Dramatic Comedy Next in Line for Northwestern Theatre Production Feb. 20-22

February 5, 2025

Kimberly Weast (left) gives direction to the Northwestern student cast members of the upcoming production of “The Cave,” a one-act dramatic comedy by Tim Kelly. All tickets are $3 for the performances at 7 p.m. on Feb. 20-21 and 2 p.m. on Feb. 22.

Seventeen Northwestern Oklahoma State University students are in rehearsals for the next theatre production presented by the Reichenberger Department of Fine Arts and theatre program.

“The Cave,” a one-act dramatic comedy by Tim Kelly through a special arrangement with Dramatist Play Service Inc., will be presented Feb. 20-21 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. in the Fellers Family Auditorium in Herod Hall. Admission for all attending is $3.

This production is staged as an exercise in theater where the cast enters wondering what they are about to perform. “The Cave” is an improvisation portraying a rag-tag ensemble of archetypes pitted against each other that takes the audience on a journey from playful mood to cryptic message, ancient pictograph to the great Unknown, and then back again. This production also explores themes of fear and exploration, theatre and reality, survival and betrayal. The audience members will recognize essential elements of the human condition in these mysterious players.

The cast members, their hometowns and majors follow:

Bella Anguino, Glenpool freshman majoring in speech and theatre; Gabriel Bussinger, Woodward junior majoring in speech and theatre; Dawson DeFoor, Erick freshman majoring in speech and theatre; Lilith Ferrero, Cordell senior majoring in speech and theatre; Jadyn Hendrickson, Waukee, Iowa, freshman majoring in speech and theatre; Maegan Holson, Waynoka senior majoring in psychology; Ken Irving, B’Iberville, Mississippi, senior majoring in mass communication; Sophie Jungman, Alva freshman majoring in mass communication; Alexander Marshall, Alva freshman undecided major; Jaden Matthews, Hennessey junior majoring in speech and theatre; Renee O’Connor, Alva freshman majoring in visual art; Rylee Pendergrass, Yukon freshman majoring in biology-natural history; Lily Post, Ponca City freshman majoring in speech and theatre; Kendra Puebla, Felt freshman majoring in natural science-biology; John Snyder, Oklahoma City junior majoring in instrumental music; Bethany Towns, Alva senior majoring in psychology; and Lucas Wood, Enid freshman majoring in vocal music.

John Hillman, Cheyenne sophomore majoring in computer science, is in charge of projection design and audio, costuming is being handled by the Theatre Production I and II classes, and Bussinger is the lighting designer.

Kimberly Weast, professor of theatre arts and chair of the theatre department, and Mickey Jordan, director of technical theatre and Herod Hall facilities manager, are the co-directors for this production.

"The rehearsals have been very creative,” Weast said. “We are asking the actors to use their imaginations and character motivation to move throughout the space. Therefore, every rehearsal thus far has been energetic and spontaneous."

Jordan added that the production “promises to be avant-garde and thought-provoking,” and the students have been working hard in rehearsals to discover the complexity of the characters presented in this story.

For more information on theatre performances and courses at Northwestern, contact Weast at (580) 327-8462 or kkweast@nwosu.edu or Jordan at Mojordan@nwosu.edu or (580) 327 -8458 or visit www.nwosu.edu/fine-arts for additional information.

-NW-