SRU Theatre presents holiday classic ‘A Christmas Carol’

Erik Warmbein, a sophomore history major from Pittsburgh, portrays Ebenezer Scrooge in the Slippery Rock University Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Carol.” The production, adapted by David Skeele, SRU professor of theatre, will be a 70-minute, no intermission performance. Photos by Elizabeth Linton, a freshman music performance and music therapy major from Cranberry Township.

Nov. 29, 2018

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -Slippery Rock University Theatre will bring Charles Dickens' classic holiday story, "A Christmas Carol" to life at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 30-Dec. 1 and Dec. 3-6. A 2 p.m. matinee is slated for Dec. 2. All performances are in the University Union Multipurpose Room.

The production, adapted by David Skeele, SRU professor of theatre, will be a 70-minute, no intermission performance.

"(David) took Dickens' work and adapted it to the stage and has directed two previous productions ... now I'm picking it up," said Deanna Brookens, an associate professor of theatre and director of this year's production.

Twenty-nine SRU students and a handful of grade school children from Slippery Rock Area Elementary School comprise the cast.

"While the story is a pretty black and white tale of a man who is reformed, something that was really important to me was the poverty of the time period," said Brookens. "I was thinking about how when times are tough financially, we often see people do one of two things: try to preserve themselves by saving their money and serving themselves, such as what Scrooge did, or use the means that they have to help others.

"That's why Charles Dickens was writing this story, to respond to the poverty at the time... This is why this story is so important, because we still see poverty and we have choices as people: help ourselves or help others."

Student cast, artistic staff, crew and staff include:
● Kelli Bampton, master electrician and a sophomore resort, recreation and hospitality major from Reading.
● Naomi Bates, playing the "Ghost of Christmas Past," is a sophomore dual major in dance and theatre from Mercer.
● Deb Cohen, charge painter and a graduate student from Slippery Rock.
● Phoebe Costanza, playing "Mrs. Cratchit" and a "caroler," is a senior theatre major from Cranberry Township.
● Jacob Craig, playing "Husband/Schoolmaster/Undertaker's Man" and a "caroler," is a senior dual major in theatre and philosophy from Monroeville.
● Isabelle DeMarco, playing "Child Scrooge," is a 4th grader attending Slippery Rock Area Elementary School.
● Jenson Dudash, playing a "Cratchit Child," is a 5th grader attending Slippery Rock Area Elementary School.
● Luke Everett, part of the backstage crew, is a sophomore early childhood/special education major from Wexford.
● Frantzi Exantus, playing "Fred (Nephew)," is a senior theatre major from Slippery Rock.
● Garette Fritz, playing "Young Scrooge/Gentleman/Businessman," is a sophomore theatre major from Erie.
● Zachary Geisner, playing "Tiny Tim," a 3rd grader attending Slippery Rock Area Elementary School.
● Sarah Getway, a carpenter, is a senior theatre major from Sharpsville.
● Matthew Gill, props master, is a graduate student from Mercer.
● Rachael Holfelder, playing a "Ghostly Attendant," is a junior theatre major from New Wilmington.
● Victoria Homschek, a lighting designer, is a senior dual major in dance and theatre from Aliquippa.
● Kiersten Hope, an assistant stage manager and office and classroom assistant, is a senior dual major in theatre and philosophy from Vero Beach, Florida.
● Ellie Jedrzejewski, playing a "Cratchit Child," is a 5th grader attending Slippery Rock Area Elementary School.
● Haley Johnson, an alternate, is a sophomore theatre major from Erie.
● Roger Jones, a production stage manager, is a junior dual major in theatre and interdisciplinary programs from New Castle.
● Rachael Katz, a light board operator, dramaturg and alternate, is a sophomore theatre major from Austin, Texas.
● Payton Lewis, playing "Gentlewoman," is a senior theatre major from Cochranville.
● Katelyn Loss, playing "Belle/Wife" and a "caroler," is a freshman theatre major from Montoursville.
● Steven MacDonald, a sound designer and alternate, is a senior theatre major from Pittsburgh.
● Zach Malinak, playing "Jacob Marley," is a senior dual major in theatre and communication from Conway.
● Anne Mayle, an assistant costume designer, costume shop assistant and assistant box office manage, is a senior theatre major from Pittsburgh.
● Leota McDivitt, wardrobe crew, is a junior theatre major from Ford City.
● Savannah Merrill, a public relations representative, is a junior dual major in management and theatre from Munhall.
● Samantha Misterka, playing "Bridget (Nephew's Wife)/Laundress," is a junior dual major in secondary education-English and theatre from Pittsburgh.
● Ben Mumaw, playing a "Cratchit Child," is a 2nd grader attending Slippery Rock Area Elementary School.
● Riley Parise, playing "Margaret Cratchit" and a "caroler," is a sophomore philosophy major from Lake City.
● Anna Potter, playing "Fan/Businesswoman," is a freshman English writing major from Grove City.
● Isha Rao, playing a "Ghostly Attendant," is a classroom assistant, and a junior theatre major from Mumbai, India.
● Noah Reed, playing "Peter Crachit/Dick Wilkins" and a "caroler," is a sophomore theatre major from Slippery Rock.
● Jack Reeves, playing "Bob Cratchit," is a junior communication major from Washington.
● Liz Sherman, wardrobe crew, is a freshman theatre major from Cayuga, New York.
● Laura Shope, an assistant stage manager, is a sophomore mathematics major from Venetia.
● Ben Shumway, backstage crew, is a freshman theatre major from Slippery Rock.
● Dalton Smith, an assistant costume designer, box office manager and classroom assistant, is a senior theatre major from Mars.
● Shaun Starke, playing "Fezziwig," is an SRU alumnus and community member.
● Bonnette Steffy, playing "Charwoman" and a "caroler," is a sophomore English writing major from Titusville.
● Kristina Streno, playing "Ghost of Christmas Present," is a senior theatre major from Eighty Four.
● Allison Valetta, playing a "Ghostly Attendant," is a senior dual major in theatre and English writing from Kent, Ohio.
● David Verelst, an assistant scene designer and carpenter, is a sophomore theatre major from Shunk.
● Lauren Wallace, playing "Hannah (Nephew's Daughter)," is a 5th grader attending Slippery Rock Area Elementary School.
● Erik Warmbein, playing "Ebenezer Scrooge," is a sophomore history major from Pittsburgh.
● Noah Welter, a sound board operator, is a senior communication major from Freedom.
● Libby White, playing "Boy," is a 5th grader attending Slippery Rock Area Elementary School.
● Madison Wick, playing "Ali Baba/Robinson Crusoe/Old Josie" and a "caroler," is a sophomore art major from Grove City.
● Allison Wills, house manager, is a sophomore theatre major from Perry, Ohio.
● Zach Zehner, playing "Ghost of Christmas Future," is a senior English literature major from Sharon.

Tickets are $12 for general admission and $10 for SRU students and children under 18. A "Community Night" admission of $10 for all attendees is scheduled for the Dec. 1 performance.

Tickets can be purchased at the Smith Student Information Desk, by calling 724.738.4926 or the University Union Box Office.

MEDIA CONTACT: Lesa Bressanelli | 724.738.2091 | lnb1009@sru.edu