Note: The Sunday, April 21 performance has been canceled.
Student-led production is the first of its kind in the newly renovated and expanded Fine Arts Building.
Kent State University at Stark Theatre’s first student-led production opens April 12 with the performance “Of Mice and Men”, a play based on the novella by John Steinbeck.
The “Of Mice and Men” cast will take to the campus’ stage for opening night at 7:30 p.m. April 12 in the Studio Theatre, which is located in the newly expanded and renovated Fine Arts Building, 6000 Frank Ave. NW.
Directed by Kent State Stark student Morgan Brown, “Of Mice and Men” depicts the lives of two drifters during the Great Depression who have just arrived at a ranch to work for enough money to buy their own place.
Brown, a senior theatre major, is a 2016 graduate of GlenOak High School. She said she chose the Steinbeck classic to direct because “it is an extremely emotional and poignant show.
“Our new Studio Theatre is the perfect place for an intimate, thought-provoking show because the audience is situated quite close to the actors. I wanted a show where, as soon as an audience member steps into the theatre, they are transported into the world of the play,” Brown said. “When audience members are fully engulfed in the performance, Steinbeck’s themes of human emotion and morals are represented beautifully.”
Brown said the Kent State Stark Theatre community has become like family throughout her time on campus.
“When the opportunity for a student-led production arose, I jumped at the chance to direct,” said the 20-year-old. “I felt that there was no better way to begin than with my closest friends and valued professors. This process has given me such faith in the art of theatre, and I can speak for everyone involved when I say that we have put forth our best effort for this show.”
Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. tonight and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday. The show also will take place at 7:30 p.m. April 19 and 20. The Sunday, April 21 matinee at 2 p.m. has been canceled.
Tickets for the show can be purchased online at www.kent.edu/stark/of-mice-and-men, by phone at 330-244-3348 or in person at the box office in the Fine Arts lobby. Will call opens one hour prior to performances. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for senior citizens and non-KSU students. Tickets are free to all Kent State students with student IDs.