The Franklin College Theatre Department will present its final play of the year, The Submission, at 8 p.m. beginning Thursday, April 28 through Saturday, April 30 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 1.  All performances will be in Théâtre Margot in the Johnson Center for Fine Arts.

Written by Jeff Talbot, the play centers on Shaleeha G’ntamobi who has written a new play about an alcoholic Black mother and her son trying to get out of the projects. The play has been accepted to the country’s top theatre festival. The problem is Shaleeha doesn’t exist. It’s the nom-de-plume of aspiring white playwright Danny Larsen, who created her in an effort to increase the chances of his play being recognized. Lies pile up as Danny must decide what to do before everything blows up in his face. Note: Audience discretion is advised. 

Talbott graduated with honors from the Yale School of Drama. His play The Submission was the inaugural recipient of the Laurents/Hatcher Award in 2011 and was produced Off-Broadway by MCC Theater. It also received the Outer Critics Circle John Gassner Award for New American Play in 2012. It has since been produced around the country, and the Chicago premiere was named one of the best of 2014 by the Chicago Tribune. Talbott lives in New York City. Learn more at www.jefftalbott.com.

The play is being directed by Nick Crisafulli. He earned his bachelor’s degree in theatre arts and political science from Presbyterian College in South Carolina and his master’s degree in fine arts from the University of Memphis. He joined the Franklin College faculty in 2009, after serving as a graduate instructor at the University of Memphis.

Cast and Crew Include:

Robert Pollard, of Evansville, will play Danny.

Jordan Hoard, of Avon, will play Emilie.

Spencer Downhour, of Franklin will play Trevor.

Isaac Gleitz, of Corydon, will play Pete.

Josie Lyons, of Coatesville, will serve as a stage manager.

Marian Case, of Pendleton, will serve as a stage manager.

Ken Casey, of Martinsville, will serve as the run crew.

Warning: This play contains mature content including racist and homophobic language. 

Franklin College does not support or condone discriminatory harassment (oral, written, graphic or physical) directed against any person or, group of persons because of their race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status and /or disability.

General admission is $12. Admission for each performance is $8 for students and seniors (55 and older). Tickets are payable by cash or check only. 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.

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

POSTED Mar 30, 2022