Posted on Friday, February 13, 2026
An artist isolated. A man and woman who fear facing life and death alone. LC Theatre Arts’ “Lost Souls of Tennessee Williams,” premiering next week in the Black Box at Price Theater, will introduce the audience to these characters and those in their spaces, who are all trying to find their place with one another.
“The two plays, ‘The One Exception’ and ‘I Can’t Imagine Tomorrow’ deal with characters moving through varying circumstances of mental and physical decline and how these circumstances affect their relationships,” says Ellie Boykin, Theatre Lecturer and director of the plays. “Williams said that these characters are all ‘enduring the unendurable,’ and this is evident in these shows.”
The opening of the production begins in a New York City apartment occupied by artist Kyra, performed by sophomore Emily Reeves; Kyra’s old friend Viola, performed by freshman Gwendolyn Cabanisss; and Kyra’s nurse, May, performed by senior Aubrey Helton.
“Kyra’s apartment is beginning to fall apart because she’s not creating art anymore because of her mental state,” Boykin says. “We brought in guest artist, LC alumna Emily Stewart ’18, who is creating the artwork that Kyra made. In collaboration with the artist and actors, it was decided that the audience will notice a mental decline in Kyra’s artwork that is seen on the stage.”
Reeves described Kyra as someone who would rather hide from others and the world than be a part of it.
“She wants to appear as small and invisible as possible,” Reeves says. “She doesn’t want to leave the house and has some anxiety about her caretaker, May, leaving her.”
In contrast to Kyra is her friend Viola, who enjoys her social life and making bold statements in her artwork and fashion, according to Cabaniss.
“Everything she does is with purpose,” she says. “Viola has returned to her old friend’s apartment motivated by this.”
On the nurturing side of the spectrum is May, who does whatever she can for Kyra, according to Helton.
“She provides a sense of protection for Kyra,” she says.
The second play, “I Can’t Imagine Tomorrow,” features two characters Williams names One (Jeanne Haggerty ’28) and Two (Solomon Morgan ’28).
One struggles with a chronic illness, Haggerty notes.
“She’s very independent and stubborn,” she says. “She knows Two is there trying to support her, but she wants to do things herself.”
Morgan, who longs to stay with his beloved friend, says there are times when his character, Two feels a degree of separation from One as if they are on different continents.
“They are definitely far apart but also, at times, very close together,” he says. “It is a revolving dynamic of how they circulate around each other, pull away from each other and come back.”
Both productions express Tennessee Williams’ concepts of bringing to light the imperfect side of humanity, according to Boykin.
“The characters he makes are beautifully human, flawed and wonderful,” she says. “I hope people are affected by the relationships in these stories and they recognize that sitting in the darkness only lasts so long when someone helps you out of it. Hope comes from the other people willing to help.”
The production will run Feb. 20-22. The performance time is 6 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
Ticket reservations are made through Eventbrite. The cost is $10 for adults and free for LC faculty, staff and students. Guests are encouraged to ensure they select the appropriate ticket when given the option. Cash and checks are accepted at the door.
Category: Community, Students, Academics, Arts and Culture
Keywords: Theatre, Art
