In her last semester before graduation, acting major Samantha Cains is back in a familiar role.
"I have played a mom [role] a million times," Cains said. "I don't find it insulting. I'm a motherly person, and I have a nurturing side. My friends call me ‘Mother Hen.' Everything falls back on the mother. They are far richer characters."
Although she has played the role many times, Cains still finds challenges in playing a mother. Cains said she draws from those around her when approaching a role she hasn't experienced yet in life.
"What is at the core of true moms is unconditional, unending, unwavering love," Cains said. "My mom teaches me that everyday of my life, so she was my primary point of focus for research. I also have a couple close friends who are moms, and I've watched them, some just starting out, others who've been at it for decades, and the love is universal."
This weekend, as "Picnic" takes the stage at University Theatre, Cains will be telling the story of Flo Owens, a widowed mother trying to raise her daughters alone in the 1950s.
"Picnic" is a coming of age story by William Inge. It follows Flo, who has planned everything for her daughters. Madge, the eldest daughter, is engaged to a rich fellow while Millie, the youngest daughter, is getting set to attend college on a scholarship. Their plans begin to fall apart when Hal arrives next door for work and desires the attention of both women.
Cains said Picnic is a story about life's lessons. She said that the play has "a story of every type of lesson" and that there "is a lesson for everyone."
The show will be performed under the direction of Michael O'Hara, who has directed productions at Ball State for 14 years. He said the "simple joy of creating, the collaboration of theatre and the joy [he] has" are what keeps him coming back to the stage.
"Whether I am performing or watching a great show, I love being in the room," O'Hara said.
According to O'Hara, the production committee chose "Picnic" as part of an effort to expand range of styles and periods represented in performances. They also chose it because the theatre has not performed an American Realism piece in six years.
"There is a sweetness to the play," O'Hara said. "No one gets anything they want, but there is still a happy ending."
While preparing for opening night, O'Hara enjoyed watching the actors discover something about their roles that is real.
"I have been directing for a long time," O'Hara said. "And I have never had such a well-prepared and engaged cast. They have been fearless about exploring the play and their roles."
Cains said she too has enjoyed the cast and crew of "Picnic." She said that she has had so much fun at rehearsal, and at times it seems like too much fun.
Cains said she hopes the audience feels something uncommon in their daily life while watching Picnic.
"The play is beautiful and written so well that you just go along for the ride and bring this universally relate-able story to life," Cains said. "I can't wait for an audience to see this play."
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