The Franklin College Theatre Department will present its first play of the spring semester, Galinthias, at 8 p.m. beginning Thursday, March 9 through Saturday, March 11 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 12. All performances will be in Théâtre Margot in the Johnson Center for Fine Arts. This production is made possible by the Richard A. Harrison (’57) Visiting Artist Endowment.   

Written by Bennett Ayres, this drama centers on Galinthias, the midwife who is no stranger to the cruelty of the gods. She herself was cursed by Hera for her part in helping birth Hercules. But when Galinthias meets a teenage girl who has been assaulted and impregnated by Poseidon, she decides to defy the gods and help the girl get an abortion. Along the way she encounters mystics and monsters, enemies and allies – all while being tracked and hunted by the Furies. Join us for the world premiere of this original play. Note: Franklin College Theatre is advising audience discretion for language and subject matter.

Ayres is a playwright and museum educator. His plays have been produced by Chicago’s City Lit Theater, Franklin College, Wabash College, Otherworld Theatre of Chicago, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Newfields and the Phoenix Theatre. Ayres was a 2020 Blue Ink finalist for Chicago’s American Blues Theatre.

Rob Johansen will direct the play. Johansen has been a part of Franklin College Theatre as a fight choreographer and guest director since 2004. At Franklin he has directed The Visit (spring 2012), Anton in Show Business (spring 2017) and The Miser (fall 2017). Johansen has appeared in 50 Indiana Repertory Theatre productions and 20 productions at the Phoenix Theatre as well as regional theatres around the country. He has an M.F.A in acting from Indiana University, Bloomington. He has taught at both IU and at Wabash College.

General admission is $12. Admission for each performance is $8 for students and seniors (55 and older). Franklin College students, faculty and staff will 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 reservations ten minutes before the performance. The box office opens one hour before the performance.  

The Johnson Center for Fine Arts is located at the corner of Branigin Blvd. and Grizzly Dr. Traveling west on State Road 44, take a left onto Forsythe St.  Turn right onto Jefferson St., following the sign to the main entrance to the college. Turn left onto Branigin Blvd.  The Johnson Center for Fine Arts is on the left at the second stop sign. 

The cast for the production includes: 

Elliot McKinley, of Salem, will play the part of Galinthias. 

Jordan Hoard, of Avon, will play the part of Aunt/Hera. 

Grace Allen, of Greenwood, will play the part of Niece/Young Harpy. 

Jadyn List, of Newburgh, will play the part of Xandra. 

Marian Case, of Pendleton, will play the part of Aclcemene. 

Robert Pollard, of Evansville, will play the part of Pythia/Hercules. 

Josie Lyons, of Coatesville, will play the part of Medea. 

Nate Irskens, of Greenwood, will play the part of Harpy/King Eurystius. 

Lauren Minks, of Crawfordsville, will play the part of Nymph. 

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

Ken Casey, of Martinsville, will play the part of Hecate. 

The crew for the production includes: 

Spencer Downhour, of Franklin, is the stage manager. 

Olivia Fannin, of Indianapolis, is the assistant stage manager. 

Contact the Franklin College Office of Communications at (317) 738-8185 for more information.   

POSTED Feb 16, 2023