FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 24, 2008

Contact: K.E. Schwab  

724.738.2199

 karl.schwab@sru.edu

SRU alumni assemble to haunt new supernatural play by David Skeele

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. –Some might see it as spooky when Slippery Rock University alumni assemble to present a new play by David Skeele, SRU theater professor. Titled “The Margins: A Play of Supernatural Horror,” the play is being revived after summer premieres in Edinburgh, Scotland, and on the SRU campus.

           In addition to writing the one-act, 60-minute, edge-of-your-seat thriller, Skeele will also direct the Halloween weekend, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, production. The play will be presented at 8 p.m. at the Grey Box Theatre, 3595 Butler St., in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

           Set in present time at an up-state New York mansion, the story tells of a group of psychics gathered for an experiment that goes awry.

            “The entire cast, and the backstage crew, is comprised of SRU alumni who agreed to bring the play to life as part of a special Halloween event,” Skeele said.

           I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such talented SRU alumni; to give some old friends the opportunity to reconnect; and to introduce actors and designers from different eras to each other,” Skeele said.

           Skeele’s cast includes Jarrod Digiorgi, a 1996 graduate; Michael Naffziger, a ’98 graduate; Angela Edwards, ’01; Marc Epstein, ’03; Deanna Brookens, ’07; and Steve Macri, ’08. Andrew Ostrowski, a 1985 graduate will handle lighting, Randi Gartner, a 2007 graduate, will handled costume design and serve as house manager, and Kim Crawford, a 2008 graduate will be stage manager.

           The play premiered last summer in Scotland when a cast and crew of then-current SRU students used a summer travel learning experience to present seven performances of the play as part of the famed Fringe Festival. More than 400 theater companies perform throughout the Edinburgh region during the summer festival. The audiences reportedly number 1.3 million.

           “The Margins” was performed in Edinburgh’s Old Saint Paul’s Church Hall and then revived for several performances on campus at the start of the academic year.

           Tickets are $10 at the door. For more information call 724.738.2978

Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.