Date:
11/10/2008
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 575.562.2253
Reporter: Robin Haislett
PORTALES—The Eastern New Mexico University theater department will perform the play “Spoon River Anthology” on Nov. 15 at 7 p.m., Nov. 16 at 2 p.m., and Nov. 17–18 at 7 p.m. at the University Theater Center on the Portales campus. Performances will be held in the Studio Theatre. Tickets are $4 each.
The play features the following performers from the freshman performance class which Anne Beck and Janeice Scarborough teach: Jessica Eaker “Jeaker” from Farmington, Jeff Darnell from Hobbs, Phillip De La Rosa from Artesia, Mackenzie Kennedy from Lubbock, Texas, William Holland from Lovington, Paige Cleland from Albuquerque, Brittany Nothstine from Farmington, Sarah Elswick from Clovis, Heather Stroud from Portales, Sam Cantwell from Portales, Maddy Quinlan from Albuquerque, Robyn Spano from Albuquerque, Robert Pitts from Costa Rica, Brianna Pilon from Los Alamos, Bailey Wilson from Aztec, and Josh Kelly from Los Alamos.
“Spoon River Anthology” is based on a book of the same name published in 1915 which uses short poems and stories to describe life in a small town. The piece was selected because it can accommodate any class size as there are over 60 parts available. Many students are assuming the roles of multiple characters in this performance.
Ms. Kennedy says, “It really helps me with acting because I have four different characters with different attitudes, so it really stretches my boundaries with what I can do with characters.”
The play and book are based on the premise that all of the townspeople have died and are coming back to life to tell their stories and their secrets. Ms. Beck chose this to compare and contrast how life in small towns has changed and how it has stayed the same.
For more information, contact Shirlene Peters at 575.562.2711.