Professor, Student and Alumni Come Together to Work on Death Penalty Drama

Faculty, students, and alumni of Loyola are all involved in the world-premiere of a play at Southern Repertory Theatre. "Song of a Man Coming Through" is the true-story of Earnest Knighton, Jr., who was executed in 1984 by the state of Louisiana in the electric chair. The play is written by Bishop Joe Doss of the Episcopal church and his son Andrew. Bishop Doss, a long-time activist against the death penalty on both biblical and legal grounds,  was not only a parish priest in 1984, but a lawyer who served on Mr. Knighton's team of appeals lawyers. The story is an excellent social justice look at the death penalty and the failures of the system for poor and minority defendants. The play is directed by Southern Rep's artistic director, Loyola alum Aimeé Hayes. Loyola Associate Professor of Theatre Laura Hope served as the production's play-development dramaturg, helping the playwrights to craft the script for this production. Loyola class of 2016 theatre student Shelby Kirby is the play's assistant director. Loyola alum Ian Hoch appears in the play as former Louisiana governor Edwin Edwards. The following Loyola theatre alums are also part of the regular production staff at Southern Rep and worked on this production: Logan Faust (TAD 2015) is the company's Assistant Stage Manager, Charlotte Voekel (TAD 2015) is the Box Office Manager, Laura Friedmann (TAD 2012) is the Education Director, and Joshua Smith (TAD 2012) is the Volunteer Coordinator and Box Office Associate). The play opened to a sold-out crowd and is proving to be a thought-provoking and emotional experience for audiences. It performs Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 6:00 through November 21 at First Grace United Methodist Church 3401 Canal Street, New Orleans. Pay-what-you-can performance on November 12. Student rush tickets available for $10 at the door a half-hour before curtain. Website is www.southernrep.com