Theatre TJC raises the curtain on its 2024-25 season with Mary Shelley’s monster tale, “Frankenstein.”
The production is under the direction of Jacob L. Davis, TJC theatre professor.
Show times are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, Oct. 9-12, in Wise Auditorium, located in the Rogers Palmer Performing Arts Center on the TJC central campus. Due to the show’s mature themes, parental discretion is advised.
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors ages 65 and up, students and active military. The TJC Box Office opens Wednesday, Oct. 2. Box office hours are 3-5:30 p.m. weekdays. To purchase tickets online, go to TJC.UniversityTickets.com. For reservations, call 903-510-2212.
Playwright Nick Dear adapted Mary Shelley’s original novel that has captivated audiences for more than 200 years. Childlike in his innocence but grotesque in form, Frankenstein’s bewildered Creature is cast out into a hostile universe by his horror-struck maker. Meeting with cruelty wherever he goes, the Creature determines to track down his creator.
The cast and crew
Cast includes: Kayden Loudermilk of Forney, as Victor Frankenstein; Ethan “Texas” Beam, TJC alumnus and theatre facilities director, as The Creature; Sierra Walker of Tyler, as Gretel/Townsfolk; Logan Deck of Tyler, as Gustav/Constable/Townsfolk; Jay Stevens of Forney, as Klaus/Townsfolk; Ethan Leon-Duffey of Tyler, as De Lacey; Rylan Barr of Victoria, as Felix/Townsfolk; Abigail Gipson of Tyler, as Agatha/Townsfolk; Rylee Ivins of Palestine, as Female Creature/Townsfolk; Travis Brown of Van, as Monsieur Frankenstein; Bailey Thornburg of Anna, as Elizabeth Lavenza; Alexa Brines of Troup, as Clarice/Townsfolk; Rowyn Weslee Davis of Winona, as William Frankenstein; Audrey Martin of Athens, as Servant 1/Townsfolk; Marcus Burton of Houston, as Servant 2/Townsfolk; and Michael Robins of Mansfield, as Ewan/Townsfolk.
Faculty production staff: Jacob L. Davis, stage direction and lighting design; Denise Weatherly-Green, costume design; Ryan Stewart, construction; Dr. David W. Crawford, theatre management; Ethan Beam, box office/theatre facilities director; and Lara K. Smith, theatre department chair.
Student production staff and crew: stage manager, Kyler Littlejohn of Union Grove; assistant stage managers, Kema Amine of Forney and Joshua Ortiz of Lindale; and director’s assistant, Kay Do of Forney.
The 2024-25 main stage season also includes:
• “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” (Nov. 13-16) — an original work by Ethan “Texas” Beam, TJC theatre alumnus and theatre facilities director
• “Jesus Christ Superstar” (Feb. 19-22) — the classic, award-winning rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice
• “Antigone” (April 2-5) — Sophocles’ Greek tragedy of politics, leadership and moral duty, adapted by TJC theatre professor Denise Weatherly-Green
About the TJC Cultural Arts District
Located in the heart of the College’s central campus, the TJC Cultural Arts District features a variety of art and science programs across four venues, including:
• Rogers Palmer Performing Arts Center
• Jean Browne Theatre
• The Earth and Space Science Center featuring Hudnall Planetarium
• Tyler Museum of Art
From top-notch theatrical productions and performances by outstanding music and dance departments to incredible visual artwork, TJC offers some of the finest arts and entertainment in the East Texas region.
For more information on upcoming events, or to download the current TJC Cultural Arts publication, go to TJC.edu/CulturalArtsDistrict.