“Permanent Collection,” by Thomas Gibbons, is the second production in the Department of Theatre & Dance’s 2019-2020 season. The production will run in the University Theatre November 7-10, Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

“Permanent Collection” was first produced by the InterAct Theater Company in Philadelphia in 2003. It is the  story of the Morris Foundation, a privately owned and endowed art collection that is one of the most impressive in the world on the campus of a small liberal arts college. The founder of the collection, the now deceased Alfred Morris, had a host of eccentricities about who could see the collection and when, but over time many of these have dissipated. However, the arrangement of the collection, as it was decided upon by Mr. Morris himself, has not been changed, and in fact, remained the same for more than 50 years. When a new director takes over the foundation, he attempts to take it in a new direction, challenging the legacy of the Foundation. What follows is an argument over the value of art and its relationship to culture, history versus progress, and ultimately the role that race plays in the whole conversation. The play is loosely based on the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia and much of the controversy that has surrounded it throughout the years.

The production is directed by Caitlin Grammer, a senior theatre major from Bridge City. It features Austin Jones (SR, Houston), Temesha Ramsey (SR, Beaumont), Josh Pendino (JR, Lumberton), Dustin Smith (SO, West Hardin), Brianna Butler (JR, Baytown, TX) and Taylor Bell (SO, Colmesneil, TX).

There will be a talkback following the performance on Thursday, November 7, featuring the director, members of the cast and Stephanie Chadwick, assistant professor of art at Lamar University.

Tickets range in price from $7-$15 and are available through lamar.edu/lutdtix or by calling 409-880-2250.