By: Blake Allen, Vanguard Staff Writer

The theatre department is buzzing with excitement with three shows and opportunities for the student body.

Ashley Schaar, a theater and computer information systems freshmen, said, “How excited am I about this new year? On a scale of 1-10, I think eight billion.”

The first show is directed by Richard B. Roberts, associate professor of theatre, and written by Suzan Zeder. It is the bi-annual children production “Wiley and the Hairy Man,” which was originally an African-American folktale in nature brought to America by the French Creole.

This show takes place in Louisiana in the deep swamps of the Tombigee featuring the protagonist Wiley who is a fatherless young boy, his imagined mother, his loyal hound dog and “the hairy man.”

Wiley must learn to believe in himself and face his fears.

This play for all ages will show Oct. 8-13 at the Malcolm Field Theatre for Performing Arts.

Roberts said, “This is the first children’s show that I have had the pleasure of directing, and I am excited to do so.”

The second show, directed by David Rzeszutek, assistant professor of theater, and written by Michael Hollinger, is the “Incorruptible.”

It is a dark comedy about how the patron saint of the local monastery doesn’t seem to be making as many miracles as it did before. As they are backed into a corner, the monks decide to take desperate action to gain their miracles back in the only way they know how.

The age group for this show is 16 and older,. It runs Nov. 16-20.

The third performance, “A Wonderful Life! A 1940s Radio Show,” adapted and directed by both Roberts and Rzeszutek, is about the protagonist, George Bailey, who has to put his wants aside to deal with his family.

After the carelessness of a family member makes him the target of humiliation and financial burden, he considers ending his life. This is interrupted by an angel who shows him what his accomplishments have done for his hometown.

The play is rated for all families.

“Other theaters are trying to go away from the old traditional Christmas plays, but I want to see Christmas stuff,” Rzeszutek said.

“We want to create an event for the families of the Saginaw Community, something to bring them together, both young and old,” he said.

The theatre department is looking for auditions from the entire campus and not just theatre students.

Roberts said, “Students who have acting experience in high school or community theatre get to college and think that the magic is over, but that is not true.”

He continued, “We’re always looking for new talent and love to see fresh faces amongst the people looking to audition.”