Theatre Northwest, the performance company of the Indiana University Northwest Department of Performing Arts, is proud to announce its fall production of afterlife: a ghost story by Steve Yockey, best known as a screenwriter for the popular TV series Supernatural.

The show is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., November 2, 3, 4 and 9, 10, 11, with a matinee performance at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 5. All performances are in the Studio Theatre, adjacent to the Theater at the new Arts & Sciences Building.

IU Northwest students Joshua Kime of Griffith and Elizabeth Ramos of Schererville chose the script for the fall production. Both will play leading roles in the production before graduating in December with bachelor’s degrees in theatre. 

“I was drawn to the script because it is an intense emotional acting challenge,” said Ramos, reflecting on what will be her fourth performance for Theatre Northwest. “It’s beyond anything I have attempted before.”

A ghost story in the literal sense, the play takes place in present day and follows Danielle and her husband Connor as they return to their oceanfront home to prepare for an impending hurricane. As the violent weather moves ever closer, the two are forced to face their fear of the past, the cracks that have formed in their marriage, and the dwindling possibility of recovery from their loss. Dark in tone and vibrant in imagery, afterlife intertwines the fantastical and the realistic to create a familiar world in which anything can happen.

Production puts IU Northwest students front and center

Associate Professor of Acting and Directing Mark Baer directs a strong cast of students, including freshmen Madison Breford of Crown Point, Sam Lee of Chesterton, Karly Carden of Chesterton, Elijah Sabourin of Chesterton, and junior Amber Holley of Griffith.

This production is the first presented in the Studio Theatre, a small performance space which offers maximum intimacy and flexibility. It features a scenic design by Associate Professor Katherine Arfken, technical direction by Tim O’Donnell, costume design by IU Northwest alumna Stephanie Naumoff, lighting design by guest artist Shelley Strasser-Holland, and puppet design by IU Northwest alumna Jen Lundin-Heavner.

Additional IU Northwest students working behind the scenes include: Sydney Hale of Hammond as stage manager; Nana Asabere of Merrillville and Nathan Pratl of St. John as assistant stage managers; Brian Thomas-Chopps of Crown Point as sound designer; Jay-Lan Haliburton of Gary as assistant sound designer; Charles Weaver of Merrillville as sound board operator; Eric Munoz of Hammond as assistant props designer; and Kyle Taylor of Cedar Lake as light board operator.

General admission tickets are $10. Cash or check only will be accepted at the door. Reservations are highly recommended, as performances will sell out. Reserve your seats online at http://www.iun.edu/theatre/ or by calling 219-980-6808.

About Theatre Northwest

Theatre Northwest, the performance company of the Indiana University Northwest Department of Performing Arts, is highly regarded as an affordable and accessible performance venue serving the communities of Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland. The theatre also serves as a platform for up-and-coming talent of the Department of Performing Arts, the only public theatre degree program in Northwest Indiana.