KEARNEY – University Theatre at Kearney is opening the 2023-24 season with a William Shakespeare classic.
“The Tempest,” a captivating tale of magic, love, family and forgiveness, will be presented this week at Miriam Drake Theatre on the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
Running approximately 2 1/2 hours, including a 10-minute intermission, “The Tempest” recounts the tale of Prospero and his daughter Miranda as they find their way back from years of isolation on a deserted island. It is a true journey of discovery, set into motion when fate brings Prospero’s enemies past his island home. Though Prospero endeavors to use magic and manipulation to exact his revenge, he ultimately realizes what truly matters in life.
The UNK production is directed by associate professor and theater program director Darin Himmerich. The cast includes UNK students Kate Anderson, Abigail Chambers, Avan Gregory, Charlotte Hajda, Nikki Knoell, Alex Ladely, Joseph Roeder, Bethany Rother, Laura Rozema, Keegan Spence, Landon Spicka, Isabelle Stroot and Nathan York, along with UNK philosophy professor David Rozema and community actor Benjamin Salazar.
General admission tickets are $10 for adults; $8 for non-UNK students and seniors; $7 per person for groups of 10 or more; and free for UNK students with a valid ID. The UNK Theatre Box Office is open 12:30 to 5 p.m. weekdays and one hour prior to each performance. All ticket purchases are payable by cash or check only. For reservations, call 308-865-8417 or email boxoffice@unk.edu.
Cast (listed by hometown)
Aurora, Colorado – Nathan York (Alonso)
Broken Bow – Charlotte Hajda (Miranda)
David City – Avan Gregory (Mariner 1)
Hastings – Isabelle Stroot (Stefano)
Holdrege – Nikki Knoell (Boatswain)
Kearney – Laura Rozema (Ariel)
Norfolk – Abigail Chambers (Trinculo)
North Platte – Alex Ladely (Sebastian)
North Platte – Joseph Roeder (Gonzalo)
Omaha – Kate Anderson (Ferdinand)
Omaha – Keegan Spence (Mariner 2)
Wahoo – Landon Spicka (Master)
Weskan, Kansas – Bethany Rother (Antonio)
UNK philosophy professor David Rozema (Prospero)
Community actor Benjamin Salazar (Caliban)
Student Artistic and Production Staff
Kearney – Lainey Schmeits (stage manager)
Kearney – Naomi Chavez (assistant stage manager)
Kearney – Carroll Moore Raine LaClair (assistant technical director)
Kearney – Jaden Longfellow (sound designer)
Lincoln – Samm O’Connor (properties master)
Mitchell – Zane Blomenkamp (dramaturg)
Papillion – Makayla Strosnider (assistant stage manager)
Faculty/Staff Artistic Team
Darin Himmerich, director
Andrew Brackett, lighting designer
Giovanni Flores, music composer
Bridget Klein, costume designer
Ahna Packard, scenic designer
PHOTOS BY ERIKA PRITCHARD, UNK COMMUNICATIONS
