Northwestern Theatre to Present One-Act ‘Asylum’ Oct. 2-3

September 24, 2025

Alva, OK -- The Northwestern Oklahoma State University Reichenberger Department of Fine Arts will present "Asylum" by Jerome McDonough on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 2-3, at 7 p.m. in the Fellers Family Auditorium located in Herod Hall on the Northwestern-Alva campus.

The play is directed by Woodward speech/theatre major Gabriel Bussinger for his senior capstone production that fulfills the requirements for his degree.

“Asylum” is a one-act ensemble play that explores the fine line between sanity and madness. The production is set in a stark, confined mental institution where the story is driven by a series of monologues and interactions between patients, each revealing their own struggles, traumas and perceptions of reality.

“Asylum” is appropriate for audiences 13 years of age and older.

General admission is $5, and students with a valid school ID is $3. Admission may be paid at the door, which will open each night at 6:30.

This production is presented by special arrangement with Dramatic Publishing Company, Inc. of Woodstock, Illinois

Cast members for this production and the name of their characters include:

Aspen Marshall, Tulsa junior majoring in theatre, as Stan; Aidan Slater, Follett, Texas, freshman majoring in elementary education major as Harper; Jaden Matthews, Hennessey senior majoring in speech/theatre, as The Girl/Jenny; Emily Wright, Cheyenne junior majoring in media and communications, as Dinwiddie; Alexander Marshall, Oklahoma City senior majoring in funeral service, as Judge/Doctor; Lucas Wood, Enid sophomore majoring in vocal music education, as Influential Person; Bella Anguino, Tulsa sophomore majoring in speech/theatre, as Mrs. Heart; Matthew Skinner, Sand Springs junior majoring in speech/theatre, as Ron/Prosecutor; Justus Durham, Alva freshman majoring in speech/theatre, as Mitch; Hellena "Ellie" Exum, Follett, Texas, freshman majoring in vocal music education, as Wanda; Chuck Shafer, Alva freshman majoring in speech/theatre, as C.C.; Maegan Holson, Waynoka senior majoring in psychology/criminal justice, as Kris; Madilyn Pickle, Hennessey freshman majoring in vocal music education, as Juror No. 1; Kendra Puebla, Felt sophomore majoring in psychology, as Juror No. 2; and Dawson Defoor, Erick sophomore majoring speech/theatre, as Guard.

Lily Post, Ponca City sophomore majoring in speech/theatre, is an understudy for the role Influential Person.

For more information on theatre performances and courses in the Reichenberger Department of Fine Arts at Northwestern, contact Kimberly Weast, professor of theatre arts and Reichenberger Department of Fine Arts chair, at kkweast@nwosu.edu or (580) 327-8462 or see more info at www.nwosu.edu/fine-arts.

-NW-