The new fall theater season at Southeastern is kicking off with a world premier play. Playwright Tommy Jamerson is set to showcase his original work in the “Murderous Innocent,” at the Vonnie Borden Theatre, from October 16-19 at 7:30 p.m.
The play is directed by Jim Winter who is also the assistant professor of acting and directing. Jamerson was one of Winter’s students at the University of New Orleans where he participated in the MFA Creative Writing Program. “It [the play] has never been done before. He wrote this play for a graduate course he took with me, and I really liked it,” said Winter. “I wanted to do it, so we spent several months workshopping it this summer.”
Many of the details have been kept a secret so the audience could be surprised on opening night. There are three main characters: a couple, Jacob and Sarah Freeman and Jacob’s love child, Dani, but there is also a fourth surprise character. According to Winter, “the audience could expect a unique contemporary drama.”
“Murderous Innocent” focuses on Jacob Freeman, played by guest performer Jared Marlatt. He is living with his wife Sarah in Miami, when one day his child from a previous affair shows up. Dani, played by Jaimee Barbee, is there to confront her father seventeen years later.
“It revolves around a man who is an English professor and scholar. Years earlier he had an affair with a woman, and seventeen years later, when this play begins, the daughter from that affair shows up on his doorstep,” Winter said. “He wasn’t a part of her growing up at all. Now this adult child comes into their lives, and it centers on that.”
Lynsey Manley will play the role of Sarah Freeman, and she cannot wait to show the audience all the hard work she, and the crew, have put into the play. “I’m most excited to just get this production up in front of an audience. I got to be a part of workshopping this script over the summer in cooperation with the writer, so I’ve had these characters in my head for so long now,” Manley said. “I just can’t wait to have an audience reacting to these lives we’ve created.”
Audiences can expect the play to go “from being very realistic and very traditional, to having stylized dance and movement sequences,” Winter said. There is also a heavy jazz music influence in the show. The original eighty minute play will run non-stop, with no intermission. For Winter, this always brings a certain level of nervousness, but a good nervousness.
“There is always a certain level of anxiety, because it’s not tested. Also there is that pressure of hoping the playwright likes what you’ve done with his work,” said Winter. “For me though, I really like bringing new work to life, so it’s a rush.”
To purchase tickets, visit the box office in the lobby of D Vickers. General admission is $10 and students get in free with their I.D. Tickets go on sale Oct. 8. For more information contact the box office at 985-549-2115.