A play exploring the lives of low-wage working Americans will cost only a nickel or a dime to attend. “Nickel and Dimed,” a three-act play, will be presented on Oct. 26-27 and Nov. 2-4 at Rogers State University.
The play begins at 8:06 p.m. in the RSU Will Rogers Auditorium. Tickets are 10 cents for adults, five cents for senior citizens and free to all students and faculty, and may be purchased at the door. Canned food for a charity drive being held by the RSU College Democrats also will be accepted for admission.
“Nickel and Dimed” was adapted for the stage from the best-selling book by Barbara Ehreneich, and is the story of an undercover journalist who explores the lives of people working low-wage jobs in America. The production will be RSU’s first participating entry in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, where the production will travel to Tahlequah for district competition in early November.
The American College Theatre Festival is a national theatre program that was established in 1969 by Roger L. Stevens, the Kennedy Center’s founding chairman. The festival involves 600 colleges and universities around the nation, and offers recognition through awards and scholarships in playwriting, acting, criticism, directing and design. Oklahoma is in region six of the theatre festival, which also includes New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. This year’s regional competition will be held at Tulsa Community College Feb. 27 through March 3, 2007.
“Nickel and Dimed” contains some strong language and adult themes, so parents may choose not to take children to the play.
The next RSU theatre production will be “Quest for the Clio!” a one-act spoof of the advertising industry. “Quest for the Clio!” was partially written and adapted for stage performance by Dr. Jeff Gentry, department head and associate professor for the RSU Department of Communication and Fine Arts. “Quest for the Clio!” will run Nov. 16-17 in the Will Rogers Auditorium at RSU.
For more information on RSU theatre productions, or information about participating in the theatre productions, contact David Blakely, theatre coordinator, at (918) 343-7521.