Dead Man's Cell Phone by *Sarah Ruhl* directed by *Rachael Swartz* Nov. 5-7, 12-14 at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. Studio Theatre *Pre-Show Talk:* Nov. 13 at 6:45 p.m. *Ashland University Box Office* 419-289-5125 (Noon-6 p.m., Monday-Friday) Online at www.ashland.edu/tickets <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?AshlandUniversityMus/3f45e5363b/1af00b4fad/9602b2ba93/t=tix&e=81e1ba4545b053753cf19bacc4ede24f> (additional fees apply) *Single Tickets <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?AshlandUniversityMus/3f45e5363b/1af00b4fad/25ddb1e44a/t=tix&e=81e1ba4545b053753cf19bacc4ede24f>:*$12 Adults $10 Senior Citizens, AU Alumni & Faculty/Staff $8 Groups of 10 or more* $5 Non-AU Students* $2 Ashland University Students w/ ID* *For REDUCED TICKETS - AU STUDENT ($2), CHILDREN ($5) and GROUP of 10 or more ($8) - Call Box Office, 419.289.5125. *ASHLAND.EDU/THEATRE <http://www.ashland.edu/theatre>* Ashland University Department of Theatre continues its 2015-2016 season with Sarah Ruhl's wildly imaginative comedy *Dead Man's Cell Phone*. Directed by guest artist Rachael Swartz, performances will be held in the intimate Studio Theatre on November 5-7 and 12-14 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, November 8 at 2 p.m. Audiences are advised that the show contains adult language. As in Ruhl's other works, the MacArthur "Genius" Grant recipient and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist often addresses themes of death and memory. This play is about how we memorialize the dead and our need to connect in today's technologically obsessed world. In particular, when technology and death intersect, we find ourselves grieving for strangers. The play opens as Jean, played by senior theatre major Natalyn Baisden (Wooster, Ohio) has had enough of an incessantly ringing cell phone at the cafe table next to her. As she intervenes, she realizes that the cell phone's owner, Gordon who is played by freshman theatre major Waylon H. O'Donnell (West Sunbury, Pennsylvania), is dead. Comedy, a love story, and horror ensue as Jean becomes entangled with Gordon's quirky, arrogant, entitled, eccentric family including his mother played by freshman education major Emma Dumford of Westerville, his widow (freshman criminal justice major Kaylee Lhotsky of Brunswick), and his brother (freshman history major Tyler MacQueen of Loudonville). In addition, Jean must confront the other woman and a stranger who are played by freshman theatre and journalism/digital media major Ingrid Schmidt (Mansfield). The show's guest director, Rachael Swartz, is an actress, director and educator from Wooster, Ohio. She received her MFA in Performance from The University of Southern Mississippi and her BA in Theatre from Baldwin Wallace University. She has directed youth programs at The Clinton Area Showboat Theatre and The Lost Colony, and toured the U.S. and Canada as a teaching artist with Missoula Children’s Theatre. She currently serves as the Education Director for Maples Repertory Theatre. Her previous performances include Mother Abbess in *The Sound of Music, *Betsy/Lindsey in *Clybourne Park,* Sara Jane Moore in *Assassins, *Mrs. Candour in *The School for Scandal, *and Artemis in *Eleemosynary.* Rachael is a proud Equity Membership Candidate and member of the Voice and Speech Trainers Association, The Lessac Institute, and Dueling Arts International. The set and sound designs for the Ashland University production of *Dead Man's Cell Phone *are created by technical director J. Michael Desper, while costumes are designed by resident costume designer Sarah Russell; and lighting design by Patty Lanious. Junior Eryn Reynolds Tramel (Medina) serves as the choreographer with sophomore Ceyanna Stasick (Sullivan) and freshman Olivia Kimball as the show's stage manager and assistant stage manager, respectively.