Susan Deiger, UNK Department of Theatre, 308.865.8406
The University of Nebraska at Kearney Department of Theatre will present “An Evening of Ionesco,” three one-act plays by dramatist Eugene Ionesco, next Wednesday through Sunday (April 16-20).
The one-acts being performed are “The Lesson,” “Jack or the Submission” and “The Chairs.” All three works are from the early 1950’s. Directors are Dr. Sam Umland, professor of English; Jack Garrison, associate professor of theatre; and Janice Fronczak, associate professor of theatre, respectively.
“The Lesson” is said to be one of Ionesco’s most notable works. The comic drama centers on a professor and his latest pupil. What starts out as a normal lesson quickly becomes mysterious as the story takes a dark turn.
“Jack or the Submission,” an absurdist study, focuses on Jack and his dilemma about marrying Roberta. Stubborn Jack is resistant to marry Roberta, but eventually he falls for the girl.
“The Chairs” is a tragic farce. Set in what is assumed to be a post-apocalyptic world, an old man and woman prepare chairs for invisible guests who will come to hear the orator reveal the meaning of life.
Performance dates and times are Wednesday – Saturday, April 16-19, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 20, at 2 p.m. All performances will be in the UNK Fine Arts Building Studio Theatre.
Ticket prices are $7 for adults; $5 for non-UNK students, seniors and UNK Faculty/Staff; $3 each for those who attend in groups of 10 or more; and free for UNK students with a valid ID. Reservations may be made through the UNK Theatre box office by contacting 308.865.8417 or e-mailing boxoffice@unk.edu.
The student cast for each one-act, the role each plays and the director are listed below, alphabetically, by hometown:
“The Lesson”
Director- Dr. Sam Umland
Kearney- Jack Garrison, the professor (UNK theatre faculty)
Kearney- Elizabeth Doxtator-Morenberg, the maid
Polk- Stephanie Gray, the young pupil
“Jack or the Submission”
Director: Jack Garrison
David City- Ashley Rae Kobza, Jacqueline
Elwood- Lauren Blessing, Roberta I and Roberta II
Hastings- Alexandra Zysset, mother Robert
Kearney- James Jelkin, father Robert
Kearney- Kyle Kuypers, grandfather Jack
Lincoln- Spencer Wolfe, Jack
Nebraska City- David Hotsenpillar, father Jack
Stamford- Chelsea Richards, mother Jack
Winside- Brittany Greunke, grandmother Jack
“The Chairs”
Director: Janice Fronczak
Kearney- Joseph Knispel, orator
North Platte- Carey Teters, old woman
Ord- Ryan Hruza, old man
The student technical crews for each one-act are listed below, alphabetically, by hometown:
Omaha- Marie Poly, production stage manager for all three one-acts
The Lesson
Omaha- Marie Poly, stage manager
Oklahoma-
Hartshorne- Megan Ingle, assistant stage manager
Jack or the Submission
Columbus- Elizabeth Uchtman, stage manager
Maywood- Clinton Noorgard, assistant stage manager
The Chairs
Columbus- Jakob Benjamin Enzminger, stage manager
Republican City- Kassandra Wendell, assistant stage manager
The faculty/staff artistic crew includes: Darin Himmerich, technical director; Kimberley Jones, costume designer; and
Mark Wethington, scenic and lighting designer
