NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre will present the student-directed "I Never Saw Another Butterfly" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, in the Downstage Theatre on the SFA campus.
Senior Katy Rutherford of Richmond directs the one-act play by Celeste Raspanti. It focuses on the childhood of Raja Englanderova as she fights for survival in a concentration camp. According to Rutherford, the audience and Raja venture through her memories together, digging into the past and meeting extraordinary characters.
"Slowly, Raja gains a sense of identity and begins the fight for self-preservation," she said. "Through Raja's eyes, the audience is given a portrayal of the brutality and beauty mankind is capable of."
The cast includes Palestine junior Greg Albright as the Loudspeaker; Frisco freshman Rani Solomon as Raja Englanderova; Katy senior Lauren Bowler as Irene Synkova; Plano sophomore Cecily Maucieri as Child I; Dallas junior Celeste Galey as Child II; Brenham senior Bianca Stein as Child III; Houston freshman Tevia Dominguez-Loeser as Child IV; and Richmond sophomore Keenan Chiasson as Honza Kosek.
The technical staff includes Pedro Dominguez, McAllen sophomore, scenic designer; T.J. Davis, Beaumont sophomore, costume designer; Daniel Miller, Sugar Land senior, lighting designer; Devin Bruton, Nacogdoches sophomore, sound designer; Caitlin Parker, Groves sophomore, projections; Shelby Gilliland, Frisco junior, props manager; and Eric Gibson, Fairfield senior, hair/makeup designer.
Rutherford is a theatre major with a minor in education. While at SFA, she has directed "Now We're Really Getting Somewhere," "Taming of the Shrew," "English Made Simple" and scenes from "Medea." As an actor, she has appeared in Mainstage productions of "Southern Belle Primer," "Stage Door," "Steel Magnolias" and "Three Sisters." She has performed in the student-directed "W;t," "Miracle at Blaise" and "The Second Beam." She is a member of Alpha Psi Omega and Sigma Phi Lambda and is a representative on the Student Production Advisory Committee. She will serve as assistant director for the upcoming SFA production of the musical "Spamalot" and plans a career as a theatre educator.
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. "I Never Saw Another Butterfly" is recommended for mature audiences (teens or older).
Axe ’Em, Jacks!