The Western Texas College Theater Department presents The Boys Next Door by Tom Griffin, March 4 to 6, 2026. All performances of this poignant drama start at 7:00 PM in the Fine Arts Theater, Building 19.
SYNOPSIS
The Boys Next Door tells the heartwarming, poignant tale of four men with intellectual, emotional, and developmental challenges living together in a group home, supervised by a social worker. Set during a roughly two-month period in their lives, the audience learns the sorrows and joys of their everyday lives.
The story follows these four men as they navigate work, relationships, misunderstandings, and moments of triumph. The audience is introduced to Arnold, a talkative and obsessive janitor; Norman, a doughnut-loving worker proudly carrying his keys; Lucien, who imagines he can read despite his limitations; and Barry, a schizophrenic golf enthusiast coping with deep emotional wounds. The group’s lives are guided and narrated by Jack, their earnest but increasingly worn-out social worker. Jack’s own growth and decisions, including thoughts of a job change, provide an emotional anchor for the audience.
Through a series of vignettes, the play mixes laughter with compassionate insight, revealing both the unique personalities of the men and the universal human desire for connection and dignity.
PERFORMANCES
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Thursday, March 5, 2026
Friday, March 6, 2026
All performances are at 7:00 p.m. in the WTC Fine Arts Theater, Building 19 (yellow).
TICKETS
FREE for students, WTC faculty, and staff
Adults $5.00
RESERVATIONS
For reservations or for more information, please contact Drama Professor Ray Newton at 325-574-7652 or email ray.newton@wtc.edu.
CAST
Arnold Wiggins: Evan Jackson
Lucien P. Smith: Omar Isaac Ruacho
Jack: Daylan McGee
Ms. Fremus, Ms. Warren, Ms. Hedges, Clara, Senator Clarke: Serenity Perez
Mr. Klemper: Manuel Menchaca
Barry Klemper: Conner Vaughan
Sheila: Katherine Stein
Norman Bulansky: Jace Alaniz
PRODUCTION STAFF
DIRECTOR: Ray Newton
LIGHTS: Isaac Ruacho, Serenity Perez, Evan Jackson, Conner Vaughan
SOUND: Daylan McGee, Jace Alaniz
SET: Cast
COSTUMES: Cast
TECHNICAL ASSISTANT: Grant Knipe, Conner Vaughan, Manuel “Manny” Menchaca
PHOTOGRAPHER: Corey Knipe
PROMOTION: Lorenzo Sands. Ellianna Gonzales
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT/PLAYBILL: Sharon Gill
THE BOYS NEXT DOOR is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Dramatists Play Service.