Fall Theatre Production Opens Wednesday

Arkansas Tech University Theatre will present four performances of the late 19th century drama “Miss Julie” at the Techionery Theatre this week.

Showings will begin at 8 p.m. nightly from Wednesday, Oct. 26, through Saturday, Oct. 29. Tickets are $8 for general admission and $5 for students. They will be available at the door and will not be sold in advance.

Jenava Harris, technical arts supervisor for Arkansas Tech Theatre and student in the university’s Master of Liberal Arts degree program, is directing the production and designing its scenery.

Harris described “Miss Julie” as a “story of three people who are seeking to eradicate the oppression that they face in their lives, with some violent consequences.”

Cast members include Shaylen Davis of Clarksville, Jaylissa Hampton of Little Rock, Taylor Paulk of Little Rock, Diana Morris of London, JaMarcus Walker of Lufkin, Texas, and Holly Willmon of Bauxite.

Paulk, Morris and Willmon will perform on the first and third nights of the production, while Davis, Hampton and Walker will take the stage on the second and fourth nights.

“By having two casts, the theatre program is able to give more opportunities to students,” said Anthony Caton, head of the Arkansas Tech Department of Communication and Journalism. “It also enables audience members to go on two separate nights for two separate experiences.”

Jacob Singleton of Gravette and Glen Poole of Fort Smith are serving as student assistant directors for the production. Carson Hawkins of Clarksville (stage manager), Sawyer Rentfro of Russellville (technical director), Christina Williams of Cabot (costume design), Robert Warner of Little Rock (lighting design) and Steffany Rhame of Farmington (sound design) are also providing leadership for “Miss Julie.”

“I am very glad to have Ms. Harris directing this important play,” said Dr. David J. Eshelman, associate professor of communication and director of Arkansas Tech Theatre. “It includes challenging roles that will help our students become better performers.”

Contact the Arkansas Tech Department of Communication and Journalism at (479) 964-0890 for more information.