Tennessee Williams’ drama rolls onto campus this fall

By Michael Foster-Sanders/campus editor

The NE Campus theater program will present the Tennessee Williams’ classic A Streetcar Named Desire this month.

The play is regarded as one of the finest plays of the 20th century and follows Blanche DuBois after the loss of her family.

Director Stephen Thomas said it’s an honor and a joy anytime a person gets to direct or act in an Tennessee Williams play.

“The students get to do probably America’s greatest play with a budget, and it’s a textbook exercise in modern-day American acting,” he said.

NE student Ariana Stephens, who plays the lead role of Blanche, spoke about how the character is a dream role for her.

“Blanche is one of those characters who doesn’t come along that often, and Tennessee Williams did such an extraordinary job writing for female characters,” she said.

Stephens elaborated on what she hopes to take away from playing the role.

“Every experience is a learning experience, and I knew taking this role would kick my ass,” she said. “But my acting teacher in high school told me ‘The moment an actor decides to stop learning is the moment the actor dies.’”

Performances start at 7 p.m. Oct. 11-14 with an Oct. 14 matinee performance starting at 2 p.m.