 27-29, at 7:30 p.m., with an additional Saturday performance at 2 p.m. The presentation will be in Beardsley Arena Theatre of Ida Green Communication Center. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door.
Senior Vanessa Linn of Dallas, Texas, is the director for the project. She summarized the play as the story of “A,” a very old, autocratic and proud woman, who in Act One is living out her days at home with a middle-aged caretaker, “B.” Their routine is interrupted when “C,” a young lawyer’s assistant, comes to settle some of A’s financial affairs. The disruption and A’s deteriorating mind, spur her into telling dramatic and sometimes funny stories from her past.
“Later,” Linn said, “in a surreal twist of A’s mind, A is able to re-experience her memories using B and C as character from her past. These women then portray three stages of A’s life. Through their arguments, diatribes and humor, there emerges a view of the full evolution of the strong and tall woman’s life.”
Averie Bell, Jackie Purdy, and Christine Cunningham, left to right, portray “Three Tall Women” in this weekend’s theatre production at Austin College’s Beardsley Arena Theatre in Ida Green Communication Center. Shows are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with an additional Saturday 2 p.m. performance. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door.
Cast members are senior Christine Cunningham of Lewisville, Texas, as A; senior Jackie Purdy of Allen, Texas, as B; junior Averie Bell of Fritch, Texas, as C; junior C.J. Reed of Irving, Texas, as Boy; and junior Micaela Hoops of Sherman as A’s double.
Stage manager for the production is senior Linsey Betts of Mabank, Texas. Sophomore Katie Marchant of Fort Worth, Texas, is set designer with sophomore Layne Rylander of Dallas as prop master; senior Jessica Antonelli of Galveston, Texas, as costume designer; and sophomore Addison O’Donnell of Dallas as sound designer. Linn, director, also is lighting designer.
Austin College is a leading national independent liberal arts college located 60 miles 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.”
