UNL University Theatre, the academic production program of the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film, opens its season Oct. 10 with Moira Buffini’s “Silence” in the Temple Building’s Studio Theatre.

Set in 1000 A.D., “Silence” is the story of Ymma, a French princess, shipped to England for an arranged marriage to Silence, a Viking prince. The two develop a surprising friendship which becomes threatened by a homicidal English king, a confused priest, a jealous soldier and hallucinogenic mushrooms.

“The greatest danger of all, however, is the truth about who Silence really is,” said Dennis Henry, a graduate student directing the production. “It is a secret that, if revealed, will change the course of history.”

Performances, all in the Temple Building, are 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19; and 2 p.m. Oct. 13 and 20. Tickets are $16 general admission, $14 faculty, staff and senior citizens, and $10 students. Tickets are available at the Lied Center for Performing Arts box office, by calling 402-472-4747, online at http://carsonschool.unl.edu, or in the Temple lobby one hour prior to a performance.

Henry directs the production in partial fulfillment for a Master of Fine Arts degree in directing for stage and screen.

Henry said Buffini loosely based characters in the play on historical source materials.

Leading cast members are Maggie Austin as Ymma; Bren Hill as Silence; and Ryan Rabstejnek as Ethelred. Other members of the cast are Kirstie Smith, David Michael Fox and Luke Glassman.

The production is designed by Michaela Stein (scenic), David Tousley (props), Sarah Resch (lighting), Katie Davis (costumes), Sonia Sandoval (sound), and Drake Tucker and Ethan Seagren (projections.) Fred Drenkow stage manages.

For more information, go to http://carsonschool.unl.edu.