The Franklin College Theatre Department will present Small Mouth Sounds written by Bess Wohl. The performances will take place at 8 p.m., beginning Thursday, April 24, through Saturday, April 26 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 27. All performances will be in Théâtre Margot in the Johnson Center for Fine Arts. Audience discretion is advised, as some content may be inappropriate or disturbing for viewers.

In the overwhelming quiet of the woods, six runaways from city life embark on a silent retreat led by an unusual and demanding instructor. As these strangers confront internal demons both profound and absurd, their vows of silence collide with the achingly human need to connect. Filled with awkward humor, this strange and compassionate new play asks how we address life’s biggest questions when words fail us.

Visiting artist Jen Johansen will direct the play. Though new to directing, Johansen has been a professional actor based in Indianapolis for over twenty years. She has performed locally at Indiana Repertory Theatre, the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Center and with Indy Shakes, American Lives Theatre, and The New Harmony Project, as well as multiple regional theatres. She is a Creative Renewal recipient from the Arts Council of Indianapolis, a Lunt-Fontaine Fellow, a company member with Indy Shakes and a board member of both American Lives Theatre and Summer Stock Stage.

This production is made possible by the Richard A. Harrison (’57) Visiting Theatre Artist Endowment.

The cast and crew members include:

Olivia Grace Fannin, of Indianapolis, will play the part of the teacher and serve as an assistant stage manager and running crew member.

Emma Jones, of Greenwood, will play the part of Joan.

Riley Mahan, of Trafalgar, will play the part of Judy.

Serenity Storm Cockerham, of Greenwood, will play the part of Alicia.

Maxwell Pipkin, of Mooresville, will play the part of Ned.

Robert Pollard, of Evansville, will play the part of Rodney.

Trinity Whitted, of Edinburgh, will play the part of Jan.

Eli Everage, of Seymour, is the stage manager.

Tyler Lehner, of Greenwood, is the house manager.

Grace Allen, of Greenwood, is the light board operator.

Kaylie McDonald, of Greenwood, is the sound board operator.

Rylee Grimes, of Greensburg, is an assistant stage manager and running crew member.

Lilly Voils, of Nashville, is an additional crew member.

General admission is $12. Admission for each performance is $8 for students and seniors (55 and older). Franklin College students, faculty and staff receive free admission with a valid Franklin College ID.

To reserve tickets, email tickets@FranklinCollege.edu or call (317) 738-8029 or (800) 852-0232, ext. 8029. Please claim your tickets at least ten minutes before the performance. The box office opens one hour before the performance.

For more information, contact the Franklin College Office of Communications at (317) 738-8185.