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SFA to present student-directed play 'Picnic on the Battlefield'


NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre will present the student-directed, one-act play "Picnic on the Battlefield" by Fernando Arrabal with English translation by Barbara Wright at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, in the Downstage Theatre on the SFA campus.

Center senior Avery Tindol is the director, and he describes "Picnic on the Battlefield" as "a surrealist, absurdist, dark comedy that tells the story of a soldier in the middle of a war zone who is surprised by an unexpected visit from his parents and an enemy soldier."

The cast includes Mesquite senior Taylor Solice as Zapo; Highlands junior Logan Richard as Monsieur Tepan; Palestine junior Olivia Santone as Madame Tepan; Wichita Falls junior Travis Brasher as Zepo; Los Angeles, California, junior Tyler Canada as First Stretcher Bearer; and Nacogdoches sophomore ToColla Holley as Second Stretcher Bearer.

The production staff includes Hanro Janse van Rensburg, Kempton Park, South Africa, senior, stage manager; Katt Akin, Tyler senior, scenic designer; Danika Pettyjohn, Fort Worth senior, costume designer; Victoria Medrano, Edinburg junior, lighting designer; Lane Davidson, Denton senior, sound designer; Davis Gilmartin, Flower Mound freshman, choreographer; and Gabriel Penaloza-Hernandez, Austin junior, properties master.

Tindol's SFA Mainstage Series acting credits include the roles of Banquo in "Macbeth" and Carthage Kilbride in "By the Bog of Cats." He directed Don Nigro's "Things That Go Bump in the Night." Tindol will play the role of Mr. Antrobus in the upcoming School of Theatre production of Thornton Wilder's "The Skin Of Our Teeth" later this semester.

Slade Billew is the faculty production advisor for "Picnic on the Battlefield."

Tickets are $4. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit theatre.sfasu.edu. The Downstage Theatre is located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Drive.