Opening in the first week of November is the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Theater’s production of “June Bugs.”
The show is about a group of homeless people living in a public park who have formed a sort of family bond amongst each other. The show deals with humanizing their lives and detailing their issues with poverty, drug abuse and mental illness.
“I hope the audiences get a different perspective on the homeless community,” began actor in June Bugs Dylan Mendoza, “they have a past, they did come from somewhere, and it’s the disease of addiction we shouldn’t overlook.”
“June Bugs” is an original play written by Director of Theater Activities, as well as director of the production, Corey Ranson
Ranson explains how he was inspired to write this play through observing the many homeless people that leave near the public park closest to his house.
“I think that when we see characters in a play that are homeless, they tend to come off relatively stereotypical,” Ranson said.
Listening to their conversations, observing their activities, as well as exploring their drug abuse, is a subject that is very personal to Ranson.
“I’ve had someone I grew up with overdose on heroine, so I’m pretty familiar with the behavior that I’ve experienced with them,” Ranson said.
The cast itself is working hard to make sure this story gets told the right way by fully immersing themselves in the characters they have been cast to play.
“Rehearsals have been intense and not only physically draining, but mentally draining,” actor in the play Laurie Hoefelmeyer said. “These are the kind of roles that really test you, having to immerse yourself in such a volatile, emotional state.”
With a cast that has worked together many times before, and rehearsals going exceptionally well, the show will be open Nov. 2, 3 and 4 in the Little Theater on campus.