News from campus and beyond

Spend an evening “In a Town Near Faith”


Last updated November 6, 2013

By News administrator

On Saturday, Nov. 9 as part of Furman’s homecoming festivities, the Theatre Arts department will sponsor the reading of a new play by alum Randall David Cook, “In a Town Near Faith.”

The reading, which is free and open to the public, begins at 7 p.m. in the Playhouse.  Furman English professor Nick Radel will lead a talkback session after the reading.

Cook, a 1991 Furman graduate, is on campus this fall as the Duke Endowment Artist-in-Residence.

Set in North Carolina, the play touches on themes of race, religion and history. At the center of the play is a character based on Cook’s great-grandmother, Frona, a cousin of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

The cast will be comprised of professional actors from Trustus Theatre Company in Columbia and Furman student actors, as well as Furman philosophy professor Eiho Baba. Among the cast from Trustus is a former member of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

“In a Town Near Faith” has been in development in New York City for more than two years. It had a public reading last June at the Players Club in New York as part of Gotham Stage Company’s SPRINGboard reading series, and Cannes Best Actress winner and Tony-, Emmy- and Oscar-nominated Barbara Barrie played the role of Frona.

For more information, contact Furman’s Theatre Arts Department at 864-294-2125.

Contact Us
Clinton Colmenares
Director of News and Media Strategy