Eleven actors, all Ashford University students, will portray 19 different roles in nine different stories in the university’s fall play, “Almost, Maine” to be presented Friday and Saturday, Nov. 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Mullany Theater. 

“On a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter, all is not quite what it seems in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine,” says the publisher’s synopsis of the play.  “As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, Almost's residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend – almost – in this delightful midwinter night's dream.”  “Almost, Maine,” written by John Cariani, premiered in 2004.

Emily Eisenman returns to direct her third show on the Ashford stage, following last year’s productions of “The Mousetrap” and “Flora the Red Menace.” She holds a BA in

communication and theatre education from the University of Northern Iowa. In addition to directing at Ashford, Eisenman currently works as a substitute teacher and speech coach in the Northeast and Clinton school districts, and is also involved with the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre. 

The play’s cast includes Lindsay Aiello, Sterling, IL; Samantha Cameron, Sterling, IL; Chase Cartwright, La Moille, IL; Ben Headlee, Elizabeth, IL; Matt Jacobsen, Goose Lake, IA; Scott Madsen, Charlotte, IA; Megan Morthland, Thomson, IL; Autumn Reicherts, Golden Valley, MN; James Shamp, Mount Carroll, IL; AJ Smith, East Moline, IL and Karla Zapata, Rockford, IL. 

Ashford alumnus Eddie Keiller and senior Myk Meador of Lenexa, KS, head the technical crew, which also includes Sarah Bauer, Sterling, IL; Mia Bourek, Farley, IA; Kierra Canier, Stockton, IL; Kasi Stopher, Sabula, IA; Trang Trinh, Des Moines, IA and Jacquelynn Vesely, Hanover, IL. 

The public is invited to the performance. Tickets are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students and seniors. 

About Ashford University

Founded in 1918, Ashford University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org). The University offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs online and at its Clinton, Iowa, campus. The University is known for its high quality yet highly affordable online and on-campus programs. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.