By Eliane Bonilla/reporter

South Campus’ Carillon Theatre will start the fall semester with Steel Magnolias, written by Robert Harling and directed by Lindy Benton-Muller.

Steel Magnolias originally takes place in Louisiana in the ’80s, but this performance is set in present-day. The story is about a group of six women, the way they cope with life and the journey it takes them through. The original production was with an all-white cast. A later Lifetime movie was done with an all-African-American cast. This cast is blended.

Benton-Muller said she feels it is important to have a diverse cast for the performance at TCC.

“Bits and pieces were changed to keep up with the times,” said Lauren Kirkpatrick, who is performing as Shelby.

Kirkpatrick researched for her part by learning the origin of the play. She thought it was touching to find out the author wrote it as a memorial for his sister.

“I can easily relate to Shelby because she’s very girly and likes pretty things,” Kirkpatrick said. “She’s bubbly, sees the best in all situations, and I think I’m optimistic.”

Ouiser, a stubborn, outspoken, grumpy woman, is performed by Melisa Platt, who said she studied old people and found different characteristics that seemed to fit Ouiser.

“I didn’t care what part I got as long as I got a part. That’s all I wanted,” Platt said.

Andreia Buckner portrays Truvy, the owner of the beauty parlor where the majority of the scenes take place. This is not Buckner’s first time performing in Steel Magnolias and played the role of Truvy before.

“I saw the movie in the past, but I haven’t recently watched it,” Buckner said. “But I have been watching beauty shop reality shows like Jerseylicious and Chicagolicious.”

Annelle, played by Me’Shellia Allums-Davis, is the new girl in town who works at Truvy’s and is trying to figure her life out.

“I did a character analysis of Annelle, read the script and just thought about how things are when I go to the beauty shop,” Allums-Davis said.

The last of the main characters is M’Lynn. Caitlin Reed, who plays the part, said she’s excited to be in the performance even though she has never seen the movie or the play.

“I plan on seeing the movie after the play is over,” Reed said.

The production runs at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4-6 in the Joe B. Rushing Center for the Performing Arts.

Tickets are sold at the box office on the day of the performance starting at 7 p.m.

Admission is free for TCC students, faculty and staff, $3 for non-TCC students and senior citizens and $6 for the general public. Late seating is not allowed.