The Catawba College Theatre Department’s first show of the season is Sam Shepard’s “True West.”
Shepard’s brilliant writing makes this play one of the most realistic and chilling pieces of literature and it all takes place in the confines of one space in a house.
The play focuses on two brothers, Austin who is a successful screenwriter and Lee who can’t seem to find his place in the world and who just drifts from place to place.
When Austin comes to house-sit for his mother who is vacationing in Alaska, Lee pays an unexpected visit, making the air a little tense in the house.
The brothers, who have many differences, end up finding that each one has secretly wished to be in the other’s shoes.
Combine the intensity of Shepard’s writing with an intimate theater space like Florence Busby Corriher Theatre and audience members will be treated to an incredible night of amazing theatre.
While fans of Sam Shepard’s writing love this play, most people are not as familiar with this specific work.
“Sam Shepard has always been a passion of mine….he’s got a Western way of looking at the world,” said director Dayna Anderson, who is a theatre arts professor at Catawba. “I’m surprised by his work every time I turn around.”
Cast members include Greg Stoughton of Niceville, Fla., as Lee; Zack Tellier of Concord as Austin; Brandon Engelskirchen of Jefferson, Ga., as Saul Kimmer; and Maddy Auchter of Houston, Texas, as Mom.
Crew members include Maggie Saunders of Huntington, W.Va., stage manager; Leanna Hicks of Richmond, Va., assistant stage manager; Jacquelyn Loy of Burlington, costume designer; Professor Christopher Zink, lighting design; and Professor David Pulliam, set design.
Leanna Hicks is a sophomore at Catawba.