JM
Jaylen Marks
  • Rockford, IL

Jaylen Marks to Perform In Augustana College's Production of the Arsonists

2012 Oct 4

Augustana College's Department of Theatre Arts will present The Arsonists, the first production of its 2012-13 season, "Balancing Act," October 12-21 at 7:30 p.m. on Friday/Saturday and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday in Potter Theatre on the upper level of Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts (3701 7th Ave). Tickets are $11 for the general public and $9 for senior citizens, students and Augustana faculty/staff.

Jaylen Marks, a first year from Rockford, Ill., majoring in liberal studies will perform in the show.

The Arsonists is the story of the Biedermanns, who lead a quiet, secure and comfortable upper middle-class life. Despite the fact that the town in which they reside is reeling from a series of arson attacks, Mr. Biedermann believes his success in business, his intelligence and his own good nature will protect them from any harm. But a simple knock at the door starts a series of events that will inevitably lead to a tragic downfall. This dark comedy enjoyed a successful 2007 revival in London's Royal Court Theatre, starring the wildly popular stage and screen actor, Benedict Cumberbatch. Alistair Beaton's new, modern translation proves The Arsonists to be as timely and relevant as it was when written by Max Frisch in 1953.

Director Jeffrey Coussens, professor and chair of the theatre arts department, commented, "I have come to realize that even though Max Frisch wrote this dark comedy in the 1950s, it has become increasingly topical and relevant to the world in which we live. Today we are surrounded by threats, both real and imaginary. The Arsonists really makes us reflect on the expectations and limits of our personal ethical responsibility in dealing with perceived threats to our communities."

John D'Aversa '15, an Asian studies major from Plainfield, Ill., plays the character of Eisenring. "The Arsonists is a more powerful play than expected, and in a different way than is commonly displayed." he said. "It shows not an evil entity, but a dark and macabre one. It touches on parts of the human psyche that are too often left untouched."

Tickets can be purchased through the Augustana Ticket Office (309) 794-7306 or at augustana.edu/tickets. For more information, contact Sam Schlouch, manager of arts events and communication at (309) 794-7833 or samschlouch@augustana.edu.

About Augustana: Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a selective four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences. Augustana is recognized for the innovative program Augie Choice, which provides each student up to $2,000 to pursue a high-impact learning experience such as study abroad, an internship or research with a professor. Alumni include 139 Academic All-Americans, a Nobel laureate, 12 college presidents and other distinguished leaders. The college enrolls 2,500 students and is located along one of the world's most important waterways, the Mississippi River, in a community that reflects the diversity of the United States.