On Sept. 25, 2025, West Texas A&M University’s theatre department put on their latest show, ‘Dead Man’s Cell Phone’. Opening to a sold-out audience. I arrived early at the box office to get my ticket, only to find out they had already sold out. A sold-out night is an incredible sight for those who worked so hard to put on the play. Then there I was with my notebook in hand, patiently listening for my name to be called from the waiting list. Luckily, about 10 minutes before showtime, it was.

Finally inside, I found myself sitting between two couples. The couple on my left was very kind, and we talked about the arts in the Canyon area. The setup of the performance space was unique; there was not really a stage. Instead, there were two tables on the floor arranged like a diner. On one table, there sat a hat that looked like something a 1920’s flapper might wear. I found it refreshing that not many people were on their phones, and that everyone seemed genuinely excited to be there.

Let me start with the lighting. According to the program, Jillian Nuckles and Josh Hodge designed it. Their work with light and shadow was absolutely incredible. The costumes, designed in a 1950’s style paired with the presence of cell phones, created an interesting contrast. The fabric and composition were well thought out and worked beautifully for the story.

I especially want to highlight Avery Fedele’s performance as Jean (or “A Woman”). She seemed a little nervous at first, which is completely understandable for opening night. But once she grew more comfortable, she fully brought the character to life. Jean is constantly asking questions ,like why she continues to answer a phone that is not hers, and Fedele captured her character’s curiosity and conflict wonderfully. She did an excellent job carrying the story.

I also want to give credit to Mackenzie Cohan and Ty Thompson, who both gave strong performances in their roles. In fact, the entire cast kept me on my toes I was never sure what was going to happen next, which made the show exciting from start to finish.

Overall, the cast and crew did an incredible job. This was my first show at WT, and I can confidently say it won’t be my last. Follow @wttheatre on Instagram to keep up with their season of shows.