Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre will present the student-directed full-length play “The Shadow Box” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, in Regents Suite A in the Baker Pattillo Student Center on the SFA campus.
Directed by Houston senior Johana Lenington, “The Shadow Box” is written by Michael Cristofer. Winner of the 1977 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play, “The Shadow Box” is about death and dying and explores the end-of-life experiences for three terminal cancer patients.
“The play follows the patients as they live out their last days with family and friends while they process the reality of their illnesses,” Lenington said.
The cast includes Pearland freshman Evan Hamilton as the interviewer; Houston junior George Villarreal as Joe; Stephenville junior Kyla Carter as Stephen; Pasadena junior Maggie Jordan as Maggie; Carthage freshman Grant Calloway as Brian; Frisco senior Benjamin McElroy as Mark; San Antonio sophomore Hannah Marfin as Beverly; Kingwood freshman Sarah Crumley as Agnes; and Belton freshman Macy Burns as Felicity.
Crew includes Danielle Wooten, Longview junior, as stage manager; Maddie Grace Beam, Tyler senior, assistant director; Juli Flores, Pasadena senior, scenic designer; Caitlin McIntyre, Baytown senior, costume designer; Cynthia Tovar, Houston senior, lighting designer; David Cleghorn, Georgetown junior, sound designer; Brendon Ryan, Cedar Park junior, properties manager; and Grace Baker, Friendswood senior, master electrician and assistant light designer.
Lenington is a theatre education major. She transferred to SFA in the fall of 2019. She has performed in numerous plays at SFA, including as Rose in “Dancing at Lughnasa,” as Chloe in “The Curse of Plenty,” as Miranda in “The Tempest,” and as Mrs. Martin in “The Bald Soprano.” She has directed “A Perfect Match” by Starina Johnson and “Last Chance” by Jackie Rosenfeld.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to direct ‘The Shadow Box,’ and I look forward to more directing opportunities in the future,” she said.
Faculty production advisor for “The Shadow Box” is Rick Jones. The play is recommended for mature audiences.
Tickets are $6 for adults, seniors and youth, and $5 for students. To purchase tickets, visit the SFA Fine Arts Box Office online at boxoffice.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407. Box office and online sales end at 4 p.m. on Sept. 24. Available tickets may be purchased at the door. For more information about the play, call the School of Theatre at (936) 468-4003 or visit theatre.sfasu.edu.