DoraCaroline McReynolds
The Swan
By Elizabeth Egloff
April 6, 8, & 9 at 7:30pm
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.
THE SWAN: Dora Hand lives isolated on the Nebraska prairie. Having lost three husbands, she seems destined to loneliness – until a swan crashes into her living room window, setting Dora on a harrowing journey. She names the swan Bill, and to all outward appearances, Bill is a charismatic, child-like companion. Dora, the swan and her married boyfriend, Kevin, form a bizarre triangle. At first, Dora treats Bill like a pet she can train. But when Bill quickly learns the ropes of being human: speech, dressing, checkers, beer ... and love for Dora, a passionate tug of war between the two men for Dora's affection is resolved with a rip-roaring, extraterrestrial encounter. All at once, Dora finds herself dangerously entangled with the swan, whose animal devotion to her threatens her already neglected lover and ultimately, her sense of self. The Swan is directed by senior theatre major, Robert Bunn and runs April 6, 8, & 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
“How in the hell could a [person] enjoy being awakened at 6:30 a.m. by an alarm clock, leap out of bed, dress, force-feed, brush teeth and hair, and fight traffic to get to a place where essentially you made lots of money for somebody else and were asked to be grateful for the opportunity to do so?”
- Charles Bukowski
The Swan offers a refreshing look into the mind of Dora Hand. A woman who is caught
in the trapped mindset of systematic thinking. A mindset I have seen infect strong, diverse, creative minds with dysfunctional behavioral expectations of what was once thought of as the ‘American dream’. It’s a story that sheds light on the fragility of societal traditions and acts as a reminder that maybe we aren’t the crazy ones. Instead, we are victims of our circumstances.
-Robert Bunn
Meet the Cast & Creatives
Kevin
Swan
Director
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Lighting Designer
Scenic DesignerCaroline McReynolds
Dora
Caroline is a sophomore theatre major from Georgetown, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember her as Betty #2 in Collective Rage. At other institutions, she has appeared as Jess in Ugly Lies the Bone, and Mother in Let the Right one In. Upon graduation, Caroline plans to pursue a career in acting and directing.
Mac Howard
Kevin
Mac is a sophomore interdisciplinary studies major with emphasis
in theatre, mass communication and marketing from San Marcos, Texas. SHSU audience may remember him as Mitchell in Cry it Out. At other institutions, he has appeared as Peter in Silent Sky, and as Aslan in The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe. Upon graduation, Mac plans to pursue a career in acting, writing, and talent management.
Brandon McCormick
Swan
Brandon is a junior theatre major from Lubbock, Texas. This is his debut to the SHSU stage. At other institutions he has appeared as Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island, and as Harry Domin in Rossum Universal Robots. Upon graduation, Brandon plans to pursue a career in acting.
Robert Bunn
Director
Robert is a senior theatre major from Magnolia, Texas. SHSU audiences may remember him as John in Creature, Buckingham
in Richard III, a Somebody in Everybody, Oscar in Sweat, Peter Van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank, and as Vic in Our Lady of 121st Street. At other institutions, he has appeared as Judge Charlie Cool in The Grass Harp and as Dr. Einstein in Arsenic & Old Lace. Upon graduation, Robert will attend the University of Houston to pursue his MFA in acting.
Zoë Perry
Stage Manager
Zoë is a sophomore theatre major from Frisco, Texas. Her SHSU credits include assistant stage manager for Hands on a Hardbody. At other institutions, she has appeared as Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka: The Musical, and as Freda Benson in The Life & Death of Larry Benson. Upon graduation, Zoë plans to pursue a career in theatre education and professional technical work.
Hannah Rader
Assistant Stage Manager
Hannah is a junior theatre major from Needville, Texas. This is her first show at SHSU. At other institutions, she has appeared as Bessie in The Drowning Girls, Ariel in The Little Mermaid, and as Joy in the Tin Woman. Upon graduation, Hannah plans to pursue a career in theatre education.
Vana Salois
Assistant Stage Manager
Vana is a junior theatre major from Galveston, Texas. This is their first production to participate in at SHSU! At other institutions they have been assistant director, stage manager, and props master for Things I Know To Be True and has appeared as the servant in Blood Wedding, Bailey in The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, and Chloe in Wilderness. Upon graduation, Vana plans to pursue a career in props design and professional technical work.
Rorie Young
Assistant Stage Manager
Rorie is a freshman theatre major from Sulphur Springs, Texas. This is her first production to participate in at SHSU! At
other institutions, she has appeared as Megan Jones in Puffs, Grandmama in The Addams Family and as the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz. Upon graduation, Rorie plans to pursue a career in acting.
Ashley Fairchild
Lighting Designer
Ashley is a junior theatre major from Humble, Texas. Her SHSU credits include assistant scenic designer for A Doctor in Spite of Himself, lighting designer for Jump, the assistant lighting and scenic designer for Once on this Island, and the scenic designer
for Constellations & Town Hall. At other institutions, she has been the scenic designer for Spring Awakening & Student Body as well as the charge artist for The Normal Heart. Upon graduation, Ashley plans to pursue a career in scenic and lighting design.
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.