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February 21, 2008

“The Miss Firecracker Contest” debuts at ULM March 13 – 16; Miss ULM Erica Durr stars

The University of Louisiana at Monroe Theatre Department will present “The Miss Firecracker Contest” March 13 – 15 at 7:30 p.m. and March 16 at 2 p.m., all at ULM’s Black Box Theatre.

The play will be performed “in the round,” so seating is limited. This arrangement calls for aisles and the entrance to be used as part of the set, so late arrivals will be turned away. Tickets go on sale two weeks before the show. The performance is free for ULM students, faculty and staff with I.D. Guest tickets are $10 each. For advance tickets, please call: (318) 342-1414.

“Miss Firecracker Contest” is by the award-winning playwright Beth Henley and is the story of a young woman in the Deep South who seeks redemption and approval by participating in—and hopefully winning—the local Fourth of July beauty pageant, the Miss Firecracker Contest. She is surrounded by her cousins and friends who are trying to support her, and yet are consumed by their own need for redemption and approval.

Miss ULM Erica Durr will play the central role of Carnelle Scott, who hopes to leave behind her “checkered past” and gain a new reputation, then to leave her small town in a “blaze of glory!” She is not a typical beauty queen, and must seek her prize in a twisted and humorous series of events involving family, the contest, and a few other comedic characters along the way.

Gregory Bruce, assistant professor and technical director of the ULM Theatre Department, is directing the production—his first at the university.

Cast List:

• Carnelle- Erica Durr (a senior toxicology major from Marthaville)
  
• Popeye- Kyla Nelson (a sophomore accounting major from Pineville)
  
• Elain- Shonda Butts (a senior psychology major from Jonesville)
  
• Tessy- Julie Self (a junior biology major from West Monroe)
  
• Delmont- Kenneth Harris (a senior chemistry major from West Monroe)
  
• Mac Sam- Charles Pridgen (a senior music major from West Monroe)

Understudy Cast List:

• Elain/Popeye- Cassey Bennett (a senior toxicology major from Doyline)
  
• Carnelle/Tessy- Lyndsey Floyd (a junior English major from West Monroe)
  
• Delmont/Mac Sam- Aaron Durr (a freshman general studies major from Marthaville)

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