Recent Theater Productions

A STREET CAR NAMED DESIRE

by Tennessee Williams
October13-15, 2000, Watson Theater

Set in New Orleans, the plays tells the turbulent story of Blanche DuBois, her sister Stella and Stanley, Stella’s brutish husband. The DuBois sisters are the last of a Southern blue-blood family whose background contrasts sharply with the harsh, rundown world they live in. While Stella renounces her roots to pursue her future with Stanley, the neurotic Blanche hangs on to the Old South’s codes of appearance, chivalry, wit and gaiety. The play’s drama occurs when these two opposing worlds collide.

"I picked this play because it is a tragedy that modern society can relate to," said director Tyson Gillespie, a senior theater major from Greenville, SC, who became the first student to direct a play in Coker’s state-of-the-art Watson Theater. "The play’s themes are universal and timeless."

In the Coker production, Visiting Assistant Professor of Dance Michael Nolan portrayed Stanley with junior Kerri Martin as Stella and senior Victoria Cunningham as Blanche. Other cast members included Justin Wood, Christine Mrozinski, Emily Mazzarulli, Shemika Wardlaw, Rachel Page, Matthew Townsend, Dusty Spencer, Richard Lewis, Von Malphrus, Paul Edinger, Sarah Monakes, Jenny Powell, Ray Hodge and Jenny Byrnes.

Summer Beebe was the Stage Manager and Nancy Davis was the Assistant Stage Manager. Costume design was by Lesley Tunstall-Weiner, lighting design was by Adam Weiner and June Scott designed the set.