The Augustana University Theatre Department presents the world premier of Straw Boy by Mikennah Oleson '26. Straw Boy, presented on Oct. 22-25, is a reimagining of Pinocchio and aims to spin an almost-fairy tale — filled with music and magic, as well as questions of what it means to be real and good.
The tale of Staw Boy is set in Appalachia, where a wooden creature in the shape of a little boy has been sighted — moving and speaking on its own. Otto Carver, a coal miner and World War II veteran, sets out to bring in this creature. Carver is unaware the creature is the puppet he put together the night before he left — brought to life by the witch of the woods. Carver and the puppet are joined by a collection of characters, including a plucky orphan girl, trickster pair and jug band chorus.
Directed by Dr. Jayna Gearheart-Fitzsimmons, the cast of Straw Boy includes:
- Aden Alvine ’27, of Sioux Falls
- Ava Bunkers ‘30, of Chester, South Dakota
- Veilia Christiansen ‘29, of Sioux Falls
- Hudson Connelly ‘28, of Sioux Falls
- Danika Deuter ‘29, of Dell Rapids, South Dakota
- Izzy Hagen ‘29, of Brandon, South Dakota
- Kat Jefferis ‘30, of Sioux Falls
- Katelyn Kivela ‘26, of Spencer, Iowa
- Mya Lynk ‘28, of Dassel, Minnesota
- Preston Spaans ‘29, of Sioux Falls
- Lanie Stulken ’29, of Pierre, South Dakota
- Patrick Valentine ‘27, of Pierre, South Dakota
- Satchel Workman ‘28, of Sioux Falls
- Henry Thronson’28, of Pierre, South Dakota
Performances for Straw Boy take place in the Edith Mortenson Center Theatre at Augustana University on Thursday, Oct. 22 - Saturday, Oct. 24, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 25, at 2:30 p.m. The Oct. 22 performance will be interpreted for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for seniors and military members, and $5 for non-Augustana students. Admission is free for K-12 students and anyone with a valid Augustana ID. To purchase tickets, visit augie.edu/tickets.