Aurora U. presents 'The Habitation of Dragons'

Aurora University's theater department will stage "The Habitation of Dragons," a play by the late Horton Foote, at 7:30 p.m. March 27-28 and April 1-4 in Perry Theatre in the Aurora Foundation Center at 1305 Kenilworth Place in Aurora.

The public is invited. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Call (630) 844-4924 or e-mail artsandideas@aurora.edu.

The Wednesday, April 1, performance will feature a preshow discussion with the cast and crew at 7 p.m.

The guest director is Kurt Naebig, a professional actor and Lombard resident. Naebig plays FBI Agent William A. Rorer in "Public Enemies," a film starring Johnny Depp scheduled for release July 1.

In "Dragons," playwright Foote focuses his play's plot on the relationship between brothers - one who has, one who has not - but who both want. The setting is Foote's signature world of rural, depression-era Texas.

Foote, who portrayed the broken dreams of common people in "The Trip to Bountiful," "Tender Mercies" and his Oscar-winning screen adaptation of "To Kill a Mockingbird," died March 4 in Connecticut. He was 92.

In lieu of admission charges, the theater department will collect nonperishable food items for Holy Angels Church Food Pantry in Aurora. Cash donations for Season of Concern, the Chicago area theater community's fundraising effort in the fight against AIDS, will also be accepted.

Cast members are: Ian Klink, Reegan McCue, Aaron Reynolds and Jackson Schultz, all of Aurora; Robyn Byrd of Batavia; Demonte Dandridge of Bolingbrook; JaCarla Mitchell of Chicago; Jeff Schilling of Crete; Ashley La Voy of Des Plaines; Kevin Tumleson of Dixon; Travis Winkler of Montgomery; John Curran Jr. and Ian DeFelice-Curran, both of St. Charles; and Jeff Goins and Bridget O'Malley, both of Yorkville.

Production staff members are: Justin Bills, sound design, Aurora; Emma Sander, assistant stage manager, Barrington; Tamara Rodgers, stage manager, Des Plaines; Kurt Naebig, director, Lombard; and St. Charles residents Tavia DeFelice, scenic and prop design, and Lynn Provost, costume design.

For reservations or more information, call (630) 844-4924 or e-mail artsandideas@aurora.edu.