Hebron Resident Participating in New Play from New York Playwright at Ashland University

2014 Oct 20

Hebron resident, Kayla Gowdy, is a cast member in Ashland University Theatre's new play, "The Event of My Death," written by a New York playwright. Gowdy is serving as the assistant lighting designer for "In the Event of My Death."

Gowdy is majoring in political science. She is the daughter of Barry and Kimberly Gowdy of Hebron. Gowdy is a 2013 graduate of Lakewood High School.

Ashland University was selected by New York's Farm Theater as one of three universities to participate in the college collaboration project. Last spring, the Farm Theater commissioned emerging playwright Lindsay Joy to write a new play in communication with students from Ashland University, Centre College and Clark University. All three universities will produce the original script throughout this academic year with Ashland presenting the premiere performance of "In the Event of My Death," directed by Assistant Professor of theatre, Scott Hudson.

Performances are scheduled for Oct. 30, 31, Nov. 1, 6, 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 2, at 2 p.m. With the performance staged in Ashland University's Hugo Young Theatre, patrons should note that the seating is on stage for this production which limits the number of seats available and advance purchase is recommended. The audience should also note that the script does contain adult language and content.

The college collaboration began last February when the playwright interviewed the students about how they experience and express life changing events as well as their relationship and opinion of current social media. Joy took responses from all three schools and combined them with her own impressions along with her own experience of personal news of tragic events through social media. The result focuses on today's twenty-somethings experiencing tragic loss dealt by violent betrayal. Her story is one that some have personally lived through and that all hope never to experience.

Throughout the rehearsal process, the cast has raised questions about their characters to the playwright which activated adjustments, edits and tweaks in the script. The students have invested greatly in this process as explained by director Judson, "We have journeyed over the past ten months to inspire, mentor and discipline one another in the art of a new work. We will continue this process well into the next year with the theatre departments of Centre College and Clark University, as they too will further develop this play. This collaboration binds us in a rich, wide and long lasting community of those committed to excellence in the education and profession of American Theatre."

Set in present day in a small town in western Pennsylvania, eight friends from high school are deeply broken hearted, angry and confused over the tragic sudden loss of their loved one who took his own life only a few days ago. Only main character, Brianna, seems to understand her friend, Freddie, reasoning for suicide was a personal and private matter. The others, including the quick-witted Amber, Connor and Trevor, experience a sense of guilt. For the introverted and vulnerable Peter, to Becky, the former prom queen. All of the characters deeply need the respect, validation, affirmation and comfort of each other whether found through direct bluntness from Meg, or open consideration from Kate.

Since the show is premiered at Ashland, several special events surround the performances including a post-show reception on opening night, Oct. 30, with special guests playwright Lindsay Joy and The Farm Theatre's artistic director Padraic Lillis. Joy and Lillis will then present a talk back after the performance on Oct. 31, discussing the college collaboration process and creation of the script. On Friday, Nov. 7, at 6:45 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre, the "Inside the Season" pre-show talk for "In the Event of My Death" will be led by the show's director, Scott Hudson. All special events are free and open to the public.

Single tickets for the performances are: $12 for adults; $10 for senior citizens, AU faculty, staff and alumni; $8 for groups of 10 or more, $5 for non-AU students, and $2 for Ashland University students with ID.

To purchase tickets, call the Ashland University Box Office at 419-289-5125, Monday through Friday, 12 to 6 p.m.; or purchase online 24/7 at www.ashland.edu/tickets. For more information about the department of theatre, visit www.ashland.edu/theatre or contact Tricia Applegate, coordinator of performing arts publicity and events, at 419-289-5950 or tapplega@ashland.edu.

Ashland University, which has been ranked in the top 200 colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Report's National Universities category, is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.