For a $5 ticket fee, you could come watch the Boomtown Players Theater Department’s very first show of the year, Zoo Story, on September 15 in front of the high school’s auditorium at 3:30 pm. The director, Catherine Gaertner, handpicked her cast for this show this past summer. Gaertner and her cast of two actors and no crew have been working on this production since May. They are thrilled to put on this show and share its message.

“They didn’t audition in a traditional way. They were the two I wanted in it,” Gaertner said. “In May, we read through a couple of scenes, and it was obvious to all three of us how it needed to be cast.”

The two she wanted were Dakota Martin, who plays Jerry, and Seth Hardin, who plays Peter. Martin and Hardin have both been working with Gaertner for three years now. Gaertner has seen how the two have grown as actors through the time spent with them and decided she had the cast she needed for Zoo Story.

“Jerry has become one of my favorite roles. This character represents, for me, a major growth in my acting abilities. Like I’m going to the next level,” Martin said,  “It’s really exciting that I get to play this iconic character from classic theater.”

While Martin enjoys seeing himself grow through the character of Jerry, Hardin has different reasons why Peter is so important to him.

“To me, Peter represents the mask of perfection that is prevalent in upper-class white culture. It is important to me that Peter stands as a symbol of an almost ignorant wealthy class, and why that is a problem in the world,” Hardin said. 

Even though all three of them are so excited to perform and have had so much success with this production, that does not come without its challenges. Over the summer, the lights in the auditorium stopped working. Without a lighting system, it’s nearly impossible to put on a great show, but that certainly has not stopped Gaertner and her actors. The company of three decided the show must go on.

“Our lighting system not working at all, has definitely made this production different,” Hardin said.

Even so, it was decided that they would perform in front of the high school’s auditorium. Zoo Story takes place in a park, so Gaertner had no problem with performing outside. In fact, Gaertner even believed perhaps it would make the show that much better.

“Even with lights, this play will be even more special on a Sunday afternoon, exactly when the play is set,” Gaertner stated.

According to the company, Zoo Story is a show that is memorable and fun, but it will also leave you speechless. 

“​​This is just one of those shows you don’t forget. It’s got a message that can change your outlook on how you go about life,” Hardin said.

With that being said, the Boomtown Players ask you to step right up, bring a lawn chair, and come support the wonderful experience of Zoo Story on September 15, at 3:30 pm at the Kilgore High School.