Ga. theater troupe plans to retake the stage months after 3 members gunned down by professor

Troupe to retake stage after slayings by professor

ATHENS, Ga. — A community theater group is taking the stage at an Athens, Ga., theater for the first time since a University of Georgia professor gunned down three of its members outside the building.

On Friday night the troupe plans to stage the show that had just been cast when the shootings occurred.

Town & Gown Players president Eric Wagoner, who replaced one of the slain members as leader of the group