Jessa Hendricker of Clinton, Illinois, directs Olivet's student production of 'Outside Mullingar'

2017 Mar 28

Jessa Hendricker, a resident of Clinton, Illinois, directs "Outside Mullingar," the 2017 spring play at Olivet Nazarene University. Presented by Olivet's Green Room student theatre group, this production introduces Hendricker in her directing debut. She has previously performed in 11 Olivet productions, most recently "Guys and Dolls." A senior communication major with minors in theatre and musical theatre, she is a graduate of Clinton Community High School.

"Throughout my four years in Olivet's theatre program, I have had the opportunity to have hands-on experience in almost every aspect of theatre, both onstage and off," Hendricker says. "Through many classes and eight different productions, Professor Jerry Cohagan has poured into me the wisdom of a director in both planning and preparing. Professor AE Sarver has also been an incredible mentor and friend to me, allowing me to learn lessons the hard way and truly grow as a person and director."

"I hope those who come to see this show leave feeling lighter with a renewed sense of hope," she adds. "This play is truly a breath of fresh air."

Set in rural Ireland, this play is the story of two families whose farms border one another. Through the years there has been an ongoing dispute regarding a certain section of the land. But what happens when the heir-apparent son is attracted to the heir-apparent young lady? It is a sweet, quirky love story which played Broadway in 2014. The New York Times called John Patrick Shanely's work "a lighter, slighter play, a softhearted comedy freckled with dark reflections on the unsatisfactory nature of life and the thorns of love."

Show times for Olivet's production are: Thursday, March 30, 2017, 7 p.m.; Friday, March 31, 7 p.m.; Saturday, April 1, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Kresge Auditorium in Larsen Fine Arts Center on Olivet's main campus in Bourbonnais, Illinois. Tickets are $8 for general admission, with 100 student discount tickets available. Purchase tickets online at olivet.edu/tickets or call 815-928-5543.