HammKodi James
Endgame
by Samuel Beckett
April 5th & 7th @ 7:30pm April 9th @ 2pm
Sam Houston State University’s Department of Theatre and Musical Theatre is especially proud to produce a series of student directed shows as part of our main season. The Directors’ Debut Series is a barebones approach to theatre that allows the student to hone their directing skills by telling the story as set down by the playwright through analysis and character creation with actors. Though minimally supported in the area of technical theatre and design, these productions are beautiful, imaginative and powerful. Student director faculty advisor, Patrick Pearson, Assistant Professor of Theatre says, “The Directors’ Debut series gives students with strong potential as directors the opportunity to find their voice and build their aesthetic as artists.” The Directors’ Debut Series will be presented in repertory live in the Showcase Theatre April 5-9, 2022 with 7:30 p.m. showings each evening as well as a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee option.
ENDGAME: It’s an understatement to say family relationships are dysfunctional in Samuel Beckett’s 1957 absurdist play, Endgame. Inside an empty house on the edge of the apocalypse we find Hamm, a paralyzed man seated in a stained armchair, who has trapped his parents inside dustbins. A pinnacle of Beckett's characteristic raw minimalism, Endgame is a pure and devastating summation of the human experience in the face of approaching death. In true Beckett form, hardly anything happens, yet there is so much going on. The entire action takes place in a blank interior where Hamm, a blind man unable to stand, and his servant Clov go through their daily routine as they await the end of time. Endgame is directed by senior theatre major, Zach Marullo and runs April 5, 7, & 9.
Tickets are $12 if purchased in advance, $15 at the door. SHSU faculty and staff can get one free ticket when booking online at www.shsutickets.com. SHSU students can obtain one free ticket the week of the show at www.shsutickets.com. For ticket information, please email the box office at tickets@shsu.edu or call us at 936-294-2339. Visit www.shsutickets.com to purchase your tickets online.
The Showcase Theatre is located in the University Theatre Center at 1740 Bobby K. Marks Drive and 17th street between the Newton Gresham Library and the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center.
A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Directing Endgame by Samuel Beckett has been a thrill. I chose to direct this show because I love a good challenge. Every day I am learning something new about Samuel Beckett and the world of absurdism. The theatre of the Absurd began post World War II. Many European playwrights hopped on this trend with the main thought in mind; life is meaningless. Absurdism is the human instinct to want to find meaning but not being able to, due to inhabiting a meaningless world. We find meaning here on Earth whether it be religion, morals, and even each other but the world that this play is set in, is not the world we live in today. It is desolate, dark, and lifeless. Beckett did not intend for this show to be a thought-provoking show where you piece the puzzle pieces together and try to make sense of it. This show is meant to be an experience, where you sit and just experience the strong-willed efforts of these suffering characters trying to find meaning in a lifeless world. Perhaps you will relate to these tragic fools because our lives here on Earth is never certain. Perhaps you yourself will start to wonder what’s your endgame.
Meet the Cast & Creatives
Clov
Nell
Director
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Scenic DesignKodi James
Hamm
Kodi is a senior theatre major from Wharton, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember him as an ensemble member in All in the Timing, Brakenbury/Christopher/Citizen in Richard III. At
other institutions, he has appeared as Young Frankenstein, Steve/ Beverly in August: Osage County, and as Boolie in Driving Miss Daisy. Upon graduation, Kodi plans to pursue a career in acting and directing.
Mitchell Bauer
Clov
Mitchell is a senior theatre major from Friendswood, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember his as York/Messenger 4/Citizen 1
from Richard III. At other institutions, he has participated in Les MiseĢrables, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Romeo & Juliet. Upon graduation, Mitchell plans to pursue a career in acting.
Seth Casias
Nagg
Seth is a junior theatre major from San Antonio, Texas. This is his debut to the SHSU stage! At other institutions, he has appeared
as Bobchinsky in The Government Inspector, Mr. Van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank, and was the assistant stage manager for Never the Sinner. Upon graduation, Seth plans to pursue a career in acting and directing.
Laura Kennedy
Nell
Laura is a junior theatre major from Tomball, Texas. This is
her debut to the SHSU stage! At other institutions, she has appeared as Quincy in Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play, Quince in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and as Janet in The Children’s Hour. Upon graduation, Laura plans to pursue a career in acting.
Zach Marullo
Director
Zach is a senior theatre major from Needville, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember him as Father Thomas in Creature, a member of the ensemble in All in the Timing, Clarence/Citizen 3/Blunt/Norfolk in Richard III and as an ensemble member in Sonnets for an Old Century, a Swing in Everybody and as Ferdinand in Love’s Labour’s Lost. Upon graduation, Zach plans to pursue a career in acting and directing.
Grace Maynard
Stage Manager
Grace is a junior theatre major from Houston, Texas. Her SHSU credits include run crew for Sweat and assistant stage manager
for All in the Timing and Richard III. At other institutions, she
has appeared as Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods, Trix in The Drowsy Chaperone and was the Stage Manager for Awake and Sing! Upon graduation, Grace plans to pursue a career in stage and theatre management.
Regan Bobo
Assistant Stage Manager
Regan is a sophomore theatre major from Heath, Texas. Her SHSU credits include spotlight operator for Violet. Upon graduation, Regan plans to pursue a career in education.
Eric Larson
Assistant Stage Manager
Eric is a sophomore musical theatre major from Austin, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember him as Frank in Hands on a Hardbody, a storyteller in Once on this Island and as a member of the ensemble in Let Me Down Easy. At other institutions, he has appeared as Edward Bloom in Big Fish, Sam Carmichael in Mamma Mia and as Usnavi in In the Heights. Upon graduation, Eric plans to pursue a career in acting, and design.
Nadya Mercado
Assistant Stage Manager
Nadya is a sophomore theatre major from Houston, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember her as a member of the ensemble in All in the Timing, Lina in Cry It Out. At other institutions, she has appeared as Molly in Peter and the Starcatcher and was the sound designer for Romeo & Juliet. Upon graduation, Nadya plans to pursue a career in acting and directing.
Meiriona Maddy
Scenic Design
Meiriona is a sophomore theatre major from Austin, Texas. Her SHSU credits include spotlight operator for Hands on a Hardbody. At other institutions, she has been the scenic crew head for Jekyll & Hyde, and Grand Hotel. Upon graduation, Meiriona plans to pursue a career in scenic design.