NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre will present the student-directed "The Man Who Turned Into a Stick" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, in the Downstage Theatre on the SFA campus.
Senior Michael Spencer of Colleyville directs Kobo Abe's one-act play that contemplates life and demands audience participation to consider its meaning on a personal level.
"On a hot day in front of a store, two delinquents waste away on the curb," Spencer said in describing the play's synopsis. "Suddenly, a stick falls from the sky. From the shadows enter Man and Woman From Hell, who fight for control of the stick. The stick jumps in the boy's hand. The boy and girl leave. When the smoke clears, Woman From Hell is taught a hard lesson, and the audience is taught an even harder one."
The cast includes Grand Prairie junior Chipper Morris as Boy; Leander freshman Kayla "Kindie" Peterson as Girl; Beaumont freshman Erik Freels-Vargas as Man From Hell; The Woodlands senior Ashe Vernon as Woman From Hell; and Lufkin freshman Jacob Carr as Man Who Turned Into a Stick.
The production staff includes M.J. Myer, Houston senior, as stage manager; Victoria Stoner, Odessa junior, scenic designer; Brianna Veselka, West senior, costume designer; Troy Carrico, Austin junior, lighting designer; Nicole Novit, Dallas senior, sound designer; and Lincoln Smith, Venus junior, make-up designer.
Focusing on acting and directing, Spencer has appeared in "Blood Wedding," "WASP" and "W;t." He has performed in a number of community shows in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Tickets are $4. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu. "The Man Who Turned Into a Stick" is recommended for mature audiences (teens or older).
Axe ’Em, Jacks!