Jaclyn Nischbach Cast in University of Kansas production

2013 Oct 18

Naomi Wallace's "And I and Silence" will be performed in the William Inge Memorial Theatre Oct. 25-26 and 29-30 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 27 at 2:30 p.m. at the University of Kansas.

The cast includes Jaclyn Nischbach, Wildwood, Mo. Nischbach is a sophomore studying theatre and voice. She is the daughter of Mark and Joyce Nischbach and attended Eureka High School. She will play the role of Young Dee.

Naomi Wallace, Horton Foote Prize-winning playwright, was inspired by Emily Dickinson's poetry to write this emotionally charged piece that explores the friendship between two young women and their struggle to rise above poverty, racial inequity and class. The characters, Jamie and Dee, become friends while serving time in prison as teenagers. The action swings back and forth between their time in prison and nine years later, where we view the women's lives on the outside.

For director Lynn Deboeck, a doctoral candidate and graduate teaching assistant for the theatre department, "And I and Silence" is an examination of female friendship and unspoken love in a harsh world. Deboeck said when she first encountered the script in 2011 she was enraptured by Wallace's ability to use humor and grace as the two women attempt to transcend their surroundings. As director, Deboeck said she works with her actors to delve into the depth of the script.

"I wanted this show to be an entirely collaborative effort." Deboeck said. "In our movement-based rehearsals we worked together to insure each pair of actresses portraying the central characters had similar features in their movement and acting work. It was challenging, but such an honor to see how an ensemble can work together to engage in moving storytelling."