Home / News and Information /

Man of La Mancha’s ‘Barber’, ‘Captain of the Inquisition’

By Juanita Kissell

Special to BPC News and Public Information office

MOUNT VERNON—The following profiles are eighth in a series of releases by Brewton-Parker College’s theater department, which will perform Man of La Mancha, a musical comedy, April 19-21 at Southeastern Technical College’s Toombs Auditorium. Performances will start at 7:30 p.m. each night. Tickets are $8 general admission and free for those who present their valid BPC ID at the door.

Tim Cunningham, “Barber”

Tim Cunningham as the ‘Barber’

Name: Tim Cunningham                                                                 

Major: Business in BBA Advantage, former music major                             

Hometown: Vidalia

Current career: Works security at Paul Anderson Youth Home

Dream job: Perform and travel with a Southern Gospel men’s quartet

Favorite leisure activities: Vegetable gardening, hunting with his daughter, and playing chess

Previous Theater experience: This is his theatrical debut

Cunningham plays the “Barber” in Man of La Mancha, “a traveling man, going from village to village to earn his living.” 

Cunningham’s favorite part about playing this role is singing and acting silly, while his biggest challenge is being intimidated and silly.  In describing his character, Cunningham says, “Barber is a man who is basically content with his job; however, he is easily influenced and intimidated by new or more powerful personalities.”   

J.W. Gibson, “Captain of the Inquisition”

J.W. Gibson as ‘Captain of the Inquisition’

Name: J.W. Gibson

Year in College: Freshman

Major: Political science

Minor: Social science

Hometown: Vidalia

Plans for future/career: Take the LSAT, to be accepted into law school, enter into a large law firm and become an excellent lawyer

Dream job:  Series actor

Organizations/Activities: Student Government Association, Circle K, Rotaract Club, and LASO

Favorite leisure activities: Theology discussions, personal research, anime development, and Christian services

Previous Theater experience: Where is “Sal” play, Commedia del’ Morte, skits at churches, and Killer Squirrel Part 2 (independent film)

Gibson plays the role of the “Captain of the Inquisition” in the musical, and describes his character as “a sarcastic, powerful, and uncaring individual who loves to scare people.  His sarcasm developed from a ‘same-old, same-old’ attitude.” 

Gibson’s favorite aspect of portraying this character is the entrance music and the sarcastic lines.  He does not feel that the role has a big challenge.

-BPC-