North Central College students perform compelling drama “Float” Jan. 17-19

North Central College students will perform “Float,” a compelling play about women forced to confront life’s big issues.

Three performances of “Float” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17-19 in Madden Theatre at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. Tickets are $5/adults and $3/students and senior citizens.

Written by Chicago-based playwright Patricia Kane, “Float” is a funny, soulful play about five women getting together in a fictitious Midwestern town to decorate a float for an annual holiday parade and their evolving conversations about religion, sex, ethics and more. Chicago State Review says, “A small town scandal fuels more than just speculation and gossip, as Kane reveals the detailed emotional lives of these real people.”

The production is directed by North Central College senior theatre major Bryan Renaud of Sugar Grove and is part of the College’s Student Director Series.

“I love this show because it is real,” Renaud says. “People tend to think of theatre as grand, large, epic and romantic. But that’s not ‘Float.’ This play has real people—people you know—on stage in front of you representing your every fear and insecurity. It may even be uncomfortable, but it is necessary.”

The cast for “Float” features (role, actor, town, year, major):

Doodee: Colleen DeRosa of Downers Grove, a freshman majoring in musical theatre
Luce: Cassandra Nelson of Lincoln, Neb., a junior majoring in musical theatre
Char: Heidi Buyck of Woodridge, a senior majoring in theatre
Marty: Noelle Humbert of Geneva, a freshman majoring in musical theatre  
Artletta: Colleen O'Connor of Mesa, Ariz., a senior majoring in musical theatre

North Central College offers majors in theatre or musical theatre and a minor in dance. A full range of acting and dance classes is available, as well as opportunities to direct a full-length production. Students of all majors can participate in musical and nonmusical performances, actor showcases and one-act plays and performances in the College’s four theatre venues. Full-time professors and active professionals who are artist-teachers serve as faculty.

North Central College’s 2012-2013 Fine and Performing Arts Season is partially supported by USG Corporation and a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.