Staff photo / Andy Gray “The Rocky Horror Show” opens tonight at Kent State University at Trumbull as this year’s Summer Stock musical.

Marie Keene-James has been involved in Kent State University at Trumbull Theatre for more than 30 years, occasionally appearing on stage as well as working as a stage manager and handling other behind-the-scenes tasks.

“The Rocky Horror Show,” which opens tonight for an eight-performance run, will be her first time directing there.

She picked the Richard O’Brien musical, perhaps best known for its 1975 film adaptation “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” for a couple of reasons.

“This particular show, at its core, is always challenging audiences to question things about gender, love, conformity and the boxes that society tries to put us in,” Keene-James said. “It reminds us that being different’s not something to hide; it’s something to celebrate. I think those themes matter today just as much as they did when the show originally came out, and I was also excited because we’re still on the tail end of the 50th anniversary of the original production.”

Another factor also influenced the decision.

“My daughter, Kenzie (James-Ramsey), is a scenic designer, and she’s like, ‘Mom, I want to scenic design this,’ and I’m like, ‘OK, let’s see what we can do.’ It’s been a family affair.”

In addition to designing the set, James-Ramsey is assistant director and one of the costume designers. Her husband, Cordell Ramsey, is the lighting designer and plays Riff-Raff.

The set design is a break from the traditional, as the story follows an engaged, straight-laced couple, Brad Majors and Janet Weiss, who end up at a remote castle after their car breaks down in the countryside. It is the home of transvestite scientist Dr. Frank N. Furter, his “creation” Rocky and other outrageous characters.

In Kent-Trumbull’s production, the castle is replaced by a more carnival-like setting — minus the clowns.

“I think that people will get a kick out of it being with the carnival theme, with our costumes and our set design, and incorporating aspects of that,” Keene-James said. “Frank N. Furter has a top hat, because he’s the ringleader. There’s lots of color, lots of glitter and very whimsical, like what you would expect to see at a carnival.”

One of the reasons the film version has a cult following is because its fans have turned it into an interactive experience. Keene-James decided to embrace that element. Prop bags will be available for purchase. The cast will use the aisles and the whole theater space to interact with the audience and adapt depending upon the verbal feedback they get from the crowd.

“In our rehearsals, we have practiced a lot of the callbacks, because your actors have to be prepared for that,” Keene-James said.

“It’s not your typical show that you say your lines, and then it’s the next line. Sometimes, you have to respond to those callouts, specifically our narrator (played by Jenna Cintavey). We have rehearsed different ways that callouts can go, and she has different responses. Our narrator is a veteran of theater and she’s amazing. It’s amazing the talent we have in this show.”

The cast features Harmon R. Andrews, Nathalie Catherine, Brooke Jonas, Krista Bailes, Dakota Smith, Lincoln Hall, Sarah Whitlatch, Greg Lanning, Erika Scharf, Allyson Wenger, Raquel Allison, Liam J. Burk, Nate Chapline, Lucifer Spirit, Victor Crowe, Katelyn Hickox, Kenzi Osbourne, Emma Woodyard, Jonathan Bahrey, Ramsey and Cintavey.

The actors are the ones under the stage lights, but Keene-James also stressed the importance of those behind the scenes.

The production team includes Tyler Stouffer, music director; Patience Miles, choreographer; Natalie Catherine, assistant choreographer; Jessica Brumfield, stage manager, intimacy coordinator and costume designer; Hannah Sisler, assistant stage manager; Samantha Brumfield, properties designer; Grayson Montoya, sound designer; Baz Wenger, technical director; Harmon R. Andrews, assistant technical director; Katelyn Hickox, dance captain; Kim Gapinski, costume consultant; and Brooke Jonas, make-up artist.

“I know that techie people don’t usually get acknowledged,” she said. “Being a techie person myself, although I’ve been on stage, I think that it’s important to give them their due credit.”

If you go …

WHAT: Kent-Trumbull Summer Stock — “The Rocky Horror Show”

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday through July 26

WHERE: Kent State University at Trumbull, 4314 Mahoning Ave. NW, Champion:,

HOW MUCH: Tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for students and senior citizens and $21 for children ages 12 and younger and free for Kent students and faculty and are available online at ksutt.ludus.com. For more information, call 330-675-8887.