Southeastern Theatre to present ‘Blood Wedding’
Contact: Rene Abadie
Date: February 19, 2013
HAMMOND – The spring theatre season at Southeastern Louisiana University begins with "Blood
Wedding," a story of betrayed love and family conflicts, scheduled at the university's
Vonnie Borden Theatre on Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 7:30 p.m.
Written by Spanish playwright Federico Garcia Lorca in 1932, the tragedy will
be run through Friday, March 1. General admission tickets are $10; $6 for Southeastern
faculty and staff, seniors and non-Southeastern students; and Southeastern students
are admitted free with university I.D.
Tickets are available at the Vonnie Borden box office in D Vickers Hall, 985-549-2115.
The box office will be staffed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and sales will resume at 6:30
p.m. on performance nights.
First performed in Madrid in 1933, Lorca's play was a popular success and was
the first part of a triology of the "Spanish earth" that he planned to write. The
play is recognized for its incorporation of song, music and poetry in its action.
"Blood Wedding" is directed by Samuel Sparks, who most recently served as visiting
director at Rice University in Houston.
"It is a pleasure to work with such dedicated colleagues and students on such
a difficult play," said Sparks. The Southeastern community is fortunate to have a
theatre program willing to take on this material. The audience is in for a unique
experience.
Sparks, who holds a master of fine arts degree in directing from the University
of Houston, is currently the chair of the Theatre History, Theory, Criticism and Literature
Committee and the Chair of the Publications Committee for the Southeastern Theatre
Conference.
"The play is inspired by actual events Lorca read about in a newspaper," Sparks
explained. "Through the rich imagery, the characters paint for the audience the landscape
of southern Spain. There are farmers and laborers who work the fields and in the play
come together for the celebration of the wedding of the Bride and Bridegrom.
"Lorca uses titles to name his characters – Mother, Father, First Girl, etc.
– giving them mythical stature," Sparks added. "Only one character, Leonardo, has
a name. I chose this translation by Lillian Groag because it captures Lorca's delicate
rhythms and preserves his heightened action.
The main female role of the Mother is played by Janna Baza of Abita Springs,
while Joe Matherine of Luling plays the Bridegroom and Chelsea Krause of Baton Rouge
plays the Bride. The role of Leonardo is performed by Joshua Austin of Ponchatoula.
The cast also includes: Jessica Loyd of Franklinton (Neighbor); Veronica Gutierrez,
New Orleans, (Mother-in-Law); Emily Nodine (Wife), Krystall Ingalls (First Girl),
and Matt Gutierrez (Third Youth), all of Central; Terri'ance Johnson (Maid), New Orleans;
Richard Kemp (Father, Third Woodcutter) and Harli Manuel (Wedding Guest), Baton Rouge;
Alexa Johnson (Second Girl), and Kyle French (First Youth, First Woodcutter), Slidell;
Taylor Michel (Wedding Guest, Second Woodcutter), LaPlace; Colby Bankston (Moon),
Denham Springs; and Katy Truluck (Third Girl), Ponchatoula.
The set was designed by Dale Newkirk, associate professor of art. Technical crew
for the play include: instructor Cody Stockstill, costume design, and senior Lynsey
Manley, lighting.
