A baton twirler, a fundamentalist snake-handler and an ex-rodeo rider are among the characters who will take the stage in the UNCG Theatre production of “Talking With” in Brown Building Theatre April 15-24.

This Jane Martin play contains adult language and consists of eleven monologues by women whose enthusiasms become obsessions. Each of these extraordinary women is seeking to come to terms with a crisis in her life.

“Talking With” won the American Theatre Critics Association Award for Best Regional Play in 1982. The Philadelphia Inquirer said, “With Jane Martin, the monologue has taken on a new poetic form, intensive in its method and revelatory in its impact.”

Three first-year MFA students – Bill Raulerson, Tony Gaudio and Peter Duffy – direct under the guidance of faculty member John Gulley. Gulley described the monologues as “hilarious, moving, and provocative.”

“It’s been a real joy to work with these talented young directors on this wonderful material,” Gulley said. “But it’s also been fun to see how these eleven gifted actresses have challenged these three directors to work at the top of their game.

“I think this production will give the public a sense of the depth of our acting program. The cast includes a freshman, a graduate student and all the classes in between.”

The cast members are Amy da Luz, Emily Covington, Ariel Burke, Sharisse Mayfield, Lydia Hyslop, Lauren Meeks, Cara Reid, Lori Ingle, Isabelle Gardo, Kathy Jehle and Libby Maddocks. B A Kirby designed the costumes. Seth Starr and Ben King designed the lighting.

Performances are at 8 p.m. on April 15, 16, 22 and 23; 2 p.m. on April 17 and 24; and 7 p.m. on April 19, 20, and 21. The April 21 performance will be sign interpreted for the hearing impaired.

Call (336) 334-4849 (4TIX) for tickets or visit the Department of Theatre's webpage for more information. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and non-UNCG students, and $5 for UNCG students.