LC Theatre presents thought-provoking, absurd, hilarious shorts

Posted on Friday, November 15, 2024

Society has its rules. Tradition has its place. And hospitality has its limits. In next week’s plays “The Lottery,” “The Applicant” and “Wanda’s Visit,” LC Theatre Arts offers an evening of deep meaning, absurd surprises and extreme comedy.

The production opens with Shirley Jackson's “The Lottery,” centered around a town's adherence to a longstanding ritual which leads to devastating consequences. “This play explores our complex relationship with tradition, even when the original reasons behind customs have been forgotten,” said sophomore dramaturg Florinda Galbreath.

Freshman Summer Baker takes on the role of Tessie Hutchinson, the wife of senior Baylor Montoya’s patriarchal character Bill. “She stands out from the other townspeople because she questions whether their long-held ritual is truly justified,” Baker said. “Tessie's interactions with the others, including senior Will Gray’s staunch traditional character Fred Delacroix, reveal a growing unease with the customs of her town.”

The ensemble in “The Lottery” is composed of LC students, alumni, local schoolchildren and community members. “To tell Jackson’s thought-provoking story we needed actors of all ages to shed light on the effects a town’s traditions can have on its residents,” said Ellie Boykin ’19, Theatre Lecturer and director of “The Lottery.”

Next up is Harold Pinter's “The Applicant,” which delves into the absurdity of social dynamics. Montoya plays a scientist, Mr. Lamb, who is facing off against junior Aria Mabry's “extremely efficient” job interviewer Miss Piffs. “Her efficiency masks a deeper delight in wielding power over others, especially men,” Mabry said.

Rounding out the series is Christopher Durang's “Wanda's Visit,” which features sophomore Abigail Humphries as the titular character who upends the lives of Jim and Marsha, played by Gray and freshman Jeanne Haggerty. As Haggerty noted, “Wanda's visit proves to be both hilarious and unsettling.”

“These plays offer a unique theatrical experience in just over an hour,” said Kim Barber Knoll, Theatre Arts Professor and director of “The Applicant” and “Wanda’s Visit.” “‘The Lottery’ is meaningful and disturbing. ‘The Applicant’ while humorous is quite shocking, and ‘Wanda’s Visit’ is a non-stop roller coaster ride.”

The production will run Nov. 19-20. The performance time is 6:30 p.m. at Price Theater. The show contains mature subject matter.

Ticket reservations will now be made through Eventbrite. The cost is $10 for adults and free for LC faculty, staff and students. Make sure to select the appropriate ticket when given the option. Cash and checks are accepted at the door.

 

Campus Notes

• Political Science students Katie Gonzalez ’26, Sosuke Niki ’28 and Jenna Pittman ’26 presented undergraduate research projects at the Georgia Political Science Association conference Nov. 6-8 in St. Simon’s Island. Both Gonzalez and Pittman’s papers were finalists for the Pajari Award. Also at the conference, Professor Emeritus Dr. Tracy Lightcap won the Society for Teaching and Learning Award.
• Three students were recently inducted into Psi Chi, the international psychology honors society, at the Chapel. Inductees represent students who have excelled in their study and application of psychology, have completed rigorous courses and are in the top 35% of their class. The 2024-25 inductees are, from left, Marti Musciano-Howard ’26, Jenna Yeary ’26 and Marissa Oliver ’25.

 

Collegiate Enrichment

Math Senior Capstone

Tuesday, Nov. 19

9:30 a.m., Room 327, Callaway Science Building

• Senior Math majors will share their capstone presentations.

Theatre Shorts: “The Lottery,” “The Applicant” and “Wanda’s Visit”

Tuesday, Nov. 19-Wednesday, Nov. 20

6:30 p.m., Price Theater

• Come out for an evening of thought-provoking plays.

International Education: LC's Sports Management Club’s Study Away Trip

Thursday, Nov. 21

11 a.m., Corn Auditorium

• Students from the Sports Management Club, along with members of the International Student Club, share their recent experiences from a summer 2024 study away opportunity in the U.K.

LC Miracle Maker Meeting

Thursday, Nov. 21

11 a.m., TBD

• Students are encouraged to come and learn about LC Miracle’s Dance Marathon in the spring and the Children’s Miracle Network it supports.

UGA Graduate Program in Public Administration

Thursday, Nov. 21

11:45 a.m., Room 317, Lewis Library

• Aaron Redman, Associate Director of the Master’s in Public Administration program at the University of Georgia, will speak with students about the degree and graduate school opportunities.

 

Sports

Football

LC fell to Belhaven 9-36 on Saturday, Nov. 9. The team caps off its season at home against Southern Virginia on Saturday, Nov. 16 (tomorrow). Standing at 5-4 (5-2 USA South), the Panthers have the opportunity to secure their second-best record in school history with a win this weekend at Callaway Stadium.

Men's Basketball

After a slight 0-2 bump early in the season against Truett McConnell and Berry, Coach Kendal Wallace and the Men's Basketball program look to right the ship as they travel to Montgomery, Alabama, this weekend to compete in the Huntingdon Classic against a Millsaps team that they beat by 23 points last season, as well as an 0-6 Welch squad still searching for its first win of the season.

Women's Basketball

The Panthers hit the road this weekend after losing 66-70 in overtime against Emory at home on Wednesday, Nov. 13. The team will compete in the SAA/CCS Classic against Berry and host Sewanee as they look to continue cementing their mark in the 2024-25 campaign.

Volleyball

Junior Zentrina Choice was named to the Collegiate Conference of the South All-Sportsmanship Team.

 

Panther Calendar

(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)

Friday, Nov. 15 – Men’s Basketball (Huntingdon Classic) vs. Welch @Huntingdon, 6 p.m., Montgomery, Alabama

Saturday, Nov. 16 – Football (Home) vs. Southern Virginia, 1 p.m., Callaway Stadium

Saturday, Nov. 16 – Women’s Basketball (CCS/SAA Classic) vs. Berry @Sewanee, 3 p.m., Sewanee, Tennessee

Saturday, Nov. 16 – Men’s Basketball (Huntingdon Classic) vs. Millsaps @Huntingdon, 4 p.m., Montgomery, Alabama

Sunday, Nov. 17 – Women’s Basketball (CCS/SAA Classic) at Sewanee, 2 p.m., Sewanee, Tennessee

 

In the Headlines

LaGrange College’s Parker Lovett is the busiest man on campus, LaGrange Daily News, Nov. 13

Category: Students, Arts and Culture, Events

Keywords: Theatre, Education