Monday, April 4, 2016

UIS Theatre presents "Distracted" by Lisa Loomer

The Theatre Program at the University of Illinois Springfield presents Lisa Loomer’s poignant, funny and provocative play, Distracted, opening Friday, April 22. Six performances will be presented in the Studio Theatre, on the lower level of the Public Affairs Center at UIS, on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, April 22, 23, 24 and Thursday, Friday, Saturday, April 28, 29, 30.

All shows will begin at 7:30 p.m., except the Sunday performance (April 24), which will begin at 2 p.m. A post-show Q&A, part of the ECCE Speaker Series, will follow the April 24 performance.

UIS Associate Professor of Theatre Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson will direct, with scenic design by UIS Assistant Professor of Theatre Dathan Powell and video/image design by UIS Assistant Professor of Digital Media Brytton Bjorngaard.

In Distracted, 9-year-old Jesse can’t focus at school, can’t sit still, and can’t follow directions. Is Jesse simply a typical 9-year-old boy, or is he suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, as his teacher suspects? Jesse’s parents clash over this potential diagnosis, their marriage suffers, and Mom struggles to find a solution amid various health professionals–one of whom wants to prescribe Ritalin. Neighbors and friends all seem to have their own diagnoses–and suggested solutions–none of which seem to work for Jesse and his parents.

The cast includes UIS students Beatrice Bonner, Diamond Dixon, Denise Gibson, Nicholas Jimenez and Liza Torrence. UIS alumni Dwight Langford and Tara McClellan McAndrew are also part of the cast along with community members Will Decker and Meredith Vogel-Thomas.

Ticket prices are $14 for adults; $12 for senior citizens (65 or older with a picture I.D.); $10 for UIS Faculty/Staff; $8 for UIS students (and all other college-level students) with a valid, current i-card or college I.D. card; and $6 for 17 and under. Please note that a service charge from Sangamon Auditorium, not included in the prices above, will be added to each ticket price, at the time of purchase. To avoid a higher service charge, buying tickets in person at the Sangamon Auditorium ticket office is highly recommended. You may also purchase tickets over the phone by calling 217/206-6160.

For more information on the production, please visit the UIS Theatre website at www.uis.edu/theatre.

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