COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
CAST
Mark.....................................................Cedrick Cooper
Cheryl................................................... Kerri Simmons
Nadine........................................................Beth Paxton
CREW
Stage Manager............................................Sara Hilton
Asst. stage manager..................................Dodge Dixon
Light Board Operator.................................Drake Dial
Sound Board Operator..............................Dodge Dixon
Scenic Design............................................Curtis Smoak
Lighting Design..............Curtis Smoak & Nicole Bellas
Sound Design........................................... Nicole Bellas
STILL LIFE is presented by special arrangement with
Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.
STILL LIFE was first presented at the Goodman Theatre in
Chicago, Illinois, Gregory Mosher, Artistic Director.
STILL LIFE was produced at the American Place Theatre,
Women’s Project, February 1981.
FROM THE DIRECTOR
In this play, the option to go insane is better than living in the
current realities of America recovering from the Vietnam War. Emily
Mann’s Still Life is very unique, because it is set up documentary
style. Therefore, the characters are constantly breaking the fourth
wall, which gives the audience a more intimate experience of
the character’s struggles throughout the play. Consequently, the
audience is seemingly getting the real life struggle of a veteran
who faced an extremely intense war, followed by how it is affecting
the home life, as well.
I’m using this story to incorporate it into a current America that
is recovering from the effects of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
There are plenty of Veterans facing the same mental breakdown
that Mark, in this play, is fighting to heal. I was in the Marine Corps
myself for eight years and deployed three times between Iraq and
Afghanistan. Thus, I have known plenty of Marines who are facing
these same symptoms of war. In fact, suicide amongst veterans is
currently on the rise; thus, using this play as a platform to bring
awareness to post traumatic stress is all too relevant given the
current circumstances.
I hope you enjoy this thrilling rollercoaster of Still Life.
Semper Fidelis,
Leroy Kelly
director’s thanks
Sarah Barker for helping me direct the play; GG Woods for helping
me resurrect my love for theatre; Alison McNeely for teaching me
the love of theatre at Spring Valley High; my family; and, my fellow
Marines!
ON STAGE NOW!
UP NEXT AT THE LAB
April 21-24
Five Women Wearing
the Same Dress
By Alan Ball
Directed by Abigail McNeely
Oscar-winning screenwriter Alan Ball
(American Beauty, Six Feet Under) began
his career writing for the stage with this
wickedly funny comedy. While the events
of an over-the-top wedding are going on
offstage, five members of the bridal party
meet in the maid-of-honor’s bedroom to
commiserate about the hideous outfits,
the forced festivities, and an especially
lecherous wedding guest named Tommy.
After the pumps come off, and as the
champagne begins to flow, the five women
discover a common bond they never
expected. “An irreverent and funny look at
the intricacies of friendship and the power
of similar dressing.” — NY Post
Five Women Wearing the Same Dress contains adult language
which may not be suitable for children.