This fall Lee University presents Lee Blessings’ politically charged drama Two Rooms directed by Dr. Mark Burnette and assistant directed by senior drama major Lauren Hayes.  The cast includes Sarah Shealy, John D. Moore, Michael DeBacker, and Anna Cook.  Ms. Catherine Bradley is technical director and lighting designer for the production, and junior drama major Derrick Vanmeter is designing the set.  The play will be performed October 11-13 at 7:30 pm in the Dixon Center Auditorium. Seating will be limited to approximately 100 viewers per performance, as seating will be located on-stage to create an intimate, black-box style theater.  An open forum will be held after the play for a discussion of the competing roles of the press and government in hostage situations, and the mental toll these ordeals take on the families involved.
  
Two Rooms centers on a hostage situation in the Middle East, and the emotional and intellectual struggle of the wife of the abducted man.  The wife is being pulled in multiple directions.  On one side is an opportunistic male reporter who wants to publish her story and use the press to help push for the husband's release.  On another side is a female State Department representative who is pressuring the wife to keep out of a situation that is much more complicated than just her husband and allow the government to handle it.  In the midst of this struggle is the emotional turmoil of a married couple longing to be reunited.  The play is concise and truly powerful with an ending that does not pull punches.

Director Dr. Mark Burnette will hold an open forum at the close of each performance. This forum will also include a panel of faculty and cast members to provide various perspectives on topics raised by the play.  Scheduled panelists will include Dr. Robert Fisher, Dr. Jerome Hammond, Ms. Stacey Isom, Dr. Richard Jones, and Dr. Christen Logue. Two Rooms is as a participating production in KCACTF- Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.

Communication and the Arts • Dixon Center • (423) 614-8341 • Box Office (423) 614-8343
Lee University • 1120 N. Ocoee St. • Cleveland, TN 37320-3450 • (423) 614-8000