Department of Fine Arts
The
University Theatre Presents:
Equus
by Peter Shaffer
October
18-21, 2000 Fine Arts Theatre
Hyman Fine Arts Center
Francis Marion University
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Department of Fine Arts The
University Theatre Presents:
October
18-21, 2000 |
| Francis Marion University Theatre opened its 2000 – 2001 season with Peter Shaffer’s Award Winning Drama Equus. The drama deals with a young man who blinds six horses with a hoof pick and the psychiatrist who then later treats the young man. The play had a very successful Broadway run winning the Tony Award for Best Play; it is considered to be a modern classic. Audiences should be warned that the play contains language, subject matter and situations of a mature nature; what would be an NC-17 rating at a movie. |  |
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The University
Theatre had a “new feature” in this production in
that the play featured two guest artists. FMU theatre faculty
Keith Best and Amy Sherwood portrayed the
roles of the psychiatrist and the magistrate. Best is an
Acting Professor at the University and
Sherwood is the Theatre Costume designer. Both Best and
Sherwood have
extensive backgrounds in performance having acted with various
professional summer stock companies around the country.
Associate Professor Glen Gourley, Director of Theatre directed the
production, with Scenic and Lighting Design by Associate Professor
David Granath, resident Designer, Technical Director, and Curriculum
Coordinator. Assistant Professor Amy Sherwood, FMU Costume
Designer, in addition to her performing in the production designed the
costumes.
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Kelly Smith, a senior theatre major, worked
with Gourley on the production as Assistant to the Director.
In the role of the young man was Jason Abernathy a senior chemistry
major from Columbia, South Carolina. Florence area students
involved with the production included Stewart Bobbett as
Nugget/Horseman, Alicia Louise Coleman as a Horse, Rui Jiang as the
Nurse, H. Jeffrey Loflin – Production assistant, and Jacob
Robertson as the stable owner. Students from around the state
and the country that were involved include: David Martinez from Inman
as a Horse and the dance captain, Mark Baloya from Summerville
portraying a Horse, Erin Holladay of Chester as a Horse, Rob Jones of
Columbia as the boy’s father, Zakia Pereira from North Myrtle
Beach as a horse, Katherine Smith production assistant from Myrtle
Beach, Sarah Thorowgood from Maryland portraying Jill and Jessica
Willis of Saluda as the boy’s mother.
Later this season The Francis Marion University Theatre will present 6 Rms Riv Vu (February 21-24, 2001) and Charles Schulz's You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (April 6-14, 2001).
For additional information contact Mr. Gourley in FAC 224, 661-1538, agourley@fmarion.edu.
Interested in working
"behind the scenes"? Contact Mr.
Granath in FAC 222, 661-1536, dgranth@fmarion.edu.
photos courtesy of Amy Sherwood