Theatre to Open Wilde Classic, ‘Importance of Being Earnest,’ Oct. 22
JONESBORO – Arkansas State University's Department of Theatre will begin its 2021-2022 season with "The Importance of Being Earnest," by Oscar Wilde.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Oct. 22-23, a 2 p.m. matinee performance Sunday, Oct. 24, and 7:30 pm., Friday and Saturday, Oct. 29-30, Performances will take place in the Drama Theatre, adjacent to the Grand Hall of Fowler Center.
"The Importance of Being Earnest" is described as a trivial comedy for serious people. Audiences will experience a witty and farcical exploration of two friends who share a "pseudonym" in an attempt to avoid their social responsibilities.
The cast includes theatre majors Christian Armstrong of Russellville, Skyla Conger of Haskell, Michael Joseph of Van Buren, Mo.; Trey Moore of Cave City, Emily Provence of Searcy, Madison Stewart of Trumann, and Gavin Wilson of Berryville. The cast also includes Marie B. Kazyak of Manila, who is a theatre minor.
The show is directed by Brianna Larson, assistant professor of theatre and dance. Jeff McLaughlin, associate professor of theatre, serves as the scenic designer and technical director. Assistant professor of theatre Caisa Sanburg serves as the sound and lighting designer. DayDay Robinson, assistant professor of theatre, serves as the dialect coach.
Claire Abernathy, associate professor of theatre, serves as the costume designer with Alli Peavy, a theatre major from Memphis, as the assistant. The properties manager is Paydon Bradley, a theatre major from Trumann.
The stage manager is theatre major Alec Lazarini of Memphis. Theatre majors Allie Jones of Jonesboro, and Kaito Ito of Tokyo, Japan, serve as the assistant stage managers.
The soundboard operator is theatre major Kori Denison of Batesville. The light board operator is theatre major Kylah Hood of Jonesboro. Dressers are theatre majors Robyne Richards of Beebe, and Jericho Smith of McCrory. The makeup team includes Jimena Aguilar Medina, a biotechnology major from Mexico City, Mexico, and Destiny Johnson, a theatre major from Cabot. The backstage crew includes theatre majors Justin Harris of St. Louis and Kit Vincent of Poplar Bluff, Mo.
The house manager is Hayley Murry, a theatre major from Beebe. Theatre major Julie Barnett of Crossett serves as the publicity manager. Orion Hulsey, a theatre major from Heber Springs, serves as the documentarian.
The closed-captioning team includes Joe Jackson, a general studies major from Holland, Mo., Fernanda Posadas, a theatre major from Sherwood, Jon Clark, a theatre major from Batesville, Miraya Gerardo-Munguia, a theatre major from Fairfield, Calif., and Tyler Jones, a theatre major from Beebe.
Tickets for "The Importance of Being Earnest" can be purchased Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m-5 p.m. at the First National Bank Arena box office or by calling (870) 972-ASU1. Tickets can also be purchased online at AState.edu/tickets. Prices are $10 for seniors, children, and A-State faculty/ staff and $15 for the public. A-State student tickets are free at the box office with a campus ID. Arkansas State University campus requires face coverings indoors in spaces where social distancing is not practical.
