by Robert O’Hara
Directed by Abdul-Khaliq Murtadha
September 28 through October 8, 2023
Telfair B. Peet
Mainstage Theatre
Barbecue had its world premiere at the Public Theater (Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director; Patrick Willingham, Executive Director) in New York, October 8, 2015. The play was directed by Kent Gash. Barbecue was commissioned by Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago (Martha Lavey, Artistic Director; David Hawkanson, Executive Director).
It’s fun thinking about the things that make us laugh. I remember learning (somewhere in a high school drama club or improv course - someplace I could act silly without condemnation) that the purpose of comedy was to amuse. My Grandmother used to say, “Life gives us some hard truths honey, so, we laugh to keep from crying.”
Comedy, like any good story, is the art of telling the truth of what it’s like to be human. Comedy tells the truth about people.
More recently, the comic historian Mel Watkins helped me to see why the best comedians have their success. He said, “The real goal of comedy is not just to amuse us; that’s there, we should be amused… but the best comedy, it forces us to take a second look at society [and] at ourselves…. good comedy is about unmasking the pretenses you see in society.”
So that got me to thinking, “How much of society’s pretense, how much of our perception of truth is shaped by the media we consume?” Barbecue takes the hard truth of our sometimesskewed discernment and serves it up with a bit of sweet smoky wit.
My deepest belly laughs have always been with family and close friends. I guess there’s something about shared perspective that allows us to relax and let the subjective nature of comedy take over. Everyone has pointed a finger and laughed at something at one time or another; but what happens when the perspective shifts? Hopefully the laughter keeps coming, but with a sense of shared experience and empathy.
Special thanks to Dean Hicks, Dr. Carr, and all of the Department’s faculty, staff, and students for their hard work and support. Many thanks to my family for their love, laughter, and wit. And a HUGE Hallelujah to the Creator for having a sense of humor.
– Abdul-Khaliq Murtadha, DirectorArtistic Director: Tessa Carr
Director: Abdul-Khaliq Murtadha
Assistant Director: Daisha Flint
Costume Designer: Tracy Oleinick
Assistant Costume Designer: Linnie Johnston
Wig Designer: Sydney Pereira
Scenic, Lighting, and Projection
Designer: Fereshteh Rostampour
Sound Designer/Engineer: Andrew Lynch
Assistant Sound Designers: Lisa Alfa, Tony To
Fight Coach: Andrew Schwartz
Lisa Alfa, Patrick Barnett, Davy Davis, Harrison Dunn, Kate Johnson, William Johnson, Avery Melton, Jason Owens, Phillip Retzer, Evie Slaughenhoup, Lily Sosebee, Tino Soto, Andrew Vance, Reid Williams
Maddox Brock, Hannah Carstarphen, Nick DiJulio, Shelby Dupree, Cecilia Frederick, Elle Hartman, Morgan Hogans, Linnie Johnston, Presley McQuiddy-Gasparlin, Kathryn Mims, Bethany Novotny, Berkley Peacock, Lily Sfida, Michaela Williams.
Director of Production: Laura Sims
Technical Director: Matt Gist
Costume Shop Manager: Jennifer Salter
Stage Manager: Madison Todd
Assistant Stage Manager: Lily Sosebee
Wardrobe Supervisor: Maggie Cole
Draper: Sam Heilhecker
Props Coordinator: Madison Todd
Charge Artist: Amanda Jernigan
Head Electrician: Eve Jenkins
Wardrobe Supervisor: Elle Hartman
Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor: Sydney Pereira
Wardrobe Crew: Maddox Brock, Tapley Cronier, Kathryn Mims, Berkley Peacock, Kara Anne Smith
Light Board Operator: Avery Melton
Projections Operator: Reid Williams
Sound Board Operator: Noah Dimon
Deck Electrician: Davy Davis
Deck Crew: Jeb Bethel, Wil Eplett, Jason Owens, Philip Retzer, Reid Williams
Barbecue is a comedy
Barbecue is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by TRW PLAYS, 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. www.trwplays.com
Yet, like many family gatherings, tensions rise, and a variety of words are exchanged. The play contains strong adult language that may not be appropriate for all audiences, including words that some may find blasphemous. Please note that theatrical smoking, alcohol consumption, tasing, and physical restraint will occur as part of the production.
ACT ONE
A pavilion, surrounded by a local park somewhere in Middle America
Scene One: Zippity Boom
Scene Two: Jack Talkin’
Scene Three: Alaskan Fishtail
Scene Four: Intervention
15-MINUTE INTERMISSION
ACT TWO
Same park, one year earlier
Scene One: Barbecue
Scene Two: Blackout
Scene Three: Epilogue
Barbara .......................................
Movie Star Barbara ..........................
