Friday, March 6, 2026
The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
Lifestyles

‘Big River’ CASTS OFF

Guest Author

Cast list to be posted Friday, Rehearsals start Monday for a musical spin on Twain’s classic tale. 

Brayla Miller, 10, of Chadron, pretends to hold a telescope during her audition for “Big River,” Tuesday in Memorial Hall’s Black Box. — Photos by Ashley Swanson
Brayla Miller, 10, of Chadron, pretends to hold a telescope during her audition for “Big River,” Tuesday in Memorial Hall’s Black Box. — Photos by Ashley Swanson

The Chadron State College Theatre Department will be preforming “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” with music.

The CSC Theatre Department received a grant from Nebraska Arts, and they will also have a guest actor, D. Kevin Williams, who will be playing the part of Big Jim in the Huckleberry Finn musical, “Big River.”

Auditions were held August 19 and callbacks on August 20. 32 students auditioned for the musical, and there are 14 parts to be filled. Along with the college students, 10 year old Brayla Miller of Chadron auditioned.

Each student auditioning had to perform a memorized monologue and folk song. The songs ranged anywhere from “Walking After Midnight” to “Danny Boy.”

21 year old senior Zachary Henderson from Douglas, Wyoming auditioned for the part of The Duke.

Lane Swedberg, 21, senior of North Platte, talks to a doctor about spots on his arms during his audition, Tuesday. — Photos by Ashley Swanson
Lane Swedberg, 21, senior of North Platte, talks to a doctor about spots on his arms during his audition, Tuesday. — Photos by Ashley Swanson

“I auditioned because it seemed like a lot of fun,” Henderson said.

21 year old senior Rebecca Lashmett of Lusk, Wyoming didn’t audition for a specific role.

“I received a Theatre Scholarship and that requires me to audition,” Lashmett said.

18 year old freshman Jesse Snider of Lincoln, Nebraska auditioned for his first college role.

“I like to act, and I’m a theatre major,”

There aren’t many female roles in the musical, so 20 year old junior Tami Rethman of Verdon auditioned for any female part.

“I auditioned because this is what I want to do,” she said.

The musical will have four shows in November, including the 20th-22nd at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday the 23rd at two p.m.