Fairy tale favorites will come together to join in one unexpected place: the asylum.
Alpha Psi Omega, a National Theatre Society, will host an original play entitled “Storybook Asylum” by president Chelsea Krause on Thursday, April 3 at 7 p.m. in the Pottle Recital Hall.
“I can’t say too much, but it’s about some very famous fairy tale characters who have ended up in an asylum,” said Krause. “It’s a comedy, so expect a lot of laughs.”
After encountering a bizarre picture of Little Red Riding Hood, Krause was inspired to write the Storybook Asylum, incorporating fairy tale figures into the plot.
“I saw a picture of little Red Riding Hood in a straight jacket, and the wheels started turning,” said Krause. “I started thinking of some characters that might be in this place and I just wrote. The original took maybe two hours to whip out, but it was much shorter. I entered it in a playwriting contest, and it won. Since then it has evolved to something much greater than I expected.”
As rehearsals began, the play turned out to be a little different from what Krause first anticipated.
“The biggest challenge was making it completely stage ready,” said Krause. “We workshopped it for a long time to get it where it is. It was so nice casting it and seeing it come to life.”
“Storybook Asylum” will be directed by Veronica Gutierrez, Alpha Psi Omega member. Tiray Dove, Jessica Baronich, Taylor Michel, Lindsay Picou, Trey Tycer, Emily Nodine and Kelsey Hymel will take different roles on stage.
Alpha Psi Omega decided to put on the show for High School Day at the university on Friday, March 28. They also chose that day so new actors could gain exposure on stage.  The opportunity also gave Krause a chance for “Storybook Aslyum” to have its first showing through Alpha Psi Omega.
Alpha Psi Omega was created at Southeastern in 2007 and gives theater students a chance to put on productions and gain recognition and rewards on a national level.
Although Alpha Psi Omega usually puts on one or two productions a year, this year they are putting on four. The society holds workshops yearly from professionals who help in playwriting, method acting, voice and more.
Although “Storybook Asylum” will not have a price to watch the show, Alpha Psi Omega is requesting audience members give at least a dollar.  All of the money raised will go towards the next production.
Krause hopes to pursue acting, but she is continuing her hand in playwriting.  Another of Krause’s original plays will be performed next year.
“I hope to pursue acting, actually. However, I highly enjoy playwriting,” said Krause. “I already have another play written that will be performed next year, and I hope to continue writing for a long time. I have a bunch more ideas that have yet to come to fruition.”
Krause is glad to see “Storybook Asylum” become a reality and hopes the performance will have a good turnout.
“I’m happy that it gets to come to life and I hope everyone will come support,” said Krause.
To learn more about Alpha Psi Omega visit the national website at alphapsiomega.org or the Southeastern site.  To become a member, contact Jim Winter at [email protected].