IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/20/06 CONTACT: PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
SILVER CITY- The Western New Mexico University Expressive Arts Department presents “The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail” written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. The play, directed by Jack Ellis, will be performed mostly by WNMU students as well as local members of the community.
“The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail” was written as a clear protest against the Vietnam War, using a related incident from America's history. In 1846, the writer, Henry David Thoreau, spent a night in jail for not paying his taxes. Thoreau refused to pay money that would support the Mexican-American War that was underway.
“This play is about individual responsibility and participation in democracy,” stated Ellis.
Henry Thoreau will be played by community member Tim Evans. Other community members who will be performing in the play will be Jerry Aerts who will play Waldo Emerson, Mother Thoreau will be portrayed by Linda Bluestone, Jennifer Johnston will play Ellen Sewell, Robert Scott will portray Sam Sheppard, and 12-year-old, Willy Jepson-Browne will be playing the role of Edward Emerson.
WNMU students who will be performing in the play are Billy Miller who will portray the character Bailey, Dawn Aerts will play Lydian Emerson, Levi Nolasco will play John Thoreau, Ogheneovo Dibie will be playing the slave William, Professor Chuck Cunningham will portray Deacon Nehemiah Ball, and Tiffany Bass and Eddie Rodriguez will be portraying townspeople.
The play will be performed in the WNMU Webb Theater on Friday, Oct. 27,
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and Saturday, Oct.28, at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee performance on Sunday, Oct. 29, at 2:30 p.m. Additional performances will be held on Thursday, Nov. 2, through Saturday, Nov. 4, at 7:30 p.m.
Donations will be accepted at the door and will benefit the Herb McGrath Fund, which offers scholarships to WNMU students. Donations of pet food will also be accepted and donated to the Silver City animal shelter.
For further information, please contact Jack Ellis at 538-6502.
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/20/06 CONTACT: PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
CAPTION- The Western New Mexico University Expressive Arts Department presents “The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail” written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. The play will be performed in the WNMU Webb Theater on Friday, Oct. 27, and Saturday, Oct.28, at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee performance on Sunday, Oct. 29, at 2:30 p.m. Additional performances will be held on Thursday, Nov. 2, through Saturday, Nov. 4, at 7:30 p.m. Pictured is Tim Evans and Ogheneovo Dibie rehearsing a scene from the first act of the play.
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