The Southwestern College theatre department, with direction by Allyson Moon, will present three shows titled “The Norman Conquests” on Oct. 11-16 and 18 in Messenger Recital Hall.

“Each part of the trilogy can be enjoyed as a separate entity, or all three can be enjoyed consecutively,” Moon says.

The three separate parts of the trilogy will be presented on consecutive nights, with all three parts on tap for Sunday. The schedule will be: Trilogy part 1, Sunday, Oct. 11, at 7:30 p.m., and Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 8 p.m.; Trilogy part 2, Monday, Oct. 12, at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 15, at 8 p.m.; Trilogy part 3 Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7:30 p.m. and Friday 16, at 8 p.m. The Sunday, Oct. 18, schedule has part 1 at 1:30 p.m., part 2 at 4 p.m., and part 3 at 8 p.m.

The role of Norman is being played by Abram Rankin from Winfield. Other cast members include, Sarah Frazier and Kyler Chase, Derby; Elizabeth Higbee, Tonganoxie; Kevin Mnich, Bartlesville, Okla; and Samantha Mitchell, Montrose, Colo. The six-player cast has been in rehearsal since the second week of school. 

“Having a role in ‘Norman Conquests’ is like if there were three pro wrestling rings going on at once, and as soon as you get tagged out of one you get tagged into another,” said Rankin.

The plot of “The Norman Conquests” centers around a single weekend six individuals spend together, and the various relationships that evolve during their stay. Norman, the title character, just wants to feel the tender love and affection of a woman, or three. Each play takes place in different rooms, and the garden of a country house. With each new space, new perspectives of action are discovered by the audience.

According to Higbee, the actors are finding it challenging to rehearse three shows in the time frame they normally get for one. Every day from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. the six individuals rehearse before returning to the roles as students.

 “The time frame makes you want to work harder and push to find the true meaning of the show and how your character factors in.  It can also be stressful because you know what your time limit is and what you need to accomplish in that time so it makes you work harder,” Higbee says.

 The stage manager for the show is Brooke Rowzee, Maize. She is getting a triple dose of the workload since she has to account for aspects for all three shows. She works at the side of the director helping organize all aspects of the show. 

“I love stage managing a show, but to stage manage three shows at once is a dream come true,” said Rowzee. “I have to be more on my game keeping track of set pieces and props we need to advance in each show. This is going to be the biggest and the heaviest prompt book ever.”

The cast and crew will be getting to spend a lot of time together as the rehearsal process continues. 

“I feel like there is a bond growing between us all.  We need to have that bond to be able to accomplish what we are attempting to do,” Higbee says.   

For more information or ticket information, call (620) 229-6272.