TXST's Department of Theatre & Dance Presents Thornton Wilder’s Our Town

September 20, 2024

Our Town Banner

By Lauren Jurgemeyer

Publicity Coordinator

Department of Theatre & Dance

SAN MARCOS, TX— Texas State Department of Theatre and Dance presents the American classic Our Town October 1-6 in the Patti Strickel Harrison Theatre.

Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play explores life in the quaint fictional town of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire. Hailed as one of the greatest American plays ever written, Our Town is rooted in everyday life. The omnipotent Stage Manager guides the audience, immersing them in a story of love, loss, and time. 

Directed by Neil Patrick Stewart, Our Town features Texas State alumnus and Broadway veteran Eugene Lee in the iconic role of the Stage Manager. Joining Lee on the stage as members of the two central families: Nicholas May (George Gibbs), Illiana Perez (Emily Webb), Kevin Engel (Dr. Gibbs), Ronisha Reneus (Mrs. Gibbs), Drew Dunson (Mr. Webb), Olivia Rodriguez Smith (Mrs. Webb), Meagan Majors (Rebecca Gibbs), and Jack Penzola (Wally Web).

Rounding out the inhabitants of Grover’s Corners are Cosi Arthurs, Sammy Arungwa, Nathan Bachtell, Silas Read Boone, Miguel Gaytan, Jakob Jankowski, Oliver Knight, Michelle Ko, Faraz Mobli, and Colby Raasch.  

The creative team includes Emma Hansen Bayless, scenic designer; Jack A. Smith, costume designer; Paige Blackwell, lighting designer; Cody Rodriguez, sound designer; Isha Patel, dramaturg; and Ileanna Villalobos, production stage manager.  

Our Town invites audiences to reflect on the beauty of everyday life and the connections that bind us all. Performances run October 1-6 in the Patti Strickel Harrison Theatre. Tickets range from $11 to $22 and can be purchased online at www.txstatepresents.com

our town square

October 1-6, 2024

TUESDAY, October 1 at 7:30 pm
WEDNESDAY, October 2 at 7:30 pm
THURSDAY, October 3 at 7:30 pm
FRIDAY, October 4 at 7:30 pm
SATURDAY, October 5 at 7:30 pm
SUNDAY, October 6 at 2:00 pm 

Ticket Information

Public: $22
TXST Faculty / Staff: $19
TXST Student: $11
Groups (10+): $19

The Cast

Stage Manager- Eugene Lee
Emily Webb- Illiana Perez
George Gibbs- Nicholas May
Mrs. Webb- Olivia Rodriguez Smith
Mrs. Gibbs- Ronisha Reneus
Mr. Webb- Drew Dunson
Dr. Gibbs- Kevin Engel
Wally Webb- Jack Penzola
Rebecca Gibbs- Meagan Majors 
Joe Crowell- Jakob Jankowski
Howie Newsome- Silas Read Boone
Simon Stimson- Miguel Gaytan 
Professor Willard/Baseball Player- Colby Raasch
Lady in the Box/Woman Among the Dead- Cosi Arthurs
Mrs. Soames/Woman in the Balcony- Michelle Ko 
Constable Warren/Joe Stoddard- Oliver Knight 
Si Crowell/Baseball Player/Various- Nathan Bachtell
Sam Craig/Baseball Player- Faraz Mobli 
Ghost- Sammy Arungwa

