Emporia State University is kicking off its summer theatre season this weekend.
The first of two shows on the calendar this summer is Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook is based on one of the installments of the popular series written by Barbara Park, which focuses on the exploits of Kindergartner Junie B. Jones. The show will run Friday through Sunday at the Karl C. Bruder Theatre.
Friday, cast and crew of the production, along with ESU Theatre Director Aubrey Wilson, joined KVOE’s Talk of Emporia to preview the show. {Wilson says she and the cast are very excited to kick of this extended summer theater season which was made possible by many donors through the recent Up With Theatre fundraising drive. Wilson says she is pleased that so many individuals have seen the value in the summer theatre program noting it was one of her favorite memories during her time at Emporia State.}
The show is being directed by recent ESU graduate Lexi Vega who is set to takeover as theatre director for Emporia Middle School in the fall. She says this has been the perfect job to help prepare her for what’s ahead in the coming academic year.
Hannah Johnson plays the titular character and says she was ecstatic to take on the role.
Costume crew member JoyAnne Boutz says this has been a “really fun show” to be on the costume crew for.
{Ethan Maestas (MY-Ess-Tess) plays the role of Ricardo and says it has been an interesting experience getting back into the mindset of a child.}
Showtimes for the production will be 7:30 pm Friday, 2 pm and 7:30 pm Saturday and 2 pm Sunday. The cost of tickets is $18 for adults, $13 for seniors, students and ESU staff and free for children. {Wilson says they want to have as many children in attendance as possible, as she hopes it will help to spark a passion for the arts in them.}
Once Junie B. wraps up this weekend, the summer theatre program will be getting set for its second show of the year, “Spring Awakening,” an angsty rock musical adaptation of the play of the same name, which discusses the trials and tribulations of growing up. For more information on the summer theatre season, tickets, or showtimes, be sure to visit emporia.edu.
