For more information, contact Dr. Rick Abel, 620-792-9333.

November 5, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release prepared by: Linda Jerke

Barton Community College Theatre Director Erin Renard has announced cast members for the fall play, “True West” by acclaimed playwright Sam Shepard. Performances are set for 7 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Nov. 22 and 23, in Barton’s Fine Arts Auditorium.

“True West,” Shepard’s most produced play, tells the story of two brothers: Austin, an ambitious Hollywood screenwriter working on a potential million-dollar deal, and Lee, a vagabond thief with a compulsion for six-packs and toasters. Austin and Lee face off for control while venting demons from their dysfunctional past.

The play has only four characters: brothers Austin and Lee, their mother, and a Hollywood Producer, Saul Kimmer. Chosen in auditions last month to play those roles are Scott White, Lawrence freshman, as Austin; James Winston, Ellsworth freshman, as Lee; Kenny Hopkinson, Barton forensics coach, as Saul; and Ann Rogers, Great Bend, as the mother.

In addition, Amanda Cargile, Abilene freshman, serves as stage manager and properties mistress, and Dane Murray, Great Bend freshman, is lighting and sound designer. Alan Baxter, Great Bend, is in charge of set design and construction.

White, a theatre major, has experience in musical theatre and has done some student directing. He also has experience as a choreographer and dancer and is a member of Barton’s Cougar Danz Force. Winston, also a theatre major, has been involved in musical theatre in Ellsworth, appearing in “Grease” and “Oklahoma.” He also has been involved in the Salina Community Theatre.

Hopkinson, who is in his first year as communications instructor and forensics coach at Barton, earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication and speech communication from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and is working on a master’s degree in communication from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Rogers has taken acting classes and has been involved in community theatre and vocal music. Cargile is a theatre major with acting experience in Abilene and in Devine, Texas. She also is a member of the Cougar Danz Force.

New to Barton this year, Renard, who lives in Russell, is a former instructor of communication studies at Fort Hays State University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in general science and a master’s degree in communication studies (theatre), both from FHSU.

“True West” was written in 1978, Renard said, but her cast will perform it as if it were happening in contemporary time. The play has a small cast and only one set, yet it is “prop heavy,” she said, but costuming is contemporary and not difficult to arrange. The play focuses on the drama between the two brothers.

The Broadway revival of “True West” in 2000 featured Philip Seymour Hoffman and John C. Reilly, who alternated playing the lead roles, Renard said. The critically acclaimed production earned Tony Award nominations for best actor (both Hoffman and Reilly), best director and best play.

Originally from New Jersey, Renard studied theatre and dance as a youth and later attended William Patterson University majoring in theatre with a minor in dance. Her theatrical experiences include acting, directing and choreography at New York University, McCarter Theatre at Princeton University, William Patterson University, Wichita Community Theatre, Russell Community Theatre and FHSU Theatre.

She recently performed and directed monologues in Hays Community Theatre’s production of Jane Martin’s “Talking With …” Renard is an original member, actor and writer of the educational improvisation company, “Good Clean Fun,” performing original shows on the east coast both live and for cable television.

Renard also has performed on local television in Nex-Tech commercials, on a TV episode of “Weird Science,” and in Ang Lee’s feature film, “Ride With the Devil.” As a singer/songwriter/guitarist, she performs with the folk group, “The Mother Folkers.”

As “True West,” is presented, the audience will be seated on the stage in black box style with angled seating. Tickets for the play can be purchased at the door on the night of each performance and no tickets will be sold in advance. General admission tickets are $5. Tickets are $2 for all students, Silver Cougar Club members and Barton faculty and staff. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

For additional information about the play, contact Barton’s Dean of Academics Dr. Rick Abel, 620-792-9333, or abelr@bartonccc.edu.