The Production Team

Director- Neil Patrick Stewart
Assistant Directors- Robby Sciortino, Llailan Bennett
Movement Coordinator- Olivia Rodriguez Smith
Student Music Director- Michelle Ko
Dramaturg- Isha Patel
Voice/Dialect Coach- Kate Glasheen
Production Stage Manager- Ileanna Villalobos
Assistant Stage Managers- Oscar Hough, Kierstyn Born
Production Assistants- Madi Rivas, Elizabeth Mair, Marwa Habibi, Jayla Thomas
Scenic Designer- Emma Hansen Bayless
Costume Designer- Jack A. Smith
Assistant Costume Designer- Ariana Bruhn
Lighting Designer- Paige Blackwell
Assistant Lighting Designer- Brittany Baugh
Sound Designer- Cody Rodriguez     
Assistant Sound Designer/Engineer- Catherine Kenner 
Technical Director- Colin Shay   
Assistant Technical Director- Mackenzie Cooper   
P.A.C. Scene Shop Supervisor- Dwight Markus   
Assistant Scene Shop Supervisor- Cade Huslig, Quinn Kent   
Carpentry Production Assistants- Madison Montagne, Matt Fields, Madison Christopher   
Carpenters-Tim White, Mackenzie Cooper, Nathan Bailey, Catcher Reeves, Kent Mascheck, Jaxson Bagley   
Production Welder- Edward Kohler   
Deck Crew- Summer Ritzenthaler, Jacob Huerta   
Charge Scenic Artist- Courtney Winkelman 
Scenic Painters- Max Estudillo Cantú, Ariana Bruhn, Olivia Dockens, Danny Drysdale, Jessie Flam, Mj Kelly, Sydney Lafferty, Savannah Marshall, Becca Rudloff, Madison Smith, Reese Van Osten, Janae Payton, Jacob Huerta, Mason Wentz    
 
Paint Production Assistants-Emily Cook, Reese Van Osten, Marsail Abuaita    
Head Fly/Rigger- Mackenzie Cooper    
Fly Crew- Lance Berry    
Head Electrician- Audrey McGovern    
Assistant Head Electrician/Lead Spot- Guillermo Sanchez    
Programmer- Ben McKee    
Light Board Op- Jaxon Bagley    
Follow Spot- Catcher Reeves    
Deck Electrician- Kaiya O’Connell    
Electrics Production Assistants- Guillermo Sanchez, Audrey McGovern, Ethan Bauer, Ben McKee    
Electrics Crew- Chase Marrs, Jadelyn Garcia, Myles Rodriguez, Gabe Glinski, Albion Baylis, Elle Schmal, Johnny Eathorne, Kate Gonzales, Wyatt Hood    
Sound Board Op- Elle Schmal    
Properties Manager- Jordan Kelly Andrews    
Prop Artisans- Emily Cook, Kaitlyn Hartnagel, Audrey Smith, Danny Drysdale, Lani Clay, Michael Gault, Andrea Alviar, Myles Rodriguez, Madison Montagne, Giana Michaud, Becca Rudloff, D’Anthony Simmons, Sara Mendoza    
Costume Director- Monica Pasut    
Assistant Costume Shop Manager- Eli Patterson    
Cutter/Draper- Hannah Blalock Choat    
First Hands- Nikki Hernandez, Allie Hildebran, Nina Haurani    
Stitchers- Hallie Davis, Natasha Newton, Theo Ontiveros-Dravigne, Kennedy Sanchez, Reagann Ramsey, Jade Garcia, Lauren Dane, Trinity Lee, Audrey Smith, Carmella Castruccio    
Wardrobe Supervisor- Cel Wackerle    
Wigs/Makeup- Mason Wentz    
Wardrobe Crew- Madeleine Glauser, Jennifer Lim    
Shadow Crew- Joli Skruck

Production Advisors & Staff

Directing Advisor- Neil Patrick Stewart; Dramaturgy Advisor- Dr. Kevin Byrne; Stage Management Advisor- Leigh’Ann Andrews; Scenic Advisor- Cheri Prough DeVol; Costume Advisor- Jack A. Smith; Lighting Advisor- Brandon Rosen; Sound Advisor- Scott Murdock; Technical Direction Advisor- Colin Shay; Properties Advisor- Jordan Kelly Andrews; P.A.C. Scene Shop Supervisor- Dwight Markus; Theatre Center Scene Shop Supervisor- Edward Kohler; Paint Advisor- Courtney Winkelman; Costume Director- Monica Pasut; Cutter/Draper- Hannah Blalock Choat; Wardrobe Advisor- Monica Pasut; Box Office Manager- Robert Styers; A/V/L Supervisor- Eaton Saylor; P.A.C. Operations- Candice Mongellow; 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.