After a tragic incident of spousal abuse, two families must come to terms with the aftermath in Sam Shepherd’s psychologically gripping tale “A Lie of the Mind” at Mary Moody Northen Theater (MMNT).

Jared J. Stein, a freelance playwright and an acting and art director based in Austin since 2007, is a guest director for the show. His experience includes four years of teaching at Southwestern University as well as directing several shows in the Austin area. Not only does he host an impressive résumé, but he has adapted Shepard’s play to fit MMNT.

 “In this environment we had to adapt pretty drastically to tell the same story with the same amount of weight, with the same significance because everything is seen by everybody,” Stein said

The story’s message not only relies on the expansive set but also on the idea of preservation.

“It’s an incredibly brutal story about the nature of wanting to hold on to something that we know we have to say goodbye to and how violent and how painful it is to say goodbye,” Stein said. “It’s uniquely American, in my opinion, although its mythologically important for the whole world that these [characters] are holding on to each other because there literally is nothing else.”

For more than a month now, the cast of students, faculty and industry professionals have been rehearsing and building excitement as opening night approaches.

The roles transcend the simplicity of their given names, such as Jake and Sally. Sophomore Jon Richardson spoke about the complexity of his character, Frankie.

“He goes a lot by gut and I can relate to that,” Richardson said. “He goes on a journey to find out if the woman that his brother abused is okay.”

Richardson also mentioned how Stein has brought out emotions and passions in his character that he had no idea were in himself.

Senior actress Meredith Montgomery returns to MMNT as Beth, after appearances last season in “The Imaginary Invalid” and “Who is Afraid of Virginia Woolf.”

“This is the most difficult [role] I have had in my life up to date,” Montgomery said. “[Beth] has brain damage from her husband beating her… The thing that has been most difficult and most wonderful about this role is portraying her and to have gradual progression of healing, both mentally and physically.”

“A Lie of the Mind” runs Nov. 10 to Nov. 20 at MMNT on campus.  Shows run Thursday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Student tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling 512-448-8484.