Jeff Wisor is setting aside his paint brush for a while. The Lamar University Theatre technical director and set designer is moving out from behind the scenes, making his Lamar directorial debut with the department’s production of Black Sheep. Wisor will create theatrical moments using actors, rather than his usual paints, platforms, ramps and doors. This dark comedy, by Lee Blessing, will run nightly at 8 p.m., April 17, 18, 19, 21 and 22 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday April 20.
“As a designer, he usually places himself behind the scenes and quietly works at creating a world for the action of the story to grow in,” said Adonia Placette, director of Lamar Theatre Department.
The son of an interracial marriage, the ‘black sheep,’ returns home from prison to stay with the wealthy, white side of his family. Touted as wildly comic and disturbing, the play deals with issues of race, class, sex, family values and moral options seemingly enjoyed by those more entitled.
After some research and discussion with the playwright, Wisor decided to invest in the tone of the play and “offer the hallucinogenic dose of comedy.”
The play hints at surreal, but Wisor wants to make the play accessible to his audience.
“He is laying it all on the line and this is a tough show to direct. I can't wait to see his work,” said Placette.
Black Sheep may represent Wisor’s directorial debut at Lamar after 13 years of teaching there, but he has been working in theatre for thirty years, often directing, designing and even acting.
“Technical direction is a more mechanical approach to directing, but it is, in a sense, still directing,” said Wisor.
Wisor has served as technical director for the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival and other theaters. He is a graduate of Southwest Texas State University where he received a Master of Arts degree in Design and Technical Theatre. He earned an Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology and a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Kent State University.
The cast of Black Sheep includes three veteran theatre students from Orangfield, Kyle Romero, Nathan Foster and Jackie Gower and veteran actor Joanna Clark of Silsbee. Thaddeus Green of Orange is making his season debut and Lamar Theatre Costumer Kelly Draper is also taking the set design for Black Sheep.
For more information call the Lamar University Theatre box office at 880-2250.
