(November 5, 2014)

Centenary presents David Auburn's Proof at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse

SHREVEPORT, LA — The Marjorie Lyons Playhouse will close the fall season with a production of David Auburn's Proof, winner of the 2001 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play. The show will run from Thursday, November 13, to Saturday, November 15, at 8 p.m. with a 2 p.m. performance on Sunday, November 16. Tickets are available for purchase online; adult tickets are $15, senior and alumni tickets are $10, and student tickets are $5. Current Centenary students, faculty, and staff are admitted for free.

Proof is the story Catherine, the daughter of a recently deceased brilliant but mentally disturbed mathematician. She tries to come to grips with the possibility of inheriting not only his genius but also his insanity. To complicate matters, Catherine suspects one of her father's former students is trying to steal and claim as his own her father's work, all while her estranged sister shows up unexpectedly to help settle his affairs.

"I was drawn to this play primarily because it is one of those pieces that present an incredible opportunity for actors," said director and visiting assistant professor of theatre M. Logan Sledge. "The situation that David Auburn has created for his characters is one in which the stakes are incredibly high. Auburn does not use spectacle to create intrigue. Instead, he uses the psychological needs of the characters to drive his story forward."

Proof will be presented in black-box, with the audience surrounding the stage on three sides.

"The audiences may typically be smaller for a drama than they are for a comedy or musical, but our first obligation is to provide our students with great material that will help in their training," said Sledge. "Proof provides the actors with the ultimate acting challenge, living truthfully in the imaginary circumstances by playing the needs of the characters. Although the characters are certainly in very serious situations, the play is quite entertaining and engaging."

A special talk-back session will follow the performance on Friday, November 14. Participants will include Sledge, associate professor of mathematics Dr. Katherine Brandl, director of counseling services Tina Feldt, and Dr. Keith Kessel, MD.

Purchase your tickets to see Proof online at centenary.edu/playhouse.