Published Wednesday, September 20th, 2023
The seriousness of living and dying is reinforced in this Branden Jacobs-Jenkins play.
Carefree and content, Everybody believes an even brighter future awaits. Until Death arrives and a crusade for the true meaning of life begins.
The Wayne State College theatre program will present “Everybody” Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 5-8, in the Black Box Theatre, located on the lower level of the Lied Performing Arts Annex of the Peterson Fine Arts Building. Performances are 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets, available at the door, are $5 per person, with free admission for Wayne State students, faculty, and staff with their college ID card. There are no reserved seats, but seating is limited.
“Everybody” contains mature themes and runs about 90 minutes. It is produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Services, Inc.
Written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, “Everybody” is a modern take on the 15th century morality play “Everyman.” Life’s randomness is dramatized with a nightly lottery dictating which actors play certain characters. This poignant, playful approach reinforces the seriousness of living and dying as actors must prepare for multiple roles. Everybody’s death journey is informed by encounters with Friendship, Kinship, Stuff, Mind, Five Senses, Understanding, and Love.
Cast members are:
Lafayette, La. – Debonaire Williams
Ainsworth – Victor Carranza
Beemer – Anna Mayes
Broken Bow – Buddy Osmond
Ceresco – Hannah Wells
Grand Island – Madison Dvorak
Gretna – Ella Johnson
Lyons – Heather-Lillie Tomka
Nebraska City – Jay Rodriguez
North Bend – Owen Brodd
North Platte – Macie Ebmeier
Omaha – Victoria Harrington, Kenna Johnson, Noah Miller, Maria Sellers
Schuyler – Katie Stodieck
Wayne – Rowan Klein, Avery Partida, Ethan Voss
Wahoo – Rebecca Hart
York – Alycia Gage
Mollie Young, adjunct professor of theatre, serves as director, with Tessa Masek, Wahoo, serving as stage manager. Brian Begley, associate professor of theatre, is the technical director, scenic designer, and lighting designer. Costume designer Anna Mae Kruger, Wayne, is assisted by Anna Mayes, Katie Stodieck, and Kaitlyn Nelson, Castana, Iowa.
Sound design is conducted by Mollie Young and Justin Holliday-Mitts, Mount Prospect, Ill., who also operates the sound board. Erin Pfeifer, Madison, operates the light board.
The building, lighting, electrics, set, and props crews include Zoey Campbell, Papillion; Kylie Cautrell, Hoskins; Ashley Gunderson, Ida Grove, Iowa; Danielle Janssen Tecumseh; Claire Jensen, Aurora; Iyla Sutherland, Nevada, Iowa; Justin Holliday-Mitts; Rowan Klein; Anna Mayes; Noah Miller; Kaitlyn Nelson; Ethan Voss; Tessa Masek; Erin Pfeifer; Katie Stodieck; and Debonaire Williams.
For more information, contact Mollie Young at [email protected].