| Nov. 3, 2009 CONTACT: Ian Ferguson 806-292-3255, iferguson@wtamu.edu COPY BY: Rana McDonald, 806-651-2129, rmcdonald@mail.wtamu.edu WTAMU Student to Direct 'Sight Unseen' CANYON, Texas—An involving story of love, identity, fame and insecurity will take to the stage when West Texas A&M University presents Sight Unseen at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12-14 and Nov. 18-21 in the Happy State Bank Studio Theatre in the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex on campus. Ian Ferguson, a senior theatre major from Amarillo, will direct the drama written by Donald Margulies. “I selected Sight Unseen for a few reasons,” Ferguson said. “The effect of Margulies’ writing was such that once I began reading the play I really didn’t look up or do anything else until I’d completed it. His style is very natural, his characters are very relatable, and his sense of psychology with human interplay is impeccable. All of these attentions to detail and nuance drew me in, and I knew I wanted to put this on our stage.” Sight Unseen follows Jonathan Waxman, a well-known artist, to London for an exhibition of his work. While there he reconnects with a former lover. A non-linear plot progression covering 17 years tells their story as the artist, his former lover and her husband struggle to make sense of it all. Sight Unseen earned Margulies an Obie Award, and the play also was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize. Ferguson earned the right to direct the play after completing courses on directing with Royal Brantley, professor of theatre and head of the Department of Art, Theatre and Dance. Students who pass the courses can apply for independent study directing opportunities. “The wonderful thing for a director is that I’ll always learn something doing it,” Ferguson said. “It’s not only because this is my first full play to direct, but if I direct for 65 more years I’ll learn more each time. It’s almost like a mystery at times, figuring out what exactly an actor needs to hear to capture the same idea; the same moment and vision in their mind as I’ve been having. Once that combination is cracked, we reach rhythm of communication with one another, and the effect is really somewhat exhilarating.” Cast members for Sight Unseen are listed by hometown, classification, major and role.
Amarillo
Travis Johnson, a junior theatre major—Jonathan Waxman
Borger
Lane Bridges, a sophomore theatre major—Nick
Dalhart
Jess Phillips, a junior theatre major—Grete
Mt. Enterprise
Emmy Harris, a freshman theatre major—Patricia Tickets for WTAMU theatre productions are priced at $10 each for reserved seating and $7 each for senior citizens and children 12 and under. Season tickets are available and offer ticket holders convenience and savings. Group rates also are available. For more information, call the BIT box office at 806-651-2804. —WTAMU— | 
