"The Shape of Things" to Take Stage at UNA

Apr. 5, 2011

FLORENCE, Ala. – Love, relationships, art, honesty and seduction are a few of the themes that will come up in the 2001 Neil LaBute play “The Shape of Things” April 7-9 at 7:30 each evening at the University of North Alabama’s Norton Auditorium.

The play, which takes place in the mid-to-late 1990s in the American Midwest, follows the lives of four college students. When Adam meets a young woman named Evelyn, she begins to change Adam’s appearance and attitude to become the perfect man. The story focuses on how these changes affect Adam’s relationship with Evelyn but also with his two best friends, Phil and Jenny, an engaged couple.

“For the first time, students will be able to see something that very much relates to them and something they could see in a movie or television show,” said UNA student Brinna Brown, assistant director and stage manager. “This play is marketed directly toward them and is in a lot of ways a show that is completely about [students].”

Directed by UNA junior and theatre major Tim Spearing, “The Shape of Things” will feature digital projection from the UNA film and digital media program, as well as limited seating to ensure a more intimate theater setting. The Department of Music and Theatre has presented several smaller plays instead of one large production this spring to prepare for the final construction of the black box theater in 2012.

“This is a very unique opportunity for a student director to direct a full-length play, as you don’t get that at a lot of other schools,” said Dr. David Ruebhausen, associate professor of theatre. “When the black box theatre opens, we hope to do more student-directed performances.”

Admission to the play is $5 for students, faculty and staff and $10 for the general public. Tickets will be available at the door. For more information, contact the Department of Music and Theatre at 256-765-4516.

“The Shape of Things” cast includes:

Forrest Harlan, of Florence – Adam

Haley Prestridge, of Jasper – Evelyn

Max Raybon, of Tuscumbia – Phil

Harrison Chambliss, of Birmingham – Jenny

“The Shape of Things” production cast includes:

Tim Spearing, of Hazel Green – Director

Brinna Brown, of Florence – Assistant Director/Stage Manager

Brittany James, of Russellville – Costume Designer