SPRINGFIELD -- Rising Up of the Springdale Ladies Aid Society, a play by Springfield playwright Carole Kennerly, will be presented in two performances – 8 p.m. Saturday, March 31, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 1 – in the Studio Theatre, located on the lower level of the Public Affairs Center at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Sponsors are the UIS Women's Issues Caucus and Women's Center.
Rising Up follows a group of women friends in the fictional town of Springdale, Illinois, from the late 1840s until 1972. As the women gain insight through abolitionist activities, their understanding of their own rights and roles is transformed and they learn to empower themselves and the generations of women who follow.
Cast members, all UIS students, are: Tricia Bennett (Grandmother), Paige Bloomfield (Betsy Jackson), Julian Borjas (Minister), Latrease Davenport (Lizzy Butler/Jane), Samantha Drews (Newspaper Boy), Drew Duzinskas (John Glasgow), Anne Finch (Gladys), Wes King (Bert Jackson), Amanda Looney (Sarah Glasgow), Anica Malabanan (Mattie Lawrence), Elizabeth Morales (Mathilda), Naarah Patton (Annabelle Jackson), Nelida Patton (Grandaughter), Ashley Rook (Rose Ingle), and Bob Skorczewski (Mayor).
Co-directors are UIS student Anica Malabanan and alumna Loretta Gasparin. Graduate student Demetrius Delancy will perform the musical interludes.
Tickets are $12 for adults or $5 for students with current ID and are available at the Sangamon Auditorium ticket office, PAC level two. All proceeds will be used to underwrite student participation in various conferences during the school year.
To order tickets, contact the ticket office by phone at 206-6160 or by e-mail at info@SangamonAuditorium.org, or go to www.uis.edu/sangamonauditorium/tickets/index.htm.
For more information about the play, contact Women's Center director Lynn Otterson at 206-7173.
