TXST's Department of Theatre & Dance Presents Escobar's Hippo
October 22, 2024
By Lauren Jurgemeyer
Publicity Coordinator
Department of Theatre & Dance
San Marcos, TX— Texas State Department of Theatre and Dance presents Franky D. Gonzalez’s Escobar’s Hippo, Oct. 29-Nov. 3 in the Theatre Center Mainstage.
A new play developed during the 21st annual Black and Latino Playwrights Celebration at Texas State, this production delves into the chaos that ensues in a Colombian town along the Magdalena River after a flatulent, destructive hippo disrupts the community.
As people transform into hippos, the situation escalates into a revolution of Hipposapiens overtaking humans. Amidst this unfolding crisis, three friends attempt to understand the connection between the hippos and a notorious drug lord. Through absurdity and comedy, this play explores the very serious and deadly consequences of surrendering humanity in favor of bestial urges and self-gratification.
Director Ana Martinez Medina, a second-year MFA student, the cast features Gianni Treviño (Bernardo), Omari Crocker (Juan), Elisa Pedraza Sanchez (Dalia), Branson Williams (Mayor), Maria Melendez Troconis (Narrator), and Britney Huguley, Emilio Amaya, Sa'Nyah Crockett, Maya Amador, and Natoz Walker as townspeople, with Christopher Hernandez and Carlos Baltierrez as puppeteers.
The creative team includes Max Estudillo Cantu, scenic designer; Ruby Luna Rojas, guest costume designer; Alyssa Gonzalez, lighting designer; Kaelyn Miller, sound designer; Cade Huslig, technical director; and Kayla Alonzo, production stage manager.
The run will feature two special events. The production will host a Moo Deng-themed Halloween costume contest on Thursday evening with fun and prizes. For more information, click here. ASL interpreters and a post-show talkback with the playwright will accompany the Saturday performance.
Escobar’s Hippo runs Oct. 29-Nov. 3 in the Theatre Center Mainstage. Tickets range from $10 to $15 and can be purchased online at www.txstatepresents.com.
October 29-November 3, 2024
TUESDAY, October 29 at 7:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, October 30 at 7:30 PM
THURSDAY, October 31 at 7:30 PM*
FRIDAY, November 1, at 7:30 PM
SATURDAY, November 2 at 7:30 PM**
SUNDAY, November 3 at 2:00 PM
*Hippo’s Halloween Costume Contest
**ASL interpreters & Talkback after performance
Ticket Information
Hippo's Halloween Costume Contest
Rules:
- Costumes can not interfere with other audience member's viewing experience
- Costumes must be appropriate
- No weapons or sharp objects
- Your costume must fit within the confines of a single seat.
- Costumes must not extend past the confines of the seating bank.
Grand Prize
- Two Tickets to Sister Act
- Photo Op with the Hippo Puppet
Cast
Bernardo: Gianni Treviño
Juan: Omari Crocker
Dalia: Elisa Pedraza Sanchez
Mayor: Branson Williams
Narrator: Gaby Melendez Troconis
Townspeople: Britney Huguley, Emilio Amaya, Sa’Nyah Crockett, Maya Amador, Natoz Walker
The Hipposapien: Jay Brown
Puppeteers: Christopher Hernandez, Carlos Baltierrez
The Production Team
Director- Ana Martinez Medina
Assistant Director- Tabitha Martinez
Voice/Dialect Coach- Kate Dentino-Glasheen
Production Stage Manager- Kayla Alonzo
Assistant Stage Managers- Josh Treviño Jr.,KayCi Wolf
Rehearsal Assistant Stage Manager- Myles Rodriguez
