Central College Students to Perform Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest"

by Mary Pautsch

Pella, IA (11/04/2026) — Central College's Department of Visual and Performing Arts will present Oscar Wilde's play, "The Importance of Being Earnest." This production will run Thursday, Nov. 12, to Sunday, Nov. 15, in the Kruidenier Center, with performances at 7 p.m. and a matinee on Sunday at 2 p.m.

C.D. Adamson, associate professor of theatre, is the director. Ron Rybkowski, technical director of theatre, aids in the technical aspects of the show. Together, they will be working with a cast and crew of 25 students and a community member.

"'The Importance of Being Earnest' is a wildly entertaining comedy that sparkles with dazzling wordplay and hilarious unlikely situations," Adamson says. "It is a trivial comedy for serious people, but silliness ensues with whimsical ingenues, jealous fiancees, indomitable dowagers and it includes the most famous handbag in theatre history."

Purchase tickets at central.universitytickets.com. Tickets are $10 per person, or free with a Central ID.

The cast includes:

• Benjamin Evans, Class of 2030, undeclared major from Pella, Iowa, as Algernon Moncrieff.
• Mason Farrington, Class of 2027, musical theatre major from Ottumwa, Iowa, as John Worthing.
• Pril Heartfell, Class of 2026, psychology major from South Amana, Iowa, as Merriman and Lane.
• Mae Hoard, a Central Market assistant from Pella, Iowa, as Lady Bracknell.
• Toby Julin-McCleary, Class of 2028, biology and kinesiology double major from Cedar Falls, Iowa, as Rev. Canon Chausable.
• Eryn Lenhart, Class of 2027, musical theatre and communications studies double major from Bondurant, Iowa, as Hon. Gwendolyn Fairfax and aiding in costume design and construction.
• Samantha Pagel, Class of 2027, vocal music education major from Madrid, Iowa, as Cecily Cardew and carpenter crew.
• Brooke Watson, Class of 2028, musical theatre major from Newton, Iowa, as Miss Prism, props master and front of house crew.

Students in the production crew include:

• Angelica Anderson, Class of 2027, music major from Marne, Iowa, as sound board operator.
• Lillie Barker (Aurora Tiller),[SE1] [JB2] Class of 2029, musical theatre major from State Center, Iowa, as assistant scenic designer, make-up designer, costume construction and carpenter crew.
• Emma Boston, Class of 2029, psychology major from Waukee, Iowa, as assistant stage manager and sound designer.
• Audrey Calfee, Class of 2030, English major from Bedford, Iowa, aiding in the run crew.
• Donovan Card, Class of 2027, computer science major from Norwalk, Iowa, as carpenter crew.
• Katey Coley, Class of 2027, undeclared major from Marseilles, Illinois, aiding in costume construction.
• Kylie Coley, Class of 2027, business management major from Marseilles, Illinois, aiding in costume construction.
• Rylinn Dale, Class of 2027, musical theatre and art double major from Marshalltown, Iowa, aiding in hair and wigs and as carpenter crew.
• Sofiea Geistkemper, Class of 2028, computer science major from Marion, Iowa, as stage manager.
• Katie Hamlow, Class of 2028 environmental and sustainability studies major from Woodland Park, Colorado, aiding in costume design and construction.
• MacKenzie Jerrett, Class of 2030, undeclared major from Des Moines, Iowa, aiding in the run crew.
• Abigail Matson, Class of 2029, English major from Ankeny, Iowa, as assistant props master.
• Mika McCool, Class of 2027, English and musical theatre double major from Colesburg, Iowa, as dramaturg.
• Nathan McDonald, Class of 2030, multi-media design major from Delta, Iowa, aiding in the run crew.
• Ashley Purk, Class of 2027, art and Spanish double major from Ira, Iowa, as a run crew member.
• Selena Snell, Class of 2027, musical theatre major from Kansas City, Missouri, aiding in the run crew.
• Marin Tribolet, Class of 2029, sociology and psychology double major from Urbandale, Iowa, as light board operator.
• Kaylee Wilson, Class of 2030, undeclared major from Des Moines, Iowa, as run crew member.
• Miles-Xavier Young, Class of 2028, English and musical theatre double major from Akron, Iowa, as carpenter crew.

Central College of Pella, Iowa, is a private college known for its active student body, academic rigor and athletics success. Ranked the No. 2 Best Value College in Iowa by Niche.com, Central offers a learning environment with supportive educators committed to intellectual engagement, personal growth, career readiness and civic involvement. Founded in 1853 and shaped by its Christian heritage, the college of 1,100 students participates in NCAA Division III athletics. Central is an active part of the Greater Des Moines region and just minutes from Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake.

Media Attachments

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The public is welcome to join the mayhem of Oscar Wilde’s play, “The Importance of Being Earnest,” performed by Central College’s Department of Visual and Performing Arts. Two characters are, left, Eryn Lenhart, Class of 2027, as Hon. Gwendolyn Fairfax, and Samantha Pagel, Class of 2027, as Cecily Cardew.