November 3, 2006 - The Arkansas State University Theatre has announced the cast of the Nov. production of “The Diviners” by James Leonard Jr. It is a play about love, friendship, family and community, and is set in a time in our nation's history when such things were hard to find, and even harder to hold onto. While the rest of the country lies divided and demoralized by the Great Depression, the people of this story manage to weather the storm.

The ASU Theatre’s production of “The Diviners” is under the stage direction of Stacy Alley, assistant professor of theatre. Scenic and lighting design will be under the direction of Jeff McLaughlin, assistant professor of theatre. Kelly Schaefer, assistant professor of theatre, will serve as costume designer. Stage management duties for the production have been assigned to Reanna Pearson, a sophomore theatre major from Alma. Assistant stage manager is Manuel Angeles IV, a sophomore theatre major from Little Rock.

The cast includes Ben Gibson, a sophomore theatre major from Jacksonville as Buddy Layman; Elizabeth Lawson, a junior theatre major from Marion, as Jennie Mae Layman; Paul Harrell, a senior theatre major from Jonesboro, as Ferris Layman; Kyle Hamsher, a senior theatre major from Jacksonville, as C.C. Showers; Haley Rose Grisham, a sophomore theatre major from Sherwood, as Norma Henshaw; Katie Mathis, a freshman theatre major from Corning, as Darlene Henshaw; Whitney Elliott, a junior theatre major from Magnolia, as Goldie Short; Brandon Doty, a senior theatre major from Jonesboro, as Basil Bennett; A.J. Kellum, a sophomore theatre major from Jonesboro, as Luella Bennett; Morgan Henard, a freshman theatre major from Brinkley, as Melvin Wilder; and Chad Bell, a sophomore business administration major from Little Rock.

“The Diviners” will be performed at Fowler Center Nov. 10, 11, 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. A “meet the company” dessert reception will follow the Friday, Nov. 10, opening night performance. Tickets may be purchased for reserved seating in advance at the ASU Central Box Office in the Convocation Center or by calling (870) 972-2781. Tickets are also available online at www.tickets.astate.edu. Reserved seating tickets, if available, may be purchased at the door on the evening of the performance. Ticket prices are $10 at the door or $8 in advance. Advanced reservations are highly recommended.

This play is suitable for family audiences. Children under six years old are not admitted to The ASU Theatre. The ASU Theatre recommends that audience members arrive early. Latecomers will not be seated until intermission.