Student-authored play to be presented

Jacob Christiansen, left, is the author of "Visiting," which will be presented during Northwestern's World Premiere Festival March 20-21.

“Visiting,” a play by Northwestern College junior Jacob Christiansen, Omaha, has been selected by acclaimed playwright Jeffrey Sweet for performance during the college’s 20th annual World Premiere Festival, which showcases student-authored scripts.

The full-length play will be performed in the Allen Black Box Theatre March 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. The show is free; seating is first-come, first-served.

“Visiting” is a family drama in which a sister and brother try to unravel and understand their disparate upbringings in the same home with adoptive parents they called Uncle and Auntie. The play explores the ways in which family can nurture or neglect, protect or provoke. During the action, Christiansen’s characters move in and out of the scene to engage directly with the audience.

In choosing “Visiting,” Sweet said he was very impressed by Christiansen’s technique as well as that of Northwestern student playwrights in general. “I was judging another contest from alleged professionals,” he wrote, “and [NWC] students compare very favorably.” Sweet has written numerous plays and scripts that have been produced around the U.S. and is a voter in the Tony Awards.

Sophomore Amanda Hays, Chicago, and freshman Warren Duncan, Urbandale, Iowa, play siblings Micah and James. Hana Spangler, a junior from Overland Park, Kan., is Auntie, and junior Kyle Ten Hulzen, Firth, Neb., has the role of Micah’s boyfriend, Pit.

Earlier this year another play by Christiansen, “Choices,” received first-place honors in the 10-Minute Play competition at the regional Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.