KU News Release

Theatre for Young People presents play about girl’s fantasy life with puppets

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Theatre for Young People will present “Lily Plants a Garden” by José Cruz González next month in the William Inge Memorial Theatre in Murphy Hall.

Performances are at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 5, through Friday, Feb. 9, for first-, second- and third-graders in Lawrence and area rural schools. Public performances are at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11.

Jeanne Klein, associate professor of theatre and film, is director and co-sound designer for the production. Nick Kostner, Murdock graduate student, is scenic and co-sound designer; Jessica Freeman, Shawnee senior, is costume and doll-puppet designer; Chloe M. Wong, Junction City senior, is the lighting designer; and Megan Persinger, Hiawatha senior, is the vocal coach.

Playwright González, an associate professor of theater arts at California State University-Los Angeles, will visit KU on Jan. 25 and 26 to watch rehearsals and work with the cast.

In the play, an impoverished young girl dramatizes a fantasy about her life using puppets. Lily plants a seed and waters it with her tears of sadness and laughter. When prejudice against her grows, she and Mama seek refuge in the Land of Rubble, where Lily nurtures her growing garden as well as Miss Beatrice, a ladybug, and Rosey, a rose flower, and her hungry Mama. Through dramatic play, the young girl comes to recognize the hope she has created through Lily and her garden.

Klein said there are a number of connections between the play and classroom activities, including examining diversity within a culture, society or ecosystem; explaining the differences between wants and needs, explaining what hope is and what we hope for and exploring the difference between human needs and human rights.

General admission tickets for “Lily Plants a Garden” are on sale in the KU ticket offices: University Theatre, 864-3982; Lied Center, 864-ARTS; and Student Union Activities, 864-7469, or online. Tickets are $10 for the public, $5 for students and $9 for senior citizens and KU faculty and staff. VISA and Mastercard are accepted for phone and online orders.

Student cast members and those with production responsibilities are listed below by name, class level and major, parents’ names (when available), high school and role.

BROWN COUNTY
From Hiawatha 66434
Megan Persinger, senior theatre major, daughter of Bill and Kathy Persinger; Hiawatha High School; vocal coach.

BUTLER COUNTY
From Augusta 67010 and Jonesboro, Ark. 72404
Aubree A. Bowen, senior theatre and English major, daughter of Paul and Gail Bowen of Augusta and Lynda and Mike Medlock of Jonesboro, Ark.; Augusta High School; Lily Wuluman, a Zobeing.

GEARY COUNTY
From Junction City 66441
Chloe Wong, senior in theatre design, daughter of Victor and Sandra Wong; Junction City High School; lighting designer.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Overland Park 66212
Nathan R. Totten, junior in journalism and mass communications (strategic communications emphasis), son of Donna Shannon; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School; Papa Wuluman and Shadow, a Zobeing.

From Shawnee 66216
Jessica Freeman, senior in art (basic studies), daughter of Nancy Freeman; Washburn Rural High School, Topeka; costume and doll-puppet designer.

Rebecca Ralstin, sophomore theatre major, daughter of James and Mary Ralstin; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School; Mama Wuluman.

KINGMAN COUNTY
From Murdock 67111
Nick Kostner, master’s degree student in design, son of Tom and Sharon Kostner; Kingman High School; scenic designer and co-sound designer.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67211
Monica Crane, senior communication studies major, daughter of Alan Crane and Anne Crane; Wichita East High School; Young Girl and Rosey, a rose ballerina.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66604 and 66606
Spencer H. Holdren, junior theatre major, son of James and Teresa Turnbull (66606) and Lyle Holdren (66604); Topeka High School; Miss Beatrice, a ladybug; a Wululander; and a Zobeing in uniform.

ARKANSAS
From Jonesboro and Augusta, Kan.
Aubree Bowen. SEE BUTLER COUNTY

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