JU photo students create companion exhibit to Players by the Sea’s “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”

By Phillip Milano

It’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, live and in photos.

As part of their Alternative Photographic Processes class, Jacksonville University students have created a companion photo exhibit to go along with Players by the Sea’s production of the Tennessee Williams classic April 20-May 12.

Their works, printed using contemporary and historical photographic techniques, are a response to the emotions each character evoked in the students, said JU’s Ginger Sheridan, assistant professor of photography.

“We discussed the primary characters, with each student choosing one,” she said. “We researched the classical archetypes represented by these characters and began to develop imagery to match.”

For example, senior Janae LaFleur worked with the character of Big Mama, concluding in her artist statement that hangs with her photos that she is “Always being there but never fully seen.” LaFleur made image transfers and then adorned them with 3D objects, such as using material from a real rubber glove for Big Mama’s rubber gloves.

Students taking part in the exhibit, which is in the theater’s Grune Gallery, are Laura Heckt, Janae LaFleur, Lauren Tidwell, Saluma Carroll, Samantha Nader, Kim Fahey, Chelsea Thompson, Daniel Holmes, Dale Roberts and Taylor Middleton.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof runs April 20-May 12 at Players by the Sea, 106 Sixth St. N., Jacksonville Beach. Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for students and senior citizens. For reservations and information, call (904) 249-0289.

Information on the exhibit: Ginger Sheridan, assistant professor of photography, Jacksonville University, (904) 256-7372, gsherid@ju.edu.