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.
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.
The play follows our three outsiders as they strive to overcome their own limitations, and those imposed upon them by the townspeople.
“I have adored this play since the first time I read it, over 10 years ago,” said director Darby Winterhalter Lofstrand. “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 ‘other,’ of disenfranchised citizens, of our individual struggles to be understood and appreciated, are relevant to children and adults, alike.”
NAU Theater students comprise the entire cast. Tuc is played by Willie Hines, Girl is played by Chelsea Hightower, and Mother Hicks by Taylor Venezio, who is creating the role as a part of her senior capstone project for graduation. Other students in the cast are Devon Mahon, Veronica Ancona, Rob Barnes, Andrew Cummins, Justin Hopper, Brenna Clendaniel, Jordan Reinhardt, Charity Ormand, Dennis Verrett, Sierra Nelson, Christina Maxwell, Justus Burkitt, Annamarie Carlson and Ayan Aunario.
The technical director is NAU theater student Mike Rudder, the stage manager is NAU theater student Shannon Harral, and costume designer is NAU theater student Stephanie Nguyen all of whom are working on the project as a part of their senior capstone project. Scenic/props designer is NAU theater faculty member Patrick Battles, and lighting/sound designer is NAU theater faculty member Ben Alexander.
American Sign Language will be used within the show as well as for the audience.
Season tickets are $46 for 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.
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 nau.edu/cto.
Free parking is available after 4:30 p.m. weekdays or all weekend, in parking lot P13, behind the Cline Library.