In both structure and content, Caridad Svich’s script Town Hall overtly acknowledges that, in both the world of the characters and the world of the audience, we must admit to our togetherness. We must turn towards each other and listen in order to keep moving forward. Town Hall tackles so many urgent questions about our relationship to our environment, to other humans, and to democracy. It focuses on four people living in the near future, in a world different from but very similar to ours. Gathered in a plain room, these four characters search themselves and guide us in dreaming. They offer us brutally honest conversation, memories of joy, secrets of shame, and challenging questions to reimagine how we behave in the theatre and the world. Do we have any belief left in us to imagine a brighter future? Can we begin to form a plan for a better world? Town Hall questions how we are “us” and how we can move forward after all that has happened.

At Sam Houston, we’re especially proud to produce a series of student directed shows as part of our main season. The Directors’ Debut Series is a barebones approach to theatre which allows the student to hone their directing skills by telling the story as set down by the playwright through analysis and character creation with actors. Though minimally supported in the area of technical theatre and design, these productions are beautiful, imaginative and powerful. Student director faculty advisor, Patrick Pearson, Assistant Professor of Theatre says, “The Directors’ Debut series gives students with strong potential as directors the opportunity to find their voice and build their aesthetic as artists.  Especially given the restrictions Covid has placed upon productions this season, these talented student directors have met and exceeded every challenge thrown their way, exploring plays that deal with love, loss, potential, and the overall human condition.” The second of this spring’s Directors’ Debut Series will be presented via online live-streaming by Sam Houston State University’s Department of Theatre and Musical Theatre. Town Hall is directed by senior musical theatre major, Laurel Burrer and runs April 14, 16 and 17 at 7:30pm.