Lillie Anne ....................................... Avonlea Yeakley
Lillie Anne ........................................... Asha Knight
Adlean ........................................... Megan Starling
Adlean ........................................... Morgan Hogans
Marie ............................................... Hali Everette
Marie .......................................... Michaela Williams
James T. ........................................... Nick DiJulio
James T. ........................................ Patrick Barnett
Same Actor in Every
Oscar-Nominated Movie Every Year ................. Reid Williams
Patrick Barnett (James T.) is a sophomore musical theatre major from Lagrange, GA. This is Patrick’s third production here at Auburn, and he is extremely excited to be here! Patrick wants to thank his family for their continuous support and hopes you enjoy Barbecue!
Hannah Carstarphen (Movie Star Barbara) is a junior BFA theatre performance major from Mobile, AL. She previously appeared in Auburn University’s productions of The Wolves, Pippin, and … And Dance!, and as Titania in the Players Presents production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She currently stands as the Vice President of AU Players and is an active member of Mosaic Theatre Company. Hannah is elated to be a part of this wonderful show!
Nick DiJulio (James T.) is a senior BFA performance major from Auburn, AL, with a double major in visual media studies. He is a member of AU Players and the College of Liberal Arts’ Mosaic Theatre Company. Nick is honored to be a part of his 8th season production with AUTD.
Hali Everette (Marie) is a BFA music theatre major from Fairhope, AL. Her Auburn University Theatre and Dance credits include Logan in The Thanksgiving Play. She also has performed as Sharpay Evans in High School Musical and Miss Hannigan in Annie. Hali is an active member of AU Players (as social chair) and of campus Greek life.
Morgan Hogans (Adlean) is a senior BFA music theatre major from Dothan, AL. Auburn University theatre credits include Little Women (Jo Understudy), A Doll’s House Part 2 (Emmy), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Peaseblossom), Pippin (Ensemble), and the Players Presents production of Much Ado About Nothing (Hero). Morgan is very excited to be a part of this production and hopes you enjoy the show!
Asha Knight (Lillie Anne) is a senior BFA theatre performance major from Montgomery, AL. She has appeared in AUTD’s production of Twelfth Night (Mariner 1/Adriana) and in the Players Presents productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Robin Starveling) and Much Ado About Nothing (Margaret). She has also participated in Treasure Island (Ms. Crosslet/ Shanty band leader) and A Little Princess (Nurse/Bun Woman) at the Cloverdale Playhouse in Montgomery, AL. Asha is very excited to be a part of this production and hopes you enjoy!
Bethany Novotny (Barbara) is a senior from Arizona, pursuing her BFA in music theatre with a business minor. Some of her favorite credits include Pippin (Fastrada), Edges (Woman 3), and the Players Presents production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Demetrius) at Auburn University, and Boeing Boeing (Gretchen and Gloria US) and Rock of the Ages (Waitress #1/Ensemble/ Sherrie US) at Hope Repertory Theatre.
Lily Sosebee (Assistant Stage Manager) is a freshman BA theatre major from Powder Springs, GA. This is her first Auburn production. Her high school credits include Puffs (Stage Manager), Icarus (ASM), and The Phantom Tollbooth (Lighting Designer). Lily would like to thank her friends and family for their support.
Megan Starling (Adlean) is a wildlife sciences: pre-veterinary major with minors in theatre and honors business. She is from Troy, AL. Her previous theatre experience includes Auburn University’s Edges (ASM) and Pike Liberal Arts School’s Beauty and the Beast (Belle). She is beyond excited to be stepping into a performing role here at Auburn University, and she hopes you all enjoy the experience as much as she has.
Madison Todd (Stage Manager) is a junior BFA theatre management major minoring in Asian Studies from Columbus, GA. Her recent Auburn theatre credits include Twelfth Night (Stage Manager), Pippin (Stage Manager), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Stage Manager). Her professional credits include Legends in Concerts: Direct from London (Dresser) and Mary Poppins (Tech Crew) with the Fireside Theatre. Madison would like to thank her friends and family for supporting her to get where she is today.
Michaela Williams (Marie) is a junior BFA music theatre major from Columbus, GA. Their previous Auburn Theatre and Dance roles include #00 in The Wolves, Ensemble/Berthe Understudy in Pippin, as well as …And Dance! Michaela is also the T-Shirt Chair for the Auburn University Players and a member of Mosaic Theatre Company. She is so excited to have the opportunity to work with such a fantastic cast and crew and hopes you enjoy the show!
Reid Williams (Same Actor...) is a sophomore BFA music theatre major from Mobile, AL. Some of his recent roles include Jack Kelly in Disney’s Newsies and Emmett Forrest in Legally Blonde: The Musical. His previous crew positions include light board operator for Auburn’s productions of Twelfth Night and Edges, and run crew for AU Players’ production of Much Ado About Nothing. He’s very thankful to be able to work on both sides of this production and sends his love to the cast, creative crew, and the department for the opportunity to create with them!
