The NAU Theatre season will open with “On New Beginnings,” a play written and directed by Dr. Mac Groves, professor of theatre. The play will be staged Oct. 11 – Oct. 20 at the Studio Theatre.

The story takes place in modern day Oklahoma and follows six women who belong to the New Beginnings Baptist Church Literary Guild and Book Study. They each have their own personality defects that seem insurmountable if not addressed collectively. They address their problems by sticking together and helping one another, with a refreshing degree of openness and honesty.

Groves wrote this play, his first, while on sabbatical in Oklahoma in 2011 in his childhood town.

“These are women that I’ve known my entire life,” he said. “In this area, they are the most wonderful people in the world, or the most worthless people in the world.”

NAU Theatre students will star in the production. Billie Lorrance will be played by Jenna Worden, Deborah Fennal by Alexandra Rigby, Sandra Johnson by Charity Ormand, Edna "Tootsie" Mosley by Katie Gardea,

Dorothy "Dot" Tillman by Chelsea Hightower, and Michele Cotton by Caitlin Shepherd.

The production is directed by Dr. Mac Groves; assistant director is Jackson Ramler, theatre student; lighting by Ben Alexander, theatre faculty; assistant lighting by Kevin Morrow, theate major; sound by Marissa Molloy, theatre student; costumes designed by Jennifer Peterson, theatre faculty; set and prop design by Patrick Battles, theatre faculty; lighting and sound design by Ben Alexander, theatre faculty; technical direction by Ben Grohs, theatre faculty; stage manager is Gabby Higuera, theatre student and assistant stage managers are Brenna Clendaniel and Scott Gillepsie, theatre students.

The performances will be Oct. 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 13 and 20 at 2 p.m. in the Studio Theatre.