Production, set to open February 23, includes cast of students, community members

Gary, Ind. – Indiana University Northwest School of the Arts is pleased to announce the upcoming production of Everybody, a play by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.

Everybody is a 2017 adaptation of the 15th-century morality play Everyman. This irreverent modern riff on a morality play takes us on a journey through life’s greatest mystery: the meaning of living. The main character, “Everybody,” is ordered by Death to meet God and provide a report of his life. After convincing Death to allow him to bring a willing companion, Everybody begs his friends, family and even his material possessions to come with him, all to no avail.

“When I first read this play; it immediately felt fresh and funny, and in step with today’s world,” said IU Northwest Assistant Professor and Director Mark Baer. “Along with our fall production of A Bright New Boise, this play continues our season-long meditation on the meaning of faith in today’s America. We chose these plays because although they have sharply contrasting styles, both ask the audience to wrestle with the question, ‘What do you believe?’”

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins is an American playwright from Brooklyn, New York. He was awarded the 2014 Obie Award for Best New American Play. Everybody was a finalist for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. He is the creator and executive producer of Kindred on Hulu.

The cast of Everybody will include a mix of students and community members. IU Northwest Theatre majors Tyler Marrie (Crown Point), Mark Reese (Gary) and Hailey Ross (East Chicago) are joined by biology major Enna Ton (Chesterton) and social work major Nate Reardon (Crown Point). Marc Ryser, (Dyer), Shallon Farmer (Gary), Brandon Hearne (Gary) and Samantha Baer (Crown Point) round out this talented company.

Performances of Everybody will take place on the Arts and Sciences Mainstage Theatre located on the IU Northwest campus. The performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. on February 23, February 24 and March 2 and at 3 p.m. on February 25 and March 1.

Tickets are $10 and available at the door. Reservations are recommended to ensure seat availability. Please visit https://www.iun.edu/theeveatre/forms/ticket-reservations.htm or call 219-980-6668 to reserve your ticket. The Box Office will also be open for in-person transactions 90 minutes before each performance.