Angelina College’s Theater Department is thrilled to present “Laundry and Bourbon,” a heartwarming tale of love, friendship, and life in a small Texas town. The student-led production will run for three nights starting Thursday, April 18, and closing on Saturday, April 20.
Amy Lee (Eryn Forrest, right) fills in friends Elizabeth (Dianna Saenz, center) and Hattie (Emma McMullen, left) on the latest gossip during Tuesday’s dress rehearsal for “Laundry and Bourbon.” The Angelina College Theater production runs April 18-20 in the Black Box Lab inside the Angelina Center for the Arts building. (Gary Stallard/AC News Service photo)
All shows start at 7:30 p.m. and take place in the Black Box Lab inside the Angelina Center for the Arts.
The three-person cast consists of Eryn Presley Forrest (Centerville), who plays the role of Amy Lee while also showing her directorial skills; Emma McMullen (Apple Springs), who brings enthusiasm to her role as Hattie; and Dianna Saenz (Lufkin), who is making her theater debut as Elizabeth Caulder.
Emma McMullen hails from Apple Springs, TX. Emma portrays Hattie’s character with enthusiasm and dedication. Her previous experience and commitment to her craft shine through as she immerses herself in her character. Emma highlights the camaraderie among the cast, saying, “I love being a part of this production because of the closeness of the cast, and we just get closer as opening night approaches!”Dianna Saenz, a Lufkin native, makes her theater debut, stepping into the spotlight as Elizabeth Caulder. Despite initial hesitations, Dianna embraces the stage with newfound confidence, embodying the spirit of self-expression and creativity. She shares her favorite part of acting, saying, “My favorite part is that it allows me to be vulnerable without any personal consequences.”Eryn Presley Forrest is a graduate of Centerville High School in Centerville, TX. Eryn takes on the role of Amy Lee while also showcasing her directorial skills. With a wealth of theater experience and a passion for the stage, Eryn brings depth and authenticity to her performance. Reflecting on her journey, she remarks, “Being an actor has taught me so much, however being on the other side of things is an entirely different world.”
The story, by the late American playwright James McClure, centers around three married women who share the struggles of raising families while “longing for their high school glory days” (TheaterKnoxville.com). With help from a bottle of conversation starter and a laundry basket overflowing with the town’s gossip, the three women come together to solve the world’s problems as only three friends can.
Elizabeth (Dianna Saenz, center) reacts to the latest gossip from Amy Lee (Eryn Forrest, left) and Hattie (Emma McMullen, right) during Tuesday’s dress rehearsal for “Laundry and Bourbon.” The Angelina College Theater production runs April 18-20 in the Black Box Lab inside the Angelina Center for the Arts building. (Gary Stallard/AC News Service photo)
The productions are free to the public, and there is no admission charge. For further information, contact Kary Raine at kraine@angelina.edu.
Sports Information Director Gary Stallard, who also serves as a Liberal Arts Instructor, begins his eleventh season with Angelina College. Following a career as a U.S. Marine, Stallard completed his bachelor’s degree at Stephen F. Austin University, where he majored in English and Journalism. For more than 16 years, he has worked as a sports writer/columnist/photographer for the Lufkin Daily News; he continues to contribute free-lance articles on occasion. Stallard has won several awards for writing, including the Golden Hoops Award for basketball writing in 2003, Regional Sports Writer of the Year in 2004, and the Texas Press Association’s first-place award for column writing in 2007 and in 2014. He has also done basketball, football and baseball radio and live streaming play-by- play and color commentary for an ESPN affiliate. Currently Stallard serves as play-by-play broadcaster for AC basketball, baseball and softball games.
Prior to arriving at Angelina College, Stallard taught English at Lufkin High School for four years. He currently teaches Developmental Writing classes at AC. He and his wife Susan live in Lufkin.
