Dead Man Walking
by Tim Robbins
Directed by Maureen Ryan
February 22, 23, 24 at 7:30 p.m.
February 25 at 3 p.m.
March 1, 2, 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Thurber Theatre
A dying man is alone, except for the love of a Catholic sister. He is a castaway, considered untouchable and worthy of death by his society. The nun comforts him and says, "I can't bear the thought that you would die without seeing one loving face. I will be the face of Christ for you." She is Sister Helen Prejean, a Sister of St. Joseph of Medaille. He is one of four convicted of murder whom she has accompanied to the death chamber in Louisiana.
In 2002, Tim Robbins wrote a stage version of Dead Man Walking based on Sister Helen Prejean’s book of the same title. Part of a three-year project designed to foster discourse and discussion about the death penalty, The Dead Man Walking School Theatre Project, is managed by the Death Penalty Discourse Center where Sister Prejean now bases her work. In addition to the OSU Theatre production, a symposium on the death penalty will be held in conjunction with other university units.
CAST
| Sister Helen Prejean | Jessica Podewell* |
| Matt Poncelet | Dwayne Blackaller |
| Chaplain Farley | Raymond Caldwell |
| Sister Colleen | Johamy Morales |
| Hilton Barber | Alexander Mack |
| Lucille Poncelet | Kiana Harris |
| Mitch | Anthony Traina |
| Jim | Zach Sciranka |
| Troy | Richard Poskozim |
| Clyde Percy | Billy Earnhart |
| Marybeth Percy | Virginia Logan |
| Hope Percy | Ashlee Mundy |
| Emily Percy | Jessica Chinn |
| Earl Delacroix | Scott Wilson |
| Mrs Delacroix | Anna Hoptry |
| Walter Delacroix | Matt Proctor |
| Sister Prejean’s Mother | Doreen Salkiewicz |
| Sister Neal/Woman #2/Ensemble | Barbie Papalios |
| Luis Montoya/Act II Guard/Ensemble | Andy Hernandez |
| Guard #1/Purvis Slade/Trapp | Ryan O’Connor |
| Guard #2/Ensemble | Zack Mikesell |
| Female Guard/Ensemble | Kyle Jepson |
| Guy Gilardi/Act II Guard | Damon Trammell |
| Reporter #1/Sgt Beliveau/Ensemble | Jeffrey McCants |
| Reporter #2/Woman #1/Ensemble | Diana Bae |
| Reporter #3/Governor Fredericks/Man #3 | Brad Koesters |
| Reporter #4/Act II Guard/Ensemble | Ryan Carlisle |
| Mirabeau/Woman #3/Nurse | Kristin Green |
| Man #1/Warden Hartman | Liam Cronin |
| Man #2/Act II Guard | Akil Babb |
| Vitello | Sergio LoDolce |
| Herbie | Daniel Ferguson |
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
PRODUCTION STAFF
| Chair/Producer | Mark Shanda |
| Director | Maureen Ryan |
| Scenic Designer | Gregory Owen |
| Costume Designer | Crystal Herman |
| Lighting Designer | Matthew D. McCarren |
| Sound Designer | Katie Phillips |
| Technical Director | Chris Zinkon |
| Production Coordinator | James Knapp |
| Stage Manager | Kristen N. Blazek |
| Assistant Stage Managers | Megan Fitzpatrick Bora "Max" Koknar |
| Assistant Sound Designer | Sherri Luketic |
| Dramaturg | Rebecca Kallemeyn |
| Vocal Coach | Mandy Fox |
| Movement Coach | Jeanine Thompson |
| Box Office Manager | Rachel E. Barnes |
| Poster and Program Design | Damian Bowerman |
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