Production Assistants- Annabelle Lopez, Inna Hunt, Elizabeth Moreno, Samara Gonzalez, Madeleine Glauser, Elliot Koch, Janae Payton
Scenic Designer- Maximiliano Estudillo Cantu
Costume Designer- Ruby Luna Rojas
Lighting Designer- Alyssa Gonzalez
Assistant Lighting Designer-Oscar Hough
Sound Designer- Kaelyn Miller
Assistant Sound Designer / Engineer- Trinity Lee
Assistant Audio Engineer- D’Anthony Simmons
Technical Director- Cade Huslig
Assistant Technical Director- Aiden Lamontagne
Theatre Center Scene Shop Supervisor- Edward Kohler
Carpenters- Olivia Dockens, Chase Marrs, Bailey Baker
Deck Crew- Kirstin Sikes, Marc Aldridge, Elle Schmal, Becca Rudloff
Charge Artist- Courtney Winkelman
Assistant Charge Artist- Marsail Abuaita
Scenic Artist- Maximiliano Estudillo Cantu
Scenic Painters- Ariana Bruhn, Ivy Clamons, Olivia Dockens, Danny Drysdale, Jessie Flam, Mj Kelly, Sydney Lafferty, Savannah Marshall, Becca Rudloff, Madison Smith, Reese Van Osten, Emily Cook, Janae Payton, Jacob Huerta
Paint Production Assistants- Marsail Abuaita, Emily Cook, Reese Van Osten
Head Rigger- Audrey McGovern
Scene Shop Volunteers- Jacob Jones, Johnny Eathorne
Head Electrician- Ben McKee
Assistant Electrician/Programmer/BO- Ethan Bauer
Light Board Op- Jaiden Blair
Deck Electrician- Lance Wiggins
Sound Board Op- Eric Soto
Properties Supervisor- Jordan Kelly Andrews
Assistant Properties Supervisor- Sara Mendoza
Puppet Leads- Madison Montagne, Emily Cook
Prop Artisans- Emily Cook, Kaitlyn Hartnagel, Audrey Smith, Danny Drysdale, Lani Clay, Michael Gualt, Andrea Alviar, Myles Rodriguez, Madison Montagne, Giana Michaud, Becca Rudloff, D’Anthony Simmons, Talia Hammerman
Costume Director- Monica Pasut
Cutter/Draper- Hannah Blalock Choat
Overhire Draper- Alexandra Hargett
First Hands- Nikki Hernandez, Allie Hildebran, & Nina Haurani
Stitchers- Hallie Davis, Natasha Newton, Theo Ontiveros-Dravigne, Kennedy Sanchez, Reagan Ramsey, Jade Garcia, Lauren Dane, Trinity Lee, Mj Kelly, Audrey Smith, Carmella Castruccio, Sarah Marek, Gabby Strickler, Jaydon Brown
Craft Artisans- Sara Mendoza, Elliot Koch
Wardrobe Supervisor- Lauren Dane
Wardrobe Crew- Isa Trevino, Zachary Walker
Shadow Crew- Jaiden Blair
Production Advisors & Staff
Directing Advisors- Andy Park, Dr. Ana Martinez; Stage Management Advisor- Leigh’Ann Andrews; Scenic Advisor- Michelle Ney; Lighting Advisor- Brandon Rosen; Sound Advisor- Scott Murdock; Technical Direction Advisor- Colin Shay; Properties Advisor- Jordan Kelly Andrews; Theatre Center Scene Shop Supervisor- Edward Kohler; Paint Advisor- Courtney Winkelmen; Costume Director- Monica Pasut; Cutter/Draper- Hannah Blalock Choat; Wardrobe Advisor- Monica Pasut; Box Office Manager- Robert Styers; Publicity Coordinator- Lauren Jurgemeyer; Director of Production- Lesley Fairman
For more information about this story or other news, email Lauren Jurgemeyer, publicity coordinator for the Department of Theatre & Dance, at theatre@txstate.edu.
About the Department of Theatre & Dance
Recently ranked #25 in the World by Hollywood Reporter, Texas State's Department of Theatre and Dance has one of the nation's largest and most notable fine arts departments. With a vibrant and active faculty of industry professionals, the department prepares students for successful careers in the entertainment industry. The department's mission is to nurture the next generation of collaborative, curious, and civically engaged artists, educators, and scholars.