Southwest Baptist University News
Release
Contacts:
Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications
(417)
328-1803 / cmarsch@sbuniv.edu
Dr. Elissa
Sartwell, SBU Theatre Director
(417)
328-1688
Note to media: A media preview performance is at 8 p.m. Monday, April 29, in Davis-Newport Theatre. This is after
the Barnett-Padgett Literary Artist Series meeting with Christian author Robin
Jones Gunn, which begins at 6 p.m. in the same location.
SBU
Theatre's spring play offers a new take on life, death and all the stories in between
BOLIVAR, Mo. — If
you read yourself to death, would he be impressed? SBU alumnus Zachary McCoy
addresses this question in his quirky new play, “Down the Ladder,” which will receive its world premiere May 2-4 at
the Davis-Newport Theatre on Southwest Baptist University’s Bolivar campus. The
production will be staged by SBU Theatre faculty and students.
“We
selected Zach’s play to be a part of our theatre season because we fell in love
with the metaphor that he has brought to life on the stage,” said Associate
Professor of Theatre Dr. Elissa Sartwell, director of the production. “We
literally see a man read himself to death, and his choices have implications on
the stories of the other characters, as well. It’s a comedy, a romance, a
poetic drama and a Greek tragedy, mixed with a quirkiness that is all Zach’s.”
McCoy
stated that “even in something as fantastical and allegorical as ‘Down the
Ladder,’ the themes are incredibly personal, and those personal elements create
the strength of the story.”
Freshman
Amelia Hicks portrays a dead woman in the production. Hicks maintains that
although the play addresses heavy issues, it does so in a way that is filled
with laughter and comedy.
“This
play teaches you about life, love, and death, in a way that makes you
reconsider what it means to live forever,” Hicks said.
The
SBU Theatre performers are thrilled to be the first actors ever to embody these
particular roles.
“It
is an honor to be the first to breathe life into this role,” said Roger Abbott,
an SBU employee who portrays the Old Man in the story.
McCoy,
a 2012 graduate of the university (B.A. English), has been on campus since
February as an Artist-in-Residence. His presence in the rehearsal process has
been a positive one.
“I’ve
enjoyed watching the director and the actors create their own visions and
interpretations of the story and its characters,” McCoy said. “The rehearsal
process has increased my understanding and appreciation for playwriting and
storytelling.
The
production features a set and lights designed by Jonathan Wehmeyer, Instructor
of Theatre, and costumes designed by Sartwell.
In
addition to Hicks and Abbott, the cast includes four seniors: Jeff Young as
Death, Samantha Phinney as Life, Lauren Schriver as the Young Woman and Jacob
Carver as the Young Man. Freshman Hannah Rogg and sophomore Alexandra Phillips
complete the chorus of dead women.
Performances
are at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 2, through Saturday, May 4. Ticket prices are as $5
for adults; $3 for SBU alumni, senior citizens and students of other schools;
$2 for SBU students; and complimentary for SBU faculty and staff. For more information, call 328-1691 or visit
www.sbuniv.edu/theatre.
###
Southwest
Baptist University is a leader among private universities in truly integrating
Christ-centered academic pursuits with comprehensive professional programs at
an affordable price. At SBU, the faculty and staff create a caring, academic
community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. For
more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.
