Area residents are in for a treat this summer as Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) Theatre brings the iconic play Driving Miss Daisy to the college stage. Additionally, acclaimed professional actress Sandra Ellis Lafferty will be starring in the role of Miss Daisy Werthan. Ms. Lafferty, throughout her distinguished career, has been in some fifty productions and is well known for her roles in such movies as The Hunger Games, Walk the Line, and Footloose. Ms. Lafferty resides in Fort Payne when not filming or performing movies or plays. In addition to her drama and theatre degrees, she also has an associate degree from NACC.
Ms. Lafferty will be accompanied on the Northeast stage by two veteran stars of NACC Theatre. Clint LeRoy plays Boolie Werthan. Mr. LeRoy, who holds a Bachelor’s of Theatre from Jacksonville State University (JSU), has at Northeast performed in The Foreigner, and It’s a Wonderful Life as well as plays at JSU and appearances in Nashville music videos. Mr. Matthew Brewer has the role of Hoke Colburn. Mr. Brewer will be appearing in his 12th play. Among the roles in which Mr. Brewer has performed are the Narrator in Into the Woods, U. S. in Second Samuel, and ensemble roles in Les Miserables. He attended NACC, Athens State University, and the University of South Alabama, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Drama/History.
“We are honored to have such an outstanding cast for this production,” stated NACC President Dr. David Campbell. “In particular to my knowledge this is the first time we have had a member of the Actors’ Equity Association perform in one of our productions. Ms. Lafferty is a nationally and internationally known actress.”
Campbell also noted that this is the last play that current Theatre Director Mark Webb will direct at Northeast before his retirement. “Mr. Webb has had such an outstanding career here at Northeast,” Campbell noted. “He has brought our theatre to new highs and is so talented. It is in many ways appropriate that he will end his career here with such a landmark play as Driving Miss Daisy. That this is his last play adds even another element to this production.” Campbell added that he has appointed Ms. Kayleigh Smith as the new Director on NACC Theatre. “She is very talented and a highly trained veteran of NACC Theatre as well as many other theatres elsewhere,” Campbell said.
Driving Miss Daisy will be performed at Northeast July 19-21 and July 26-28. The 21st and 28th dates are matinees beginning at 2:00 p.m. The evening performances begin at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for the play went on sale to patrons of the college’s theatre on June 14 and tickets will be sold to the general public beginning June 28. There are no refunds or exchanges on tickets once purchased. All tickets are reserved.
Northeast Alabama Community College financially supports and manages NACC Theatre and was created to provide artistic and cultural programs and events to residents of the college’s service area. Contributions from patrons are appreciated and welcomed. The Theatre was begun in 1984 under the direction of Mrs. Ann Everett. Mr. Webb became Director of NACC theatre in 2001. The NACC Tom Bevill Lyceum, which houses the Theatre, was opened in 1994; Dr. Charles M. Pendley was serving as NACC president at that time. “We have had such outstanding leadership in NACC Theatre in the years of its existence,” Campbell added. “Many through the years have contributed to what many consider the most outstanding theatre program in the region. Mr. Webb’s contributions have been enormous.”
To order tickets online, visit our website: www.nacc.edu/theatre. To order tickets on the phone call 256-638-4418, ext. 2218. To order tickets through mail: Email [email protected]
GENERAL PUBLIC TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE.
Driving Miss Daisy is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York. The production uses the Artist Engagement Services of the University Resident Theatre Association. Ms. Lafferty appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
For more information about NACC visit our web page at www.nacc.edu or download our free app from the Apple Store or Google Play Store. Follow NACC and NACC Theatre on social media.
