Animal characters in a coloring book are thrilled when a little boy begins to embellish them with crazy colors and off-the-wall flourishes — until the boy’s older sister begins to add her own flourishes that spark social divisions that challenge friendships. Can the animals learn not to judge each other based on looks or color?
Find out by attending “The Coloring Book,” the annual production for youth produced by the Hastings College Alpha Psi Omega theatre honorary.
Shows are Thursday, Friday and Saturday December 5-7 at 7:30 p.m., plus a 2:00 p.m. matinee on December 7. All performances are at Scott Studio Theatre (806 N Turner Ave.). Tickets are $5 and can be reserved at tickets@hastings.edu.
In “The Coloring Book,” directed by Kiley Logan, a senior from Colorado Springs, Colorado, touches on many issues that affect young people: Bullying, racism, peer pressure, conformity and the need for acceptance. It handles ugly subjects without being ugly itself, and its darker moments are never too dark for young audiences. Most importantly, while it strives to teach empathy, it never forgets to entertain.
The Coloring Book by Bradley Walton
CAST
- Words — Kai Marshall of Omaha, Nebraska; and Grace Sinsel of York, Nebraska
- Benny the Calf — Shailyn Brillon of Wesley Chapel, Florida
- Paul the Polar Bear — Becky Cox of Blue Hill, Nebraska
- Diana the Cat — Audrey Weeks of Hastings, Nebraska
- Arthur the Monkey — Cameron Rodgers of Hastings, Nebraska
- Neve the Rabbit — Kelli Brichacek of Waterloo, Nebraska
- Sally the Veterinarian — Mikhala Miller of Peyton, Colorado
- Eddie the Guinea Pig — Darci Wax of Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Jacques the Pig — Luke Liffengren of Conifer, Colorado
- Mother — Sarah Sepan of Centennial, Colorado
- Child/Fish 1 — Juno Reece of Westminster, Colorado
- Child/Fish 2 — Christian Kehn of Boulder, Colorado
- Extra Animals — Jacqueline Carreras of Parker, Colorado; Keeley Garland of Superior, Colorado; Juliana Hernandez of Julesburg, Colorado; Aubree Kramer of Valparaiso, Nebraska; Cass Miller of Wheat Ridge, Colorado; Teeya Olson of Papillion, Nebraska; Melbourne Palmer of Lynchburg, Virginia
CREW
- Stage Manager — Liz Lee of Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Assistant Stage Manager — Basil Rabayda of Phoenix, Arizona
- Scenic Crew Head — Joseph Daake of Kearney, Nebraska
- Scenic Crew — Jacqueline Carreras of Parker, Colorado; Camrin Cowden of Centennial, Colorado; Kylie Lierz of Lincoln, Nebraska; Melbourne Palmer of Lynchburg, Virginia
- Lighting Designer — Lighting Design Class
- Lighting Crew — Annette Vargas, professor of Theatre, Lighting Design Class
- Projections Designer — Jordan Ismaiel of Hastings, Nebraska
- Projection Op — Jeff Sokol of Grand Island, Nebraska
- Costume Crew Head — Carly Cremers of Columbus, Nebraska
- Costume Crew — Teeya Olson of Papillion, Nebraska; Juno Reece of Westminster, Colorado; Hope Uhing of Omaha, Nebraska; Rayvonne Wright of Austin, Texas
- Hair/Makeup Crew Head — Amelia Amicarella of Littleton, Colorado
- Properties Crew Head — Jeff Sokol of Grand Island, Nebraska
- Properties Crew — Sarah Sepan of Centennial, Colorado; Cass Miller of Wheat Ridge, Colorado
- Sound Head/Operator — Tyler Huntsman of Parker, Colorado
- Lighting Operator — Basil Rabayda of Phoenix, Arizona
- Box Office/House Manager/Publicity — Greer Anderson of Peyton, Colorado
Nebraska’s premier private college, Hastings College is a four-year institution located in Hastings, Nebraska, that focuses on student academic and extracurricular achievement. Hastings College has been named among “Great Schools, Great Prices” by U.S. News & World Report and a “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review. For more, go to hastings.edu.
