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University of Evansville Theatre Re-Opens Shanklin Theatre with "Everybody", by Branden Jacobs Jenkins

Evansville, IN (09/30/2021) — The University of Evansville (UE) Department of Theatre opens their 2021-2022 season with Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Everybody, on Thursday, Sept. 30, at 7:30 p.m. in Shanklin Theatre. Additional performances are at 7:30 p.m. on October 1-2 and at 2:00 p.m. on October 3.

A finalist for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize in Drama, this innovative play is an immersive and inclusive experience for the cast and audience-as actors draw lots onstage to discover which role they will play at each performance. This brilliant, award-winning playwright gives us a modern take on Everyman, a 15th-century morality play. His inventive interpretation is a provocative and joyful romp about love and death, a whimsical look into the unknown, and, ultimately, an exploration of the ties that bind us on this wondrous journey called life. Who knew that death could be so fun? And absurdly funny!

Stacey Yen, visiting assistant professor of acting, directs Everybody. Austin C. Kuhn, guest artist and 2020 alumnus, serves as the scenic designer; assistant professor Sarah J. Smith serves as the costume designer; associate professor Stephen Boulmetis serves as the lighting designer; Sid McCarty, guest artist and 2020 alumna, serves as the sound designer; Liv Darshani Pedersen, a senior stage management major from Chasaka, Minnesota, serves as the dramaturg; and Zoe Paraskevopoulos, a junior stage management major from Flower Mound, Texas, serves as the stage manager. The company features David Akinwande, a junior performance major from Houston, Texas; Liv Campbell, a senior performance major from Kingwood, Texas; Jake Conrad, a junior performance major from Olympia, Washington; Kayleigh Doyle, a senior performance major from McKinney, Texas; Garrett Hale, a sophomore performance major from Haslet, Texas; Delanie Kitzman, a senior performance major from Tomball, Texas; Eli Lomax, a senior performance major from Sellersburg, Indiana; Becky Rusch, a senior performance major from Newark, Delaware; Gabriel Smothers, a junior performance major from Casper, Wyoming; and Allie Marie Wheeless, a sophomore theatre management major from Midland, Texas.

In following industry standards as established by the Broadway League, all audience members must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result taken within 72 hours of the date on their ticket. Upon arrival at Shanklin Theatre, proof of vaccination/negative test result and an ID will be checked before each performance. In compliance with the UE Coronavirus Task Force guidelines, all audience members must remain masked while indoors on campus. Additionally, Shanklin Theatre will be seated at no more than 50% capacity.

Season tickets are available now at $45 for adults and $40 for senior adults, students, and UE faculty and staff. Single ticket prices for Everybody, Three Sisters, and Gone Missing are $20 for adults and $18 for senior adults, students, and UE faculty and staff. UE students may obtain one free student rush ticket beginning at 12:00 p.m. on the day of the performance they wish to attend. Tickets may be purchased by calling (812) 488-2031, Monday through Friday, from 12:00-5:00 p.m.

Students at the University of Evansville shape powerful and enduring change. UE is the first in Indiana to be designated as an Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, and its changemaking culture empowers students to improve the world around them as UE Changemakers. UE has an array of majors in business; engineering; the arts and sciences; and health science programs. UE has a diverse student body that represents 44 states and 52 countries. U.S. News & World Report recognizes UE as the #4 Best Regional University in the Midwest. For more information, please visit evansville.edu.