Arkansas Tech University Theatre will explore the topic of race with performances of a student-written play entitled “All the White Reasons” Nov. 8-10.
The showings are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 8, Friday, Nov. 9, and Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Techionery Theatre, 1502 N. El Paso Ave. in Russellville. Admission will be $5 per person. Tickets will be available at the Techionery Theatre box office before each performance and will not be sold in advance.
“Some theatre entertains, some theatre enlightens,” said Dr. David J. Eshelman, professor of communication and director of ATU Theatre. “Audiences attending ‘All the White Reasons’ will have the opportunity to witness theatre in its most vital form…as a vehicle for change. At ATU, we strive to equip students with the skills to make their voices heard and potentially to change the world. Those considering attending one of the showings need to know that this production deals with sensitive cultural issues and uses adult language. Viewer discretion is advised.”
The play was written by Skylar Wierman of England, Ark. She submitted it as the thesis for her Master of Liberal Arts degree in communication.
“All the White Reasons” studies the fictionalized circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of an African American man. It is told through the differing lenses of five Caucasian women in a series of monologues.
Summer Dantzler of Conway is serving as director for the production.
Holly Willmon of Bauxite, Chloe Charton of Ola, Chelsea Mattas of Ozark, Ashlin Trahan of Clarksville and Gracie Folks of Harrison are featured performers.
Technical leadership will be provided by Shaylen Davis of Russellville and Jay Jerry Anderson of Little Rock, assistant directors; Cannon Cobb of Pottsville, stage manager/props designer; Faith Spencer of Clarksville, lighting designer/master carpenter; and Caleb Foshe of Farmington and Abraham Zarate of Russellville, assistant stage managers. Zarate is also serving as sound designer.
Scenic design is by Avery Coonts, theatre arts technical supervisor, with assistance from Andrew Egan of Gamaliel. Stephanie Freeman led costume design with assistance from Dr. Ardith Morris. Freeman is also the make-up designer and publicity coordinator for the production.
Freeman is visiting lecturer of communication and theatre at ATU. Morris is professor of communication and theatre.
For more information, contact the ATU Department of Communication and Journalism at (479) 964-0890.
