oh to be pure again
by Texas State University Department of Theatre, Dance and Film

Oct. 17 - Oct. 27
Thursdays-Sundays

During one hot Texas summer at a Charismatic Christian camp, an idealistic counselor works to shepherd the senior girls’ cabin along their journey to make an authentic connection with something bigger than themselves, only to be confronted with disillusionment of her own faith. A visceral ode to female desire, submission, rebellion, and growing up in a religious culture that's obsessed with purity.

Directed by Caitlin Parker

Winner of the Gene Gabriel Moore Playwriting Award (2023), Rockwell’s oh, to be pure… holds a magnifying glass to the delicate, formative phase of self-discovery watershed to the female experience.Set against a Texas summer backdrop, the play follows six young women as they progress through a week at a Christian church camp in 2010. Rockwell’s writing dedicates itself to making this a representation, not a parody, of women navigating faith, gender dynamics, self-love, and identity.

Director Caitlin Parker, a second-year MFA student, hailed the story as “wonderful and joyful.” Parker continued, “In the end, we have a baptism, a rebirth. It’s a ritualistic return to nature, and girlhood, and desire, and worship, and love. All of the things God is supposed to be.”

The production features a strong, core female cast made up of Eva De Guelle (Autumn), Fallon Fontenot (Rachel), Hailey Heitmeyer (Trina), Rheagan Higgins (Luna), Sierra Salazar (Jean Ruby), and Lilli Shank (Becca). The cast also features Hunter Domzalski (Adrian) and Jaden Petty (Rachel’s Dad).

The run will include an understudy performance on Saturday, Oct. 19. The understudy cast consists ofKennedy Burns (Luna), Kylie Hill (Jean Ruby), Hailey Heitmeyer (Trina), Jaden Petty (Adrian), Nathan Schutt (Rachel’s Dad), Karina Bozanich (Autumn), Miranda T. Grauzas (Becca), and Kady Waldmann (Rachel).

The creative team includes Kacey Wasson, scenic designer; Michael Aguilar, costume designer; AJ Rose, lighting designer; Julia Kovar, sound designer; Isha Patel, dramaturg; Magali Carrasquillo, technical director; and Jessie Flam, production stage manager.  

---

oh to be pure again
by Kira Rockwell
Texas State University Department of Theatre, Dance and Film

October 17-20 & 25-27, 2024

Understudy performance on Oct. 19.

Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.

PSH Foundation Studio Theatre, main theatre building, Texas State University

Tickets range from $10 to $15 and can be bought online at www.txstatepresents.com.