Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Where does a university professor about to direct Bernard Slade's comedy, "Tribute," find an actor talented and experienced enough to play Scottie Templeton, the lead role for which Jack Lemmon received a Tony and Oscar nomination?

If the director is Allen Oster, professor of theatre at Stephen F. Austin State University, he contacts one of his former students, Andy Long, whose résumé includes numerous professional acting roles, appearances in comedy clubs across the nation and collaborations with comedians from "MADtv" and "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"

Long received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from SFA in 1988 and his Master of Arts in 1990. While building his career on stage, in broadcasting and in corporate entertainment and presentations, he has remained in contact with his former teachers.

"Allen (Oster) has come to several of my performances in Dallas over the years, and we've often talked about working together again. But scheduling conflicts always arose," Long said.

This summer Long was able to arrange a month off from Dallas Children's Theater where he teaches, directs and acts, so that he could accept the part in "Tribute."

"It's an honor to be invited back to one's alma mater as a professional, a real honor," Long said.

Long plays Scottie Templeton, a man who has always been the life of the party. When he gets the news that he has leukemia, he sees the party ending, explained the actor. "But for everyone else's sake, and his own, he'd like to keep the party going. So he covers his grief with comedy."

"My character also has a desperate need and want to reconnect with his son and to fix the problems in his son that he created," the actor said.

The combination of Scottie's personality and his life situation makes for a script that Long describes as a "serio-comedy"--very funny but also very serious.

"I do a lot of Neil Simon, and pure comedy is fantastic, but it's lovely to have a comedy you can really sink your teeth into," he continued.

Long thinks the audience will connect with the comedy on many levels. "They'll laugh, have an enjoyable time, be taken by surprise by some of the jokes, but also be touched by events and situations that they can recognize in their own lives."

"Tribute" is the first play of the SFA School of Theatre's summer season. It will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 20, through Saturday, June 23, in W.M. Turner Auditorium. It is recommended for mature audiences.

Other plays included in the summer season are Jon Klein's "Dimly Perceived Threats to the System" and "Tintypes," a musical revue conceived by Mary Kyte. All shows are at 7:30 p.m. in W.M. Turner Auditorium.

"Dimly Perceived Threats to the System" will be presented Friday, June 29; Saturday, June 30; Wednesday, July 11; and Thursday, July 12. It is recommended for mature audiences.

"Tintypes" will be presented on Friday, July 6; Saturday, July 7; Friday, July 13; and Saturday, July 14.

Season tickets, which include one ticket for each play, are $20 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. Single tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. For tickets or more information, please visit www.sfasu.edu/finearts or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.

The SFA Summer Repertory Season is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Theatre.