Central's Don Quixote Hits The Road

April 28, 2008

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - After a solid weekend of performances at Central Washington University, Central Theatre Ensemble (CTE) gets ready to take its production of "The Adventures of Don Quixote" on the road. Cast members will perform this tale of love, courage, faith and creativity, between May 2 and June 2, all across the state of Washington, performing at schools in Moses Lake, Harrah, Kennewick, Manson, Hoquiam, Steilacoom, Des Moines, Yakima, Wenatchee, Lynnwood, Dayton and Kittitas. Public performances of this show will be at each of Central's university centers. For dates and times, visit www.cwu.edu/~theatre/tix.

In this family-friendly adaptation of Cervantes' novel, a girl named Kendrick dreams of becoming a mighty knight and slaying dragons. Her dream comes true, when a chance meeting with an old man named Alonso Quijano at the La Mancha Rest Home leads to a fabulous journey of the imagination. Together, the two become a gallant knight (Don Quixote) and his stalwart squire (Sancho). They encounter giants, a dragon and the beautiful Dulcinea.

Throughout the play, the brave pair also encounters "real world" people who at first poke fun at their imaginative play, but are inevitably transformed and inspired by Don Quixote's chivalrous ideals and Sancho's mighty imagination.

A gentle, very humorous tale, "The Adventures of Don Quixote" brings a book brilliantly to life and reminds us all that faith, love, courage and creativity are the best tools to help us find our own destiny.

The cast includes:
Jaryl Draper, a senior theatre arts/performance major, is Alonso/Don Quixote. A graduate of Kamiakin High School, Draper received his associate's degree from Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Wash., where he was active in the theatre department and appeared in numerous roles. Since arriving at CWU, He has appeared in "Hard Times" and as Merriman in "The Importance of Being Earnest," and as Dick Wilkins and Joe in "A Christmas Carol." Draper has also appeared in several one-act plays and was nominated for the Irene Ryan acting scholarship for his role in last season's Dr. Betty Evans Original One-Act play Festival. He is the son of Donnie and Brenda Draper of Richland, Wash.

Emily C. Usher, a freshman theatre arts/performance major, is Kendrick/Sancho. Usher is a 2006 graduate of Klahowya Secondary School and attended Olympic College in Bremerton, Wash. She appeared in the Dr. Betty Evans Original One-Act Play Festival in "Split Seconds" as Kim. She appeared in "Footloose" and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat" at Central Stage Theatre of County Kitsap (CSTOCK) and was the recipient of the 2007 CSTOCK Scholarship for Music and Acting. Usher was also recognized as the Outstanding Alto Soloist at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in 2006. She is the daughter of Scott and Christine Usher of Bremerton.

Lisa Marie Clarke, a senior theatre arts/performance major, is Aldonza/Dulcinea. Originally from El Cajon, Calif., she is a 2004 graduate of Skyline High School in Sammamish, Wash. Clarke has twice appeared in the Dr. Betty Evans Original One-Act Play Festival, for which she received an Irene Ryan acting scholarship nomination. Clarke appeared as Yvonne in the ensemble cast of "Vietnam 101: The War on Campus," and, most recently, as the orphaned baby seagull Lucky in the staged reading of "Mama Tomcat's Flying School." An active theatre major, Clarke has also served in several crew positions at CWU. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Alpha Lambda Delta and Omicron Delta Kappa. She is the daughter of Maurice and Vinny Clarke of Sammamish.

Kathryn Stahl, a junior theatre arts major, appears as the innkeeper and the dark knight, among other roles. A 2005 graduate of Auburn Riverside High School, Stahl was a member of the ensemble casts of "Bocon!" and the original production of "The Elf Prince" at Central. She has also served in many crew positions, most recently the "child wrangler" for "A Christmas Carol." Stahl has been an Irene Ryan partner in regional competitions, is the recipient of two Theatre Talent Scholarships, and was named Freshman of the Year for the Theatre Arts Department in 2006. She is the daughter of Peter and Karen Stahl of Algona, Wash.

Amanda Keogh, a freshman theatre arts performance major, is also a member of the ensemble playing multiple parts, including the role of Loretta. Keogh is a 2007 graduate of Shorecrest High School where she appeared in "Any Number Can Die!" and as the Wicked Witch of the West in "The Wizard of Oz," for which she received and honorable mention for best actress in a supporting role at the 5th Avenue Theatre Awards. She was a 2006 regional champion in the National Shakespeare Competition, English Speaking Union, and she appeared as Goneril in "King Lear" at the Young Shakespeare Workshop. Keogh appeared as Belle and Scrooge's niece in the CTE production of "A Christmas Carol," for which she received and Irene Ryan acting scholarship nomination. She is the daughter of Brett Keogh of Lake Forest Park, Wash., and Sara Keogh and Karen O'Connell of Shoreline, Wash.

Terry Curran, a junior theatre arts/tech-design major, serves as the production stage manager and tour manager. In addition to his managerial duties, he appears on stage in this production, and is serving as an assistant scenic designer for both "The Adventures of Don Quixote" and "Peter Pan" this quarter. A 2005 graduate of Bethel High School, Curran served as the production stage manager for "Vietnam 101: The War on Campus" and as the stage manager for "The Importance of Being Earnest." He was awarded Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Certificates of Merit for his work on both productions. Curran also serves as the president of the CWU student chapter of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology. He is the son of Rick and Tami Curran of Spanaway, Wash., and Paula Curran of Tacoma.

Media Contact: Teri Olin, CWU Public Relations & Marketing, olint@cwu.edu, 509-963-1416

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of place bound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO Title IX Institution.