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SMSU Theater presents ‘Personal History’

SMSU Theater’s 54th season continues with “Personal History” by Dominic Taylor. Performances are Dec. 9, 10, 11, 2021 at 7:30 pm and Dec. 12 at 2 pm. All performances are in the SMSU Fine Arts Theatre, with free parking available in lot B-1. Tickets are $10 and are available at www.SMSUtickets.com and at the door. All performances are free to SMSU students with a valid student ID. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, all students, faculty, staff, and visitors are currently required to wear a mask in all public indoor spaces on the SMSU campus, including in the theater during the performance.

Playing with time, “Personal History” imagines an African-American couple navigating three moments in American life. From 1903 to 1953 to 1996, the play explores what life would be like for Eugene and Bethany in each of these times, as they interact with an evolving society, confronting issues of race and class, as well as the dynamics of their own personal relationship.

“Personal History” is directed by guest artist Theo Langason. A graduate of Rutgers University-Camden with a degree in Theatre Arts, Langason has been working in the Twin Cities as an actor, director, musician, composer, improviser, poet, and teaching artist for a decade. He is a co-artistic director of Red Eye Theater, a company member of Sandbox Theatre, a member of Blackout Improv, and a cast member of The Theater of Public Policy. As a teaching artist, Langason works regularly with Guthrie Theater, Penumbra Theatre, and Upstream Arts.

SMSU theater alumnus Alex Pikiben (’15) is the guest sound designer. Pikiben recently completed his master of fine arts degree with specialization in sound and lighting design at the University of South Dakota, and is now a freelance sound designer based in Minneapolis.

Professor Sheila Tabaka of Marshall is the costume designer. Assistant Professor Tetta M. Askeland of Marshall is the scenic and lighting designer. Molly Green, a junior theater arts major and criminal justice minor from Silver Lake is the stage manager. Professor Nadine Purvis Schmidt of Estelline, S.D. is the producer.

The cast and production team includes:

• Jasper Ale, a junior theater arts major from Nigeria, as Cosgreve.

• LeRoy Tre’ Beck III, a community member originally from Luling, Texas, as Eugene Balswede.

• Alexander Duus, a sophomore broadcast and digital media major and theater minor from Tyler, as a member of the ensemble.

• Matthew Hartley, a senior political science major and biology and acting/directing double minor from Winner, S.D., as Franklin Smith.

• Colton Jensen, a junior theater arts major and political science minor from Sanborn, as Patrick Kinney.

• Avianna McFarquhar, a senior theater arts and management-entrepreneurship double major from Marshall as Bethany Weeks.

• Domonique McPhail, a junior theater arts major from Murdock, as Angelina McCabe.

• Bryn Mongeau, a sophomore theater arts and music-theory/composition double major from Beaver Creek, and Baltimore, Md., as a member of the ensemble.

• Brooke Burns, a sophomore math education major and theater minor from Russell, is the assistant stage manager.

• Noah Dunn, a freshman chemistry education major and middle school science minor from Marshall, is the light board operator.

• Ratsamee Lee, a sophomore criminal Justice major from St. Paul, is the sound board operator.

• Sara Karpen, a junior professional writing and communication major from Tea, S.D., is the house manager.

“Personal History” is presented through special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com)

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