THEATRE WESLEYAN TO PRESENT WORLD PREMIERE PLAY “LETTERS FROM THE LIBRARY” IN FEBRUARY

FORT WORTH, TX (January 16, 2025) – Theatre Wesleyan will present the world premiere of
Letters From The Library, a new play by graduating senior theatre major Mercedes Kuhn,
from February 19-23, 2025. The play will be directed by Texas Wesleyan University theatre
alumna Cheryl Penland ‘88. An open to the public post-show reception in the playwright’s
honor will be held following the Saturday evening performance on February 22.
Performances will be held at the Thad Smotherman Theatre at Texas Wesleyan University
(1205 Binkley Street, 76105). Tickets are now available at txwes.edu/theatretickets.
The plot for Letters From The Library is as follows: In rural Kentucky, at the height of the Great
Depression, Harriet’s husband falls ill and loses his job, leaving them with very few options. In
order to keep their spirits up, Harriet takes advantage of the Packhorse Library Project and
meets Leslie, a traveling librarian who brightens up Harriet’s darkening world. This production is
recommended for mature audiences and contains mild adult themes.
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The cast, design team, and crew include Texas Wesleyan theatre majors and minors pursuing
Bachelor or Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees. The cast includes Trinity Chenault as Harriet, a
homestead wife who is not content with her marriage; Trent Cole as Warren, Harriet’s stubborn
husband who is a coal miner; and Bianca Zamorano as Leslie, a packhorse librarian.
The production team includes Cheryl Penland (director), Rocky Olguin (stage manager), Sam
Perez (assistant stage manager), Jennye James (production manager), Colin Schwartz
(technical director), Pella LeFever (scenic design), Trinity Chenault (costume design), Jazmin
Rebollar (assistant costume design), Chad Rojas (lighting design), Elizabeth Holmes (sound
design), Nathalie Beyna (props design), Ricky Olivarez (graphic design), and Connie WhittLambert (playwriting mentor).
ABOUT GUEST DIRECTOR CHERYL PENLAND
After graduating from Texas Wesleyan University in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Theatre and Speech, Cheryl Penland taught for five years at a private school for the performing
arts. During her time as the theatre arts director at Trimble Tech High School in Fort Worth, she
was named Outstanding Teacher of the Year three times.
While working as an actress, Penland built credits in live theatre, TV, film, and voice-overs and
has directed more than 200 productions across her career. Her former students are now making
a huge mark on the theatre/film/TV communities across this country and in India as actors,
stage managers, designers, choreographers, singers, and technicians.
She was the recipient of the Live Theatre League of Tarrant County’s Theatre Arts Educator of
the Year Award in 2007-2008 and Drama Teacher of the Year by The Texas Film Institute in 2009.

She was named the 2016-2017 Broadway at the Bass Teaching Chair of Excellence in
Theatre and Dance and in 2017 was honored to be a finalist for the Tony Award for Excellence
in Education.

ABOUT PLAYWRIGHT MERCEDES KUHN
Mercedes Kuhn is a graduating senior theatre major pursuing a BA in Theatre at Texas
Wesleyan University. The development and production of Letters from the Library will serve as
Mercedes’ senior project.
Kuhn’s Theatre Wesleyan credits include The Death of Seneca (Dramatis Personae), Intimate
Apparel (assistant projections design), Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Ensemble),
and most recently The Ives Archives (stage manager). Performance credits at TCC Theatre
Northwest include The Cat in the Hat (Sally), Zombie Prom (Candy), Slasher (Christie
Garcia/Others), and her original play The Friends We Made Along The Way, which she also
directed and choreographed. Follow Mercedes on Instagram @worksofmercedeskuhn


PERFORMANCE DATES

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    • Wednesday, February 19 at 7:30 pm
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    • Thursday, February 20 at 7:30 pm
    • Friday, February 21 at 7:30 pm
    • Saturday, February 22 at 2:00 pm Matinee
    • Saturday, February 22 at 7:30 pm & Post-Show Reception
    • Sunday, February 23 at 2:00 pm Matinee
      PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
      The show runtime is approximately 80 minutes without an intermission. Tickets are priced at
      $10.00 for general admission seating and can now be purchased online at
      txwes.edu/theatretickets or by calling (817) 531-4211. Tickets will also be available at the door
      in-person beginning one hour before each performance.
      All plans a(facebook.com/theatrewesleyan) or Instagram (@theatrewesleyan) for the most up-to-date
    • details.
    • If you have questions, please contact the Theatre Wesleyan office at (817) 531-5867.

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