SRU’s Theatre Department to perform ‘Astronots’ Oct. 18-23

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Student actors in costume

From left, cast members of SRU's “Astronots” include Joseph Digney, Maddee Young, Eddy Niessner, Sarah Ball and Tyrese Riggins.

Oct. 16, 2024

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Slippery Rock University's Theatre Department will present its newest production titled "Astronots" with five shows Oct. 18-23 at the Stoner East Black Box Theater.

Written by playwright Mora Harris and directed by Laura Smiley, a SRU associate professor of theatre, "Astronots" follows billionaire CEO Alston Garth as he invites four lucky contest winners on a scenic orbit around Earth in an unmanned craft. When he reveals a larger adventure, the passengers scramble to reverse course, uncertain of their fate, while Alston insists he selected only those prepared to leave Earth behind.

Show times and dates are 7:30 p.m., Oct. 18-19 and Oct. 22-23, and 2 p.m., Oct. 20. Tickets are $12 for SRU students and $14 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased online at sru.edu/tickets or in-person at the Stoner East ticket counter up to one hour before each performance.

"We had so much fun creating the world of this play, including playing with weightlessness," said Smiley. "'This play grapples with complex themes through a darkly humorous lens, and this is the perfect time for it. We want to tell stories about being compassionate to ourselves and to each other, and about working together despite our differences. That is an important message for everyone to take away."

The cast of "Astronots" includes:

  • Eddy Niessner, a senior acting major from Johnstown, plays the role of Alston Garth.
  • Sarah Ball, a senior acting major from Lakeside, California, plays the role of Sage Warmack.
  • Maddee Young, a sophomore acting major from Denton, Texas, plays the role of Faith Sherwood.
  • Joseph Digney, a sophomore acting major from Marysville, Ohio, plays the role of Wieland de Julio.
  • Mikayla Keyes, a junior acting major from Pittsburgh, plays the role of Hindy Hordiner.
  • Tyrese Riggins, a sophomore acting major from Beaver Falls, plays the role of Reginald Walker.
  • Hermes Johns, a freshman acting major from Lusby, Maryland, plays the role of Cameron Walker.
  • Connor McCracken, a freshman acting major from New Brighton, as an understudy.
  • Maria Blas, a freshman acting major from Montoursville, as an understudy.
  • Ellie Weaver, a freshman acting major from Mechanicsburg, as an understudy.
  • Carson Petras, a sophomore theatre major from North Huntington, as an understudy.
  • Maria Squyres, a junior dual secondary education and acting major from Butler, as an understudy.
  • Daniel Haubenreich, a junior theatre major from Lindenhurst, New York, as an understudy.
  • Cam Sims, a sophomore acting major from Williamsport, as an understudy.

The creative team for "Astronots" includes:

  • Laura Smiley, an SRU associate professor of theatre, as the director.
  • Jess Holliday, a sophomore acting major from Annandale, New Jersey, as the assistant director.
  • Sam Kuchta, an SRU assistant professor of theatre, as the scenic and lighting designer.
  • Lexi Gibbs, a junior theatre major from Ellwood City, as the stage manager.
  • Michael Boone, SRU technical director.
  • Alex Barnhart, SRU assistant technical director.
  • Sofie Marino, a junior acting major from Sugar Land, Texas, as the costume designer.
  • Mary Hodson, SRU costumer coordinator.
  • Isaac Smith, a junior theatre major from Edinboro, as the sound designer.
  • Hailey Rodgers, a freshmanacting major from Aurora, Colorado, as the propmaster.
  • Maggie Mitchell, a sophomore theatre major from Ambridge, as the assistant stage manager.
  • David McGrogan, a junior acting major from Carnegie, as the assistant stage manager.
  • Michael Rodriguez, a freshman acting major from Philipsburg, as the assistant stage manager.
  • Burton Tedesco, an SRU assistant professor of theatre, as the intimacy and fight choreographer.
  • Kari-Anne Innes, an SRU assistant professor of theatre, as the box office coordinator.
  • Kadence Storms, a sophomore theatre major from Shohola, as the student box office manager.
  • Mary Narvett, a freshman dual strategic communication and acting major from Baden, as the house manager.
  • Benjamin Porter, a juniorsocial work major from Kittanning, as the head usher.
  • Maya Hope, as the publicist.
  • Rachel Dercola, a senior theatre major from Sykesville, Maryland, as the public relations coordinator.

For more information about theatre programs at SRU, visit the Theatre Departments webpage.

MEDIA CONTACT: Aaliyah Thomas | 724.738.4854 | news@sru.edu

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