KU Theatre to stage 'Hookman,' a darkly comedic salute to teenage slasher films

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Department of Theatre & Dance will present its next performance, "Hookman," by Lauren Yee, from Nov. 1 to Nov. 7 in the William Inge Memorial Theatre at Murphy Hall.

“Hookman” weaves a scary and truthful tale about navigating friendship, loss and unresolved trauma through the style of teenage slasher films. Elements of these films, such as “Scream,” “Final Destination” or “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” are scattered throughout this coming-of-age narrative. The play asks audiences to enjoy these horror movie elements while simultaneously questioning the tropes and stylistic choices held within them.

The Hookman myth emerged in the 1950s as a cautionary tale surrounding teenage sexuality. This version, however, shifts to a contemporary narrative and turns the myth on its head to highlight the traumas of loss and grief and the struggles of college freshmen as Lexi navigates the sudden loss of her best friend Jess over Thanksgiving break. Struggling to come to terms with this, Lexi starts to feel like someone sinister is following her — could it be the legendary Hookman that her mom warned her about? 

“What drew me first to this play is how darkly funny it is and how you can catch new details about the story every single time that you read or watch it,” said Tiffani Brooks Hagan, a KU doctoral student who is directing the film. “Above all, this play asks you to question who, or what, are the ‘real’ villains in the story.”

A podcast series offers patrons a more well-rounded understanding of this play and its themes without giving away spoilers. It is available as part of the Dramaturgy at KU Theatre & Dance playlist on YouTube.

Tickets are available to purchase noon-5 p.m. weekdays at the box office in Murphy Hall and online at the “Hookman” web page. Tickets are also available by calling 785-864-3982.

The creative team is rounded out by Olivia Laycock, student in theatre design from Wichita, as costume designer; Bella Black, junior in mathematics from Kansas City, as scenic designer; Sean Ingram, sophomore in theatre design from Shawnee, as lighting designer; Kayana Harman, junior in theatre performance from Wichita, as sound designer; Callee Harris, senior in psychology and social work from Hutchinson, as makeup designer; Gillian Genardo, doctoral student in theatre and performance studies from Mokena, Illinois, as dramaturg; and Jordan Cabuay, sophomore in computer science from Olathe, as stage manager.

The cast is composed of Olly Mitchell, senior in theatre in culture & society, as Lexi; Sara Schumacher, student in molecular, cellular & developmental biology from Overland Park, as Jess; Magnolia Foster, sophomore in English from Hutchinson, as Kayleigh; Carolyn Brotherson, junior in English from Olathe, as Chloe; Logan Fixsen, first-year student in film & media studies from Olathe, as Hookman; and Zoe Arp, student in political science, as Yoonji. Frannie Cihunka, senior in voice and theatre from Omaha, Nebraska, is serving as the understudy and assistant director.

Hagan is a doctoral student in theatre and performance studies from Inman, South Carolina. She previously served with the University Theatre as dramaturg/intimacy choreographer for “Collective Rage: A Play in Five Betties” and assistant director/intimacy choreographer for “Cabaret.” She holds a bachelor's degree in musical theatre and history from Converse University and a master's degree in theatre studies from the University of South Carolina, where she directed "Metamorphoses," was assistant director and dramaturg of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” and dramaturg for “Eurydice” and “You on the Moors Now.” She has also directed productions of “Tick, Tick… Boom!” and “Gruesome Playground Injuries” at Washburn University.