This year, Terre Haute's professional summer theatre company, Crossroads Repertory Theatre, will feature five members of the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) community.

The first production of the season, Shakespeare's “Much Ado About Nothing,” will open on June 19 and will feature Sharon Ammen, SMWC associate professor of theatre; Whitney Kos, a current SMWC student who is majoring in English education; and Carolyn Rodkey, who graduated from SMWC in 2002 with an individualized major. Widely known as one of Shakespeare's most entertaining comedies, “Much Ado About Nothing,” tells the tale of two unlikely lovers who are simply too wise to woo! The production, which is set in the 1930s and features big band music, promises to be a visual and technological treat for all audiences!

“The Fantasticks,” which will open on June 25, will feature Amanda Miller, who graduated from SMWC in 2008 with a music major and a women and theatre minor. One of the most frequently performed musicals ever, “The Fantasticks” is a love story where two fathers employ reverse psychology and build a wall to make sure their children get together, only to learn that there are complications far greater than limestone to preserving a relationship. The love journey is a roller-coaster ride through humor, pathos, surprise, and wonder and features favorite melodies at every turn.

On July 2, Sharon Ammen will be featured again, but this time as the director of her musical adaptation of the beloved children's story “The Velveteen Rabbit.” By turns witty and poignant, “The Velveteen Rabbit” is one of the most beloved children's stories of all time. Written in 1922 by Margery Williams, this classic tells the tale of a toy rabbit and the little boy who loves him. Follow the quest of the rabbit to become “real” as he meets the wise Skin Horse, the arrogant Mechanical Toys, and a very beautiful flower fairy. Miller will star as the Velveteen Rabbit, and Kos will also serve as an actor in this production. In addition, Judy Stoffel, a SMWC professor emerita who is an expert on children’s literature, will serve as the guest lecturer after the performance on July 5.

Ammen will also act in the final production of the season, “The Safety Net.” In this comedy, David, a young New York attorney, returns to his Indianapolis hometown for the funeral of his adopted brother, with whom he had become estranged. This event sets in motion David’s quest to help his brother’s pregnant girlfriend, only to lose track of where to draw the line. Written by Indiana State alum and Hollywood screenwriter/Off-Broadway playwright Christopher Kyle, this poignant, fluidly-written comedy-drama introduces a family who, despite strains and confusion of limits, is doing its best to love one another. The production opens July 9.

Don't miss this chance to see professional theatre at inexpensive prices right in Terre Haute! For a complete schedule of shows and ticket prices, visit http://www.crossroadsrep.com or call 812-237-3342.

Crossroads Repertory, a professional theater company with a respected forty-year history, is committed to presenting compelling, thoughtful and diverse theater in Terre Haute, Ind., from mid-June through late-July of each year. The program includes both classic and new plays and musicals, as well as educational programs and staged readings of new plays.

One valued feature of the company is the integral combination of professional directors and designers with professional equity actors, professional non-equity actors, community actors and our most advanced graduate and undergraduate students. Crossroads Repertory Theatre is the only professional theater company in the Wabash Valley of West Central Indiana; all of the directors, designers, actors and technicians are paid for their work.

The theatre area at SMWC offers students a unique major titled “Women and Theatre.” The major degree is for women who are considering work in the theatre and wish to become a part of the vanguard of women creating major changes in the arts. Students pursuing this degree gain invaluable skills in teamwork, self-discipline, effective communication, and critical thinking.

SMWC also offers a theatre minor in both the campus and the Woods External Degree (WED) programs. This minor can serve as a useful addition to a major in such varied fields as vocal performance, art, psychology, business, or education. SMWC graduates with theatre majors and minors have gone on to perform in professional theatre, manage children's theatre groups, become lawyers, and receive full assistantships to pursue graduate study.

For more information about the theatre programs at SMWC, contact Sharon Ammen at sammen@smwc.edu. For information on scholarships and financial aid, contact the SMWC Office of Admission by email at smwcadms@smwc.edu or by phone at 812-535-5106 or 1-800-926-SMWC.