NSU Theatre Program presenting the play “God of Carnage”

ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release) – The Northern State University Theatre Program will present the play “God of Carnage” in the Johnson Fine Arts Center Black Box Theatre.

Performances will run at 7:30 p.m. nightly Feb. 18-20 and at 3 p.m. Feb. 21.

In “God of Carnage,” Playwright Yasmine Reza brings together two sets of parents after their boys get into a fight that ends with two teeth lost. A polite meeting to discuss the aftermath of the altercation sees the conversation and drinks flow. Soon, lines are drawn—and crossed—as allegiances shift and these supposedly cultured parents spew ugliness that makes their boys seem like the mature ones. Repressed vitriol pours out, coating all involved in inconvenient truths about who we really are as a society.

Jake Swanson, an Elementary Education major with a Theatre minor, appears in “God of Carnage” as Alan Raleigh, the father of the son who disfigured his playmate. Swanson enjoys the challenge of the role, saying, “After last semester’s comedies like ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and ‘A Thanksgiving Play,’ the realness of ‘God of Carnage’ is a really different style of acting. The characters try to balance their manners and raw emotions to look like good parents and better people. They don’t always succeed. It’s cool to play a character who isn’t afraid to show his bad side.”

Assistant Professor Dr. Kane Anderson directs the intimate, four-actor production. He notes, “The core of ‘God of Carnage’ is revealing the parts of ourselves that our culture expects us to hide. These parents come together with perhaps the best of intentions to show their boys how to address problems constructively. The frictions between them showcase both the value and failures of genteel society, which feels very timely after our particularly fraught political season. While ‘God of Carnage’ isn’t a play about politics, the story is one where performing compromise is a lot harder than anyone expects.”

The production is directed by Dr. Kane Anderson, Assistant Professor of Acting and Directing. Northern’s artistic staff includes Noah J. Files, Assistant Professor of Theatre Design, as scenic designer and sound designer, as well as Production Manager Brian Omland as lighting designer.

Ticket Information:

Due to COVID-19, admission is free to all 2020-21 NSU School of Fine Arts events. Limited seating is available in the Black Box Theatre; passes will be distributed at the door on a first come, first served basis. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early. Masks are required for all patrons, as mandated by the S.D. Board of Regents. Also, attendees are asked to follow appropriate social-distancing protocols.

Please note this show is intended for mature audiences.