Avonlea Yeakley (Lillie Anne) is a senior BFA performance major and a dance minor from Fulshear, TX. Their previous Auburn credits include A Doll’s House (Anne Marie), The Thanksgiving Play (Alicia), Twelfth Night (Maria), and ...And Dance! (Ensemble). Avonlea is a proud member of Mosaic Theatre Company and AU Players, and appeared in the Players Presents productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hermia) and Much Ado About Nothing (Don John). She wants to thank her family for supporting her dreams and her professors for giving her the tools to make them a reality.
Robert O’Hara has received the NAACP Best Play and Best Director Award, the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding New Play, two Obies and the Herb Alpert Award. Broadway: Slave Play (Tony Nomination). Off Broadway: He directed the world premieres of Jeremy O. Harris’ Slave Play, Nikkole Salter and Dania Guiria’s In the Continuum, Tarell McCraney’s The Brother/ Sister Plays (Part 2), Colman Domingo’s Wild with Happy, Kirsten Childs’ Bella: An American Tall Tale, Baum and Cheri’s Gun and Powder at Signature Theater, Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun at Williamstown Theater Festival, Aziza Barnes’ BLKS at MCC, Inda CraigGalvan’s Black Superhero Magic Mama at The Geffen Theater, the Universes’ Uni/Son, inspired by the poetry of August Wilson at OSF and Shakespeare’s Macbeth at Denver Center for the Performing Arts, as well as his own plays, Mankind, Bootycandy and Insurrection: Holding History. His plays Zombie: The American and Barbecue world premiered at Woolly Mammoth Theater and The Public Theater, respectively.
• Join us after the Thursday Oct. 5 performance for a talkback session with the actors and members of the artistic team.
• Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for interviews, takeovers, and other features about the show!
A spooky and immersive musical experience
Monstersongs
Oct. 26–Nov. 5, 2023
Telfair B. Peet Black Box
A celebration of dance
Fractals:
Infinite Movement
Nov. 14-17, 2023
Telfair B. Peet Mainstage
The Tony Award-winning musical Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
Feb. 22–Mar. 1, 2024
Telfair B. Peet Mainstage
A staged reading of the riveting play
The Children
Mar. 28–30, 2024
Telfair B. Peet Mainstage
An original work devised by AUTD students and UNIVERSES
Theatre Company
Apr. 18-21, 2024
Telfair B. Peet Black Box
We are profoundly grateful to our generous donors. Every gift helps to support the work of our department and our incredible theatre and dance students.
Becky Barlow and John Kush
Bret and Lauren Cuthbertson
Craig & Gabriele Darch
Cheryl Jones
E. Hurst Peacock and Erin Reynolds-Peacock
Dr. Catherine Perricone
Fudd Graham & Patty Tyler
Arthur Wilke
We need your permission to list your name. This listing includes all donors who have given us permission to list as of the time of printing. If your name is missing and you’d like to be included, please contact us to be added to the next program.
We are especially in need of gifts to support our Theatre and Dance Scholarship Fund. Our students depend on scholarship support to keep up rigorous academic and creative schedules, and to balance the various aspects of student life. Every gift, no matter the size, will make a difference!
Theatre has the potential to foster dialogue, alter perceptions, and inspire social change. The Auburn University Department of Theatre and Dance is dedicated to the education and professional training of theatre artists, scholars, and audiences within a liberal arts environment.
The Department champions the interaction between theory and practice and produces citizen artists who advocate for the arts through their own work in local, national, and international communities.
Auburn University theatre and dance students think critically, creatively, and collaboratively and carry their knowledge from rehearsal spaces and classrooms to stages, campuses, and communities worldwide. Learn more about our department and degree tracks at: auburnuniversitytheatre.org
Department Chair: Tessa Carr
Office Administrators: Becky Henderson, Hannah Herndon
Marketing Coordinator: Magalí Zaslabsky
Graphic Designer: Ashley Butler
Event Staff: Olivia Beland, Romelo Blackmon, Tatum Clark, Margaret Cole, William Eplett, Kate Johnson, Presley McQuiddy-Gasparlin, Kate Nymark, Evie Slaughenhoup, Ashleigh Vickery, and Reid Williams.
Costume Studio Assistants: Hali Everette, Claudia Peeples, Mary Grace Sullivan, Avonlea Yeakley
Props Assistant: Madison Todd
Production Assistant: Abigail Bowling
Marketing/Recruitment Assistants: Morgan Hogans, Bethany Novotny, Lily Sfida
Scenic Studio Assistants: Daisha Flint, Kara Anne Smith, Tino Soto
Sound & Lighting Assistant: Eve Jenkins
Wig Assistant: Sydney Pereira
Follow @auburnuniversitytheatre on Facebook and Instagram
Auburn University is an equal opportunity educational institution/employer.
Top: Jordinia Denson and Antonisia Collins in Detroit
’67 (2022), photo by Jeff Etheridge. Center: Telfair Peet Theatre, photo by Henry Eiland. Bottom: Madison Todd, stage manager, runs a rehearsal of Pippin (2022); photo by Magalí Zaslabsky.