The NAU Theater Department will stage its first performance of the season, ‘Mother Hicks,’ which focuses on three outsiders: an orphan, a deaf boy and Mother Hicks, a highly misunderstood woman thought to be a witch. Performances will be on the Clifford E. White stage at 8 p.m. Oct. 5-6 and 10-13, and at 2 p.m. Oct. 7 and 14.<\/p>\n
Set in southern Illinois during the Depression, the play is a family-friendly exploration of how outcasts can be perceived in the collective consciousness, and how it can limit our humanity.<\/p>\n
The play follows our three outsiders as they strive to overcome their own limitations, and those imposed upon them by the townspeople.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have adored this play since the first time I read it, over 10 years ago,” said director\u00a0Darby Winterhalter Lofstrand<\/strong>. “I have always wanted to work with it, and this year it seemed particularly pertinent with our country’s financial woes and struggles with identity. The issues of \u2018other,\u2019 of disenfranchised citizens, of our individual struggles to be understood and appreciated, are relevant to children and adults, alike.\u201d<\/p>\n NAU Theater students comprise the entire cast. Tuc is played by\u00a0Willie Hines<\/strong>, Girl is played by\u00a0Chelsea Hightower<\/strong>, and Mother Hicks by\u00a0Taylor Venezio,\u00a0<\/strong>who is creating the role as a part of her senior capstone project for graduation. Other students in the cast are\u00a0Devon Mahon<\/strong>,\u00a0Veronica Ancona<\/strong>,\u00a0Rob Barnes<\/strong>,\u00a0Andrew Cummins<\/strong>,\u00a0Justin Hopper<\/strong>,\u00a0Brenna Clendaniel<\/strong>,\u00a0Jordan Reinhardt<\/strong>,\u00a0Charity Ormand<\/strong>,\u00a0Dennis Verrett,\u00a0<\/strong>Sierra Nelson<\/strong>,\u00a0Christina Maxwell<\/strong>,\u00a0Justus Burkitt,\u00a0<\/strong>Annamarie Carlson<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Ayan Aunario<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The technical director is NAU theater student\u00a0Mike Rudder<\/strong>, the stage manager is NAU theater student\u00a0Shannon Harral,<\/strong>\u00a0and costume designer is NAU theater student\u00a0Stephanie Nguyen<\/strong> all of whom are working on the project as a part of their senior capstone project. Scenic\/props designer is NAU theater faculty member\u00a0Patrick Battles<\/strong>, and lighting\/sound designer is NAU theater faculty member\u00a0Ben Alexander<\/strong>.<\/p>\n American Sign Language\u00a0will be used within the show as well as for the audience.<\/p>\n Season tickets are $46 \u2028for the general public; $38 for seniors and NAU staff; and $24 for students and children. Individual tickets are $14 for general public; $12 for seniors and NAU staff; $8 for children, and $2 for NAU students.<\/p>\n Tickets can be purchased from the Central Ticket Office located in the University Union (bldg. 30,) across from Ardrey Memorial Auditorium, by calling (928) 523-5661 or (888) 520-7214, or by visiting\u00a0nau.edu\/cto<\/a>.<\/p>\n Free parking is available after 4:30 p.m. weekdays or all weekend, in parking lot P13, behind the Cline Library.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"