MSU to offer benefit performance of "Doubt"

The Midwestern State University Theatre's production of Doubt is one of seven plays to be showcased at the Region VI American College Theatre Festival at Texas State University in San Marcos February 23-28. The community will have the opportunity to attend a benefit performance Feb. 21 at 7:30pm in Fain Fine Arts Theatre.

The seven plays were selected from 56 original entries from a five-state region including Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas.  Besides Doubt, the other plays advancing to the Region VI festival are Metamorphoses from Centenary College of Louisiana, Anatomy of Grey from the University of Oklahoma, As It Is in Heaven from Oklahoma Baptist University, Rabbit Hole from West Texas A&M University, and The Caucasian Chalk Circle and The House of Several Stories, both from Texas State University.

                Dr. Ron Fischli, the director of Doubt, remarked that "the last two times that the MSU Theatre has entered the state ACTF competition, its productions have been named as alternates, just missing the list of advancing plays.  So, finally we have graduated from bridesmaids to bride, which is a distinct honor for all the students and faculty members who worked so devotedly on this year's entry."

                The cast for the four-character play includes Shannon Dietz, senior theatre major, as Sister Aloysius; Matt Griffin, junior theatre major, as Father Flynn; Lauren Loskot, freshman theatre major,  as Sister James; and Mary Okonkwo, senior humanities major, as Mrs. Muller.  Both Dietz and Griffin are also entered in the Irene Ryan Acting competition that will be part of the regional festival.

                The designers for Doubt were Don Henschel, professor of theatre, scenery; Haley Moore, senior theatre major, costumes; Chris Shoemake, senior theatre major, lighting; Brandon Smith, instructor and technical assistant, sound; Justen Locke, senior theatre major, props; and Kelly Foard, senior theatre major, makeup.   Samantha Pecor, junior theatre major, stage managed the production.