Howard Payne University’s theatre program has a busy summer planned. The students, who have been invited to perform the dramatic comedy “Grimaldi: King of the Clowns” at the International Collegiate Theatre Festival (ICTF) in Edinburg, Scotland, in August, will raise funds for the trip with local performances of a show of a different nature.

The company will perform the popular comedy “Greater Tuna” at the HPU Theatre on June 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m. and June 3 at 2:30 p.m. Set in the fictional town of Tuna, Texas, original production of the Joe Sears, Jaston Williams and Ed Howard play began in Austin in 1981. By 1985, it was the most produced play in the U.S.

Joshua Helms, a senior from Lindale, and Rivers Shotwell, a senior from Grand Saline, will star in the production, together playing a total of 15 characters.

Tickets for “Greater Tuna” are $5 and can be reserved by calling the School of Music and Fine Arts at (325) 649-8500. The group will then tour the production in Van on July 6 and 7 and in Waco on July 13. Other dates and locations are pending.

“Grimaldi: King of the Clowns” was written by Randal T. Murray, a friend of Dr. Nancy Jo Humfeld, director of theatre and head of the Department of Theatre at HPU. It portrays the life and career of Joseph Grimaldi, Jr., who is the father of the modern-day clown.

“Combining Italian commedia, English pantomime and realism, this show runs the gamut from fun physical comedy to dark drama as the life of Grimaldi unfolds,” said Humfeld. “It is truly a tour de force and provides incredible opportunities for the actors’ best talents.”

HPU is one of only 18 universities from the U.S. chosen to perform at the ICTF. The event runs in conjunction with the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the world’s largest performing arts festival with more than half a million attendees annually from all over the world. HPU will perform at the festival on August 6, 8, 9 and 11.

“We are so excited to be able to represent our university at this exciting event,” said Humfeld. “Our students have worked hard to raise funds for the trip while preparing for their performances. This is such a great educational opportunity for our students as they will be able to perform on an international stage, attend numerous performances chosen from the hundreds offered at the festival and begin networking in their profession. I am so very proud of them!”

Students going on the trip are Helms; Shotwell; Katelyn Bare, a sophomore from Quito, Ecuador; Colbie Crow, a freshman from Brownwood; Katherine Dobson, a junior from Rowlett; Audrey Harris, a junior from Early; Tucker Hull, a junior from Brownwood; Jared Russell, a sophomore from Hillsboro; Phoenix Solis, a junior from Brownwood; Alexandra Taliaferro, a sophomore from Springtown; Doris Walton, a freshman from Lolita; Brittni West, a junior from Arlington; and Jarrod White, a junior from Ben Wheeler.

Click the photo gallery below for preview photos from a recent dress rehearsal.  Photos by Ray Tipton

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