Shepherd University Theater Department Hosts Playwright Of Student Production

Shepherd University's Department of Contemporary Art & Theater presents Dear by Lily Houghton. Houghton, who worked with the cast during the rehearsal process, will return to Shepherd University to participate in a post-show discussion after the performance on March 31.

With Dear, Houghton examines female rage and what happens when those emotions are targeted towards other women. April has disappeared from her college campus, and her three friends convene in their dorm's shared bathroom to trade theories about her whereabouts and attacks against each other. When April's paper on female serial killers bares striking similarities to their behavior, the students are forced to face their own secrets and rage.

While working with the Shepherd University students, Houghton emphasized that she's "an open book" and shared her impetus for writing the script. She wrote Dear during her father's battle with terminal illness. "I wrote the play when I was furious at world. I was filled with rage over this lack of control over what was happening in my life. That rage is something I wanted to explore."

This will be the first time this version of the script has been performed. After a workshop production at MCC Theater and the world premiere at the University of Michigan, Houghton continued to edit. She rehearsed with Shepherd University students earlier in March and continued to adjust the script based on her interactions and discussions with Shepherd University students. After being involved in three rehearsal processes, Houghton commented that she is "surprised at how violent the play is. This play emphasizes that women are just as capable as men," she continues, "even if that thing is violence."

Dear by Lily Houghton is directed by Charlotte La Nasa, a guest artist from the Saint James School in Hagerstown. The cast consists of Aura Manjarrez, Abby Rice, Michaeala Sensindiver, and Talia Tompkins and is staged managed by Danica Rodrigues, all Shepherd University students.

Shepherd University's Department of Contemporary Art & Theater will present Dear by Lily Houghton March 30-31 and April 5-7 at 7:30pm at the Marinoff Theater. The performance on March 31 will be followed by a post-show discussion with the playwright. Tickets are available at the Marinoff Theater, located at 62 West Campus Drive in Shepherdstown, one hour before the show. Tickets are $10 for the general public and $5 for Shepherd University faculty and staff. Shepherd University student admission is sponsored by Shepherd University's SGA.