By Nicole Cooke,
September 5, 2024
Enjoy an evening of entertainment as ŷƵ (UCM) Theatre and Dance presents “Remember When,” featuring four student-directed one-act plays Sept. 12-14.
All of the plays are directed, designed and performed by UCM students. Performances
include “Name” by Seth Kramer, “Good Morning, Miriam” by Jacquelyn Priskorn, “A Long
Trip” by Dan McGeehan and “Annnd Scene (Of the Crime)” by John Busser.
The “Remember When” Studio One-Acts will be performed on Thursday, Friday and Saturday,
Sept. 12-14 in the Nickerson Black Box Theatre on the first floor of Nickerson Hall.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show will begin at 7:30 p.m.
In “Name,” on Zach's 27th birthday, a group of old friends gets together to celebrate,
catch up and reminisce about their time together in high school. The friends connect
through various issues; Zach is terminally ill, Lewis is unemployed, Stan is a workaholic
and Susannah is pregnant and living with regret for giving up on her dream. Together,
through comedy and conflict, the friends attempt to conceptualize what their high
school selves would have thought of them now.
“Name” is written by Seth Kramer, with direction and technical direction by Paige
Showen. The student cast includes John Plasencio as Stan, Anna Fletcher as Susannah,
Kiera Carter as Lewis and Chris Schilligo as Zach.
“Good Morning, Miriam” begins when Miriam is at home, confused and alone, when she
meets Ari, someone who feels familiar but she does not remember. Time seems to blend
together and days repeat as she meets Audrey, who claims to be her daughter – but
she doesn’t have a daughter, does she? Miriam must decide whether to cling to her
memories and struggle or simply let it all fade away.
The student cast includes Ayden Christensen as Ari, Hannah Vath as Miriam, Ayla McCann
as Older Miriam and Karlee Troutt as Audrey. “Good Morning, Miriam” is written by
Jacquelyn Priskorn with direction by Finn Juliano and technical direction by Wesley
Freeman.
Reflecting on directing a show for the first time, Juliano said, “It’s exciting to
approach theatre from a different role than usual, and I am exceptionally proud to
be working with many talented freshmen and incoming transfers to promote a strong
future for the Division of Theatre and Dance.”
“A Long Trip” centers around an older man and woman reminiscing about the day they
had their first kiss, which the older woman struggles to remember due to her worsening
dementia. Before they know it, the memory comes rushing back and plays out before
them through their younger selves.
“A Long Trip” is written by Dan McGeehan with direction and technical direction by
Emily Turner. It is performed by Danny Gage as Man Older, Elizabeth Molina as Woman
Older, Dawson Black as Man Younger and Ali Whitbey as Woman Younger.
“Getting an opportunity to create your own show is something special,” Turner said
of working with her cast. “Working with fellow students to build a show from the ground
up allows you to get to know and love theatre in a whole new way.”
“Annnd Scene (Of the Crime)” stars Detective Lieutenant Milch and Detective Sergeant
Raye as they investigate the murder of Tony, a local improv comedian. During this
scene, they interrogate Eddie, one of Tony’s improv teammates, to try to get the real
story. Through a hilarious sequence of improv-based interrogation tactics, the detectives
are determined to find out Who Dunnit.
In this slapstick comedy, Rosalyn Schuster plays Detective Lieutenant Milch, Avory
Nail plays Detective Sergeant Raye and Killian Lewis plays Eddie Sumner. “Annnd Scene
(Of the Crime)” is written by John Busser with direction and technical direction by
Gracie Heath.
The production staff for “Remember When” includes Stage Manager Ashley Singh, Projection
Design and Board Operator Gracie Heath, Sound Board Operator and Social Media Manager
Emily Turner, Lighting Board Operator Wesley Freeman, Program Designer and Deck Captain
Paige Showen, and House Management Paige Showen and Finn Juliano. All student technical
directors also served as their show’s costume, scenic, props and lighting designers.
Faculty advisors for “Remember When” are Ashley Miller-Scully and Spencer Musser.
Tickets are free for UCM students. General public tickets are $1 and are available
at the door. The Black Box Theatre has limited seating, so arriving early is encouraged.
Parking is available in the Jerry M. Hughes Athletic Center parking lot.
For more information, please contact Ashley Miller-Scully at almiller@ucmo.edu.