“My favorite part of a show isn’t even the performing part; it’s afterwards when I get to talk to the audience,” said Western. “I get to gauge how good of a time they had. It’s so much fun for me to see their reactions. If it’s a drama and I hear a sniffle in the audience, I think, ‘Yes, I’m doing my job right.’”

Fast forward a decade, and Western is a theater major at �����Ƶ, where his journey took an unexpected turn in the spring of 2020 amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. His determination, coupled with his love for the craft, kept him pushing forward even as stage performances faced unprecedented hurdles.

His love of connecting with the audience would have to find new avenues, and it wouldn’t take long to find one. Rather than waiting to interact with the audience after the performance, he pursued works with audience involvement in the pieces themselves.

In the fall of 2020, Western had the opportunity to perform with an improv troupe at the University, despite the challenges of performing with masks and social distancing. This experience marked a turning point in Logan’s journey, as he began to appreciate the power of audience interaction and spontaneity in theater.

In recent years, there have been more shows on campus where audience members have a direct role in the performance. In these shows, Western is able to help train his castmates for the improv side of their roles.

“I lean more toward the baptized-by-fire approach,” he said laughingly. “There have been a couple of times where I have to do the improv audience bits for them, and I’ll throw out the most off-the-wall questions that have absolutely nothing to do with the plot. Sometimes I’ll get up there and when it’s the scenes where we’re supposed to be reenacting something, I do it way over exaggerated.”

Adding, “Yeah, I’m that guy.”

Western’s experiences at Georgia Southern have helped him develop stage skills which apply to traditional and modern approaches to theater. His dedication extends beyond the stage, as he has explored the technical aspects of theater, gaining a holistic understanding of the art form.

His latest endeavor is in the upcoming improvisational comedy show, “Lethal Lecture.” This murder mystery combines Western’s love of the stage and his quick-wit improv skills with the audience becoming an active part of the performance.

“Lethal Lecture” is presented by the student theater group, The Masquers. The show will run Oct. 27 and Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 29 at 3 p.m. on the Armstrong Campus in Savannah in Jenkins Hall Theatre. Tickets are $12 for general admission, and discounts are available for military, seniors and children. Georgia Southern students, faculty and staff are free with Eagle ID. For more information, .

The Theatre & Performance program at �����Ƶ continues the 2015-16 season with Bernie Sahlins’ and Nick Rudall’s “The Mysteries: Creation.” Directed by Lisa Abbott, “The Mysteries: Creation” is a modern adaptation of the medieval mystery plays that were used to share Bible stories in the days when literacy was often limited to the churches and church leaders. This production explores the biblical tales of the Creation, Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and the Ark, Abraham and Isaac and ends with the Nativity.��The show is an interactive experience with audience members invited onto the stage to join in song and dance in celebration of these stories.�� During the Middle Ages various guilds of workers were each responsible for the different stories presented during church festivals. Georgia Southern’s production reflects that history with the actors playing a company of modern-day blue-collar workers coming together to perform the play. The set, props and costumes are a creative conglomeration of found materials that reflect the simple faith of the performers. A live rock band on stage adds to the energy and excitement of the performance. Featured actors in this production include Akil Jackson as God, Whitaker Gardner as Lucifer, Tyra Wilson as Gabriel and Kathryn Burrell as Mary. The performance��is family friendly and a great theatre experience for young children. “The Mysteries: Creation” opens Wednesday, Nov. 11, and runs through Wednesday, Nov. 18, in the Black Box Theatre at the University’s Center for Art & Theatre. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee performance on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 2 p.m. An additional evening performance has been added on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m. There will be no show on Monday, Nov. 16. The house opens at 7 p.m., and audience members are encouraged to arrive no later than 7:15 p.m. to ensure good seats. All seating is general admission and the balcony will serve as overflow seating. Student and youth tickets are $6. Faculty, staff and community tickets are $12. For more information on group prices, contact the box office at 912-478-5379. ��Call the box office at 912-478-5379 to make reservations. Reservation requests can be left on box office voicemail 24-hours a day. The box office is open Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., for ticket purchases and reopens at 6 p.m. on performance days. Theatre & Performance productions are made possible through funding from student activity fees. �����Ƶ, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 125 degree programs serving more than 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education. Visit .

The Theatre & Performance program at �����Ƶ will open its 2015-2016 season on Wednesday, Sept. 30, with Martin McDonagh’s “The Pillowman,” winner of the 2004 Laurence Olivier Award for best play. With echoes of Stoppard, Kafka and the Brothers Grimm, “The Pillowman” centers on a writer in an unnamed totalitarian state who is being interrogated about the gruesome content of his short stories and their similarities to a series of child murders. The result is an urgent work of theatrical bravura and an unflinching examination of the very nature and purpose of art. Directed by Nicholas Newell, “The Pillowman” explores the darker side of humanity and creativity bringing to question the freedom of expression and role of art. As his farewell performance on the Georgia Southern stage, senior Greg Hernandez will take on the leading role of Katurian, originally played by David Tenant. The University’s Theatre & Performance program has a long-standing reputation for excellence in artistic achievement among industry professionals. While studying theatre at Georgia Southern, students have the opportunity to perform, design and direct in two state-of-the-art performance facilities: The Performing Arts Center and the Center for Art & Theatre. Theatre & Performance productions are sponsored in part by student activity fees. “The Pillowman” runs through Wednesday, Oct. 7, in the Black Box Theatre at the University’s Center for Art & Theatre, 233 Pittman Drive. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee performance on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 2 p.m. The theater will be dark on Monday, Oct. 5.�� A media preview��of��the��production will be held on Monday, Sept. 28, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Student and youth tickets are $6 each. The play is recommended for mature audiences because of language and content. Faculty, staff and community tickets are $12. All seating is general admission. The house opens at 7 p.m. and audience members are encouraged to arrive no later than 7:15 p.m. to ensure good seats. The balcony will serve as overflow seating. Call the box office at 912-478-5379 to make reservations. Reservation requests can be left on box office voicemail 24-hours a day. The box office is open for ticket purchases, Monday through Friday, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and reopens at 6 p.m. on performance days.�� �����Ƶ, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 125 degree programs serving more than 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education. Visit .