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DSU Spring Theatre production 'Spinning Into Butter'

The Dakota State University Spring theatre production is “Spinning into Butter” by Rebecca Gilman. The play deals with a racial incident that rocks a small, private, college campus. The controversy sparks reactions from faculty, students and administrators and at the center of it all is the dean of students, Sarah Daniels. She is forced to explore her own feelings of racism, leading to some surprising and painful insights.

The production will take place from February 28 through March 2 at 8pm and March 3 at 2pm in the Dakota Prairie Playhouse.

The cast includes:

·        Sarah Daniels, the dean of students, played by Amanda Johnson, a junior business management major from Lake Preston, SD.

·        Ross Collins, an art history professor, played by sophomore Rob Dale, a computer information systems major from Miller, SD.

·        Dean Catherine Kenney, Academic Dean, played by Molly Perry, a senior English Education major from Winner, SD.

·        Dean Burton Strauss, chair of Humanities Dept, played by Ben Warrey, a junior computer science major from Milbank, SD.

·        Mr. Meyers, a security guard, played by senior Matt Wilson, a computer information systems major from Beresford, SD.

·        Tricia Chibas, 19 year old student, played by Jennifer Trewatha, a freshman Elementary and Special Education major from White, SD

·        Gregg Sullivan, a senior at Belmont College, played by junior Bob Davidson, a junior multimedia web development major from Winner, SD.

Susan Conover, DSU director of theatre and associate professor of liberal arts directs the play. William Henjum, DSU associate professor of liberal arts, provides technical direction

The play was originally produced by the Goodman Theatre, Chicago, IL in 1999.  It was produced by the Lincoln Center Theatre, New York, NY in 2000.  Since then the play has been produced in London and regionally in the USA. It was produced last year by Mixed Blood and Park Square Theatres in the Twin Cities.