CSUF Production Heads to Washington D.C.

“Diviners” to be Showcased at the Kennedy Center April 18-19

April 9, 2007

By Gail Matsunaga

The Spring 2006 CSUF production of “The Diviners” has been selected by national honors by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF). The production will be performed April 18-19 during the organization’s 39th annual gathering at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

Written by James Leonard Jr., “The Diviners” won the National Student Playwriting Award at the 1980 KCACTF. An instant hit, the play was staged at New York’s Circle Repertory Company, and Leonard subsequently received the Dramatists Guild New Play Award, two New York Villager Awards and three National Endowment for the Arts Playwriting Fellowships.

“The Diviners” centers around Buddy, a teenager who becomes mentally impaired when he nearly drowns as a toddler and loses his mother, who dies in the process of saving his life. Consequently, he’s mortally afraid of water and hasn’t washed in 12 years, yet, miraculously, he has been bestowed with the gift of divining water. He eventually befriends another diviner, C.C. Showers, a preacher from Kentucky burned out on preaching, and through their friendship, Buddy finds salvation and C.C. heals his wounds.

“This is a rare privilege that we have enjoyed before, but it is always a grand surprise for our department and an exciting opportunity for our students,” noted Susan Hallman, chair and professor of theatre and dance. “It is especially notable as the production is directed by a graduate student, Patrick Pearson, and features student designs in scenery, costumes, lighting, makeup and sound.”