Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre and Dance will present the student-directed “30 Neo-Futurist Plays from Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind (30 Plays in 60 Minutes)" by Greg Allen at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, in Regents Suite A in the Baker Pattillo Student Center on the SFA campus.
Directed by Connor Molen, junior theatre major from Denton, the production features 10 actors presenting 30 plays in 60 minutes. “Ten actors, 30 plays and one audience … at a time,” Molen writes to summarize the endeavor. “Time is of the essence in Greg Allen’s ‘30 Neo-Futurist Plays from Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind.’ The Neo-Futurist work explores Surrealism, Dada, Boal, Brecht and a variety of other theatrical styles in one hour or less. The interactive performance puts the audience in charge, and no two shows are the same. Join the ensemble as they explore the ‘right here, right now’ on stage.”
Performers do not have named character tracks and are credited by the actor’s name. Due to the nature of “Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind,” the plays are performed in a different order each night. However, performances will consistently begin with words from Dallas junior Mariano Aguirre and Houston senior Maggie Jordan. Other cast members are Beth Powell, Baytown junior; Leiah McCasland Downey, Wills Point junior; Whitney Posey, Hawkins junior; Evan Hamilton, Houston sophomore; Aria Bethea, Rockwall freshman; Xavier Sanchez, Houston freshman; Erik Colbert, Houston freshman; and Karolyn Panfil, Katy freshman.
The crew includes Winnie senior Andria Clement as stage manager; Stephenville senior Kyla Carter, scenic and props designer; Spring junior Jillian Helberg, costume designer; Wylie senior Natalie Elderbroom, lighting designer; Wylie junior Josiah Richardson, sound designer; and Gonzales senior Theo Moers, intimacy director.
Additionally, SFA music student Ethan Sizelove, League City senior, has composed an original overture for the production. He will serve as music director for a trio, in which he will also perform on guitar; along with Aidan LaGraff, Nacogdoches junior, violin; and John Alan Jasso Velez, Freeport graduate student, cello.
Molen is a B.F.A. candidate with acting/directing focus. During his time at SFA, he has performed on the Mainstage in “Ride Share/Overshare,” “The Maids,” “Ajax in Iraq” and “The Taming of the Shrew.” He is a member of and an officer in Alpha Psi Omega national theatre honor society and president of Speak Up: Devised Theatre. He has directed a studio hour and was assistant director for “Women Who Weave.” Molen was assistant director for “The Moors” and costume designer for “The Yellow Boat.”
Tickets are $4. To purchase tickets, visit the SFA Fine Arts Box Office online at boxoffice.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407. Available tickets may be purchased at the door. For more information about the play, call the School of Theatre and Dance at (936) 468-4003 or visit sfasu.edu/theatre-dance. This production is recommended for mature audiences. Faculty production advisor is Dr. Inga Meier.