After an eminently successful debut with the spring of 2022’s Vinegar Tom, Central Arkansas Theatre Collective is back! Spearheaded by founders and producers Mary Ruth Stewart and Paige Reynolds, CAT Collective will present Susan Glaspell’s classic work, Trifles. This famous one-act play (and its short story adaptation, “A Jury of Her Peers”) is loosely based on the 1900 murder case of John Hossack that Glaspell covered as a reporter working for the Des Moines Daily. Trifles, tied directly into real world events and implications, explores themes of justice, autonomy, and power through a sharp feminist lens.
CAT Collective’s production is directed by Katie Greer, who’s worked on many shows in Arkansas, including with UCA’s own Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre. She is supported by CAT Collective veteran and Red Lantern mainstay Vera Lambert as stage manager and the UCA English Department’s Rachel Glenn as assistant stage manager. Returning CAT Collective actors Holly Ruth Gale and Verda Davenport Booher powerfully play the leading roles of Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, respectively. The multitalented Tim Cooper plays George Henderson, and is also the show’s lighting designer and music director. The role of the sheriff is skillfully played by Jeremiah Herman, who is prominent in the Little Rock theatre scene. Lastly, UCA English’s Dwayne Coleman makes his theatrical debut as Lewis Hale.
A one-act play, Trifles moves quickly, allowing for two evening performances on March 9th, 10th, and 11th at 6:30pm and 8:30pm, and two daytime performances on March 12th at 2:30pm and 4:30pm. All performances take place in the Parish Hall at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church (925 Mitchell Street) in Conway. Tickets are $20 for adults, but $15 for students, seniors, and active military. You may purchase tickets in advance through Venmo at @catcollectivear or Cash App at $catcollectivear. Please remember to add the date and time you’ll be attending. Keep in mind that seating is limited; we’ll only have 36 available seats per showing.
We hope to see you there!