The Monmouth College Department
of Theatre will open its 90th
season with a production of Nina
Raine’s Tribes, which
explores deaf culture. Directed
by Johnny Williams III, a junior
from Kewanee, the show will be
staged Oct. 1-4 at the Fusion
Theatre in downtown Monmouth.
Performances are scheduled for
7:30 p.m. on Oct. 1-3 and 2 p.m.
on Oct. 4. Tickets for Tribes
are $7 for adults, $6 for
students and seniors, and $5 for
students, faculty and staff with
a Monmouth College ID. They are
available at the door or can be
purchased in advance by visiting
the Wells Theater Box Office on
the Monmouth campus on Mondays
and Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m.
Tickets are also available
during those hours by phone at
309-457-3095, or can be
purchased online at www.monm.edu/box-office.
Tribes is about a deaf
man named Billy who is born into
a hearing family. His life
changes when he meets Sylvia,
who introduces him to the deaf
community. “In our society we
build and create tribes, whether
the tribes are in our families
or based on our ideologies,”
said Williams. “There is
strength and support by
identifying within a tribe.
However, the outsiders lack the
ability to provide support
necessary to grow. When I first
saw this show, I connected to a
variety of the characters. I was
personally connected to the
character Daniel because the
relationship that Billy and
Daniel share reminds me of my
relationship with my brother. I
am dedicating this production to
my brother, because of his
strength and dedication to
himself, even when support was
absent.” The show contains
mature language and adult
situations and is not
recommended for anyone under the
age of 13.
