The Near-Sighted Knight and the Far-Sighted Dragon Opens Feb. 20

Published Thursday, February 04, 2016

The Near-Sighted Knight and the Far-Sighted Dragon

SMSU Theatre’s 2015-2016 season continues with The Near-Sighted Knight and the Far-Sighted Dragon, a musical play for children and their families, written by Eleanor and Ray Harder. Public performances are February 20, 21, 27, and 28 at 2:00 p.m. in the SMSU Fine Arts Theatre.

The Near-Sighted Knight and the Far-Sighted Dragon is an action-filled fairy tale that follows the adventures of an unemployed knight trying to find an adventure. Along the way he meets a career-minded princess and a non-violent dragon. The three misfits embark on a plan to rescue the princess' father from a power-hungry duchess.

In addition to the public performances, the show will be touring at area elementary schools the week of February 22-26. Both public and school performances will rotate between two troupes of actors, known as Troupe Knight and Troupe Dragon.

The two troupes will perform at Steven’s Elementary, Dawson, Feb. 22; Hendricks/Ivanhoe Elementary, Hendricks, St. Edward’s, Minneota and Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley Elementary, Clinton, Feb. 23; MACCRAY West, Maynard and MACCRAY East, Raymond, Feb. 25; Park Side Elementary, Marshall, Lakeview Elementary, Cottonwood and Luverne High School, Luverne, Feb. 26.

SMSU’s Student Hospitality Opportunities (SHO) Club will also host a “Kid’s Cuisine Camp” in Individualized Learning 116 at 12:30 pm prior to the February 21 and 27 performances.

Participants will be taught how to make pretzel dough, and then will make and shape their own pretzels with assistance from SHO members, who will bake the pretzels while the children are watching the performance. After the show, the children can enjoy eating their pretzels while meeting some of the performers in the theatre lobby. Pretzels will also be available for sale. Participation is limited to 12 children per session, ages 6 and up. The cost is $10 per child.

The production is directed by Professor of Theatre Sheila Tabaka from Marshall, who is also the costume designer. Assistant Professor of Theatre and SMSU Theatre Arts alumnus Mike Lenz of Cottonwood, Minn., is the scenic and lighting designer and technical director, and also plays the Dragon in Troupe Dragon. Jim Tabaka of Marshall is the music director. Associate Professor of Theatre Nadine Purvis Schmidt of Estelline, S.D., is the producer. The cast and major crew include:

Emilie Baartman, a junior Theatre Arts and Broadcast & Digital Media double major from Brandon, S.D., as the Duchess in Troupe Knight.
Morgan Benson, a freshman Hospitality Management major from Tracy, Minn., as the Princess in Troupe Dragon.
Lindsey Brace, a junior Early Childhood Special Education major from Montevideo, Minn., as the Duchess in Troupe Dragon.
Taylor Engel, a junior Theatre Arts and Music double major from St. James, Minn., as the King in Troupe Dragon.
Jacob Fager, a sophomore History major from Mankato, Minn., as the King in Troupe Knight.
Kyle Havlicek, a senior Theatre Arts major, Creative Writing minor from Redwood Falls, Minn., as the Guard and the stage manager for Troupe Knight.
Kevin Huizenga, a freshman Theatre Arts major from Sioux Falls, S.D., as Wilfred in Troupe Knight.
Jen Keohen, a sophomore Marketing major, Theatre minor from Shakopee, Minn., as the Captain in Troupe Dragon.
Thomas Knudson, a junior Theatre Arts major from Walnut Grove, Minn., as the Knight in Troupe Knight.
Seth Lewis, a senior Psychology major from Sioux Falls, S.D., as the Captain in Troupe Knight.
Illana Peter, a freshman Music Education major from Tyler, Minn., as the Princess in Troupe Knight.
Paul Ragan, a freshman History/Education major from Fosston, Minn., as the Knight in Troupe Dragon.
Jaylee Schanus, a freshman Theatre Arts major from Willmar, Minn., as the Guard and the assistant stage manager for Troupe Dragon.
Payton Shively, a junior Theatre Arts major from Council Bluffs, Iowa, as the Dragon in Troupe Knight; Shively is also the publicity manager.
Dean Zinda, a freshman Culinology major from Oak Creek, Wis., as Wilfred in Troupe Dragon.
Stephanie Asfeld, a junior Accounting major from Bertha, Minn. is the house manager.

Tickets for SMSU Theatre’s The Near-Sighted Knight and the Far-Sighted Dragon are $5 and are available at www.SMSUtickets.com and at the door. For more information, please call the Theatre Office at (507) 537-7103.

Pre-registration is required for the “Kid’s Cuisine Camp” by calling 507-537-7103 or emailing Diana.Holmes@SMSU.edu.