Theatre Wesleyan will present the world premiere of Letters From The Library, a new play by graduating senior theatre major Mercedes Kuhn, from February 19-23, 2025. The play will be directed by Texas Wesleyan University theatre alumna Cheryl Penland ‘88. An open to the public post-show reception in the playwright’s honor will be held following the Saturday evening performance on February 22.

Performances will be held at the Thad Smotherman Theatre at Texas Wesleyan University (1205 Binkley Street, 76105). Tickets are now available at txwes.edu/theatretickets.

The plot for Letters From The Library is as follows: In rural Kentucky, at the height of the Great Depression, Harriet’s husband falls ill and loses his job, leaving them with very few options. In order to keep their spirits up, Harriet takes advantage of the Packhorse Library Project and meets Leslie, a traveling librarian who brightens up Harriet’s darkening world. This production is recommended for mature audiences and contains mild adult themes.

The cast, design team, and crew include Texas Wesleyan theatre majors and minors pursuing Bachelor or Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees. The cast includes Trinity Chenault as Harriet, a homestead wife who is not content with her marriage; Trent Cole as Warren, Harriet’s stubborn husband who is a coal miner; and Bianca Zamorano as Leslie, a packhorse librarian.

The production team includes Cheryl Penland (director), Rocky Olguin (stage manager), Sam Perez (assistant stage manager), Jennye James (production manager), Colin Schwartz (technical director), Pella LeFever (scenic design), Trinity Chenault (costume design), Jazmin Rebollar (assistant costume design), Chad Rojas (lighting design), Elizabeth Holmes (sound design), Nathalie Beyna (props design), Ricky Olivarez (graphic design) and Connie Whitt-Lambert (playwriting mentor).

ABOUT GUEST DIRECTOR CHERYL PENLAND

After graduating from Texas Wesleyan University in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre and Speech, Cheryl Penland taught for five years at a private school for the performing arts. During her time as the theatre arts director at Trimble Tech High School in Fort Worth, she was named Outstanding Teacher of the Year three times.

While working as an actress, Penland built credits in live theatre, TV, film, and voice-overs and has directed more than 200 productions across her career. Her former students are now making a huge mark on the theatre/film/TV communities across this country and in India as actors, stage managers, designers, choreographers, singers and technicians.

She was the recipient of the Live Theatre League of Tarrant County’s Theatre Arts Educator of the Year Award in 2007-2008 and Drama Teacher of the Year by The Texas Film Institute in 2009.  She was named the 2016-2017 Broadway at the Bass Teaching Chair of Excellence in Theatre and Dance and in 2017 was honored to be a finalist for the Tony Award for Excellence in Education.

ABOUT PLAYWRIGHT MERCEDES KUHN

Mercedes Kuhn is a graduating senior theatre major pursuing a BA in Theatre at Texas Wesleyan University. The development and production of Letters from the Library will serve as Mercedes' senior project.

Kuhn’s Theatre Wesleyan credits include The Death of Seneca (Dramatis Personae), Intimate Apparel (assistant projections design), Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Ensemble), and most recently The Ives Archives (stage manager). Performance credits at TCC Theatre Northwest include The Cat in the Hat (Sally), Zombie Prom (Candy), Slasher (Christie Garcia/Others), and her original play The Friends We Made Along The Way, which she also directed and choreographed. Follow Mercedes on Instagram @worksofmercedeskuhn

PERFORMANCE DATES

• Wednesday, February 19 at 7:30 pm
• Thursday, February 20 at 7:30 pm
• Friday, February 21 at 7:30 pm
• Saturday, February 22 at 2:00 pm Matinee
• Saturday, February 22 at 7:30 pm & Post-Show Reception
• Sunday, February 23 at 2:00 pm Matinee

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

The show runtime is approximately 80 minutes without an intermission. Tickets are priced at $10.00 for general admission seating and can now be purchased online at txwes.edu/theatretickets or by calling (817) 531-4211. Tickets will also be available at the door in-person beginning one hour before each performance.

All plans and information are subject to change. Please refer to Theatre Wesleyan on Facebook (facebook.com/theatrewesleyan) or Instagram (@theatrewesleyan) for the most up-to-date details.

If you have questions, please contact the Theatre Wesleyan office at (817) 531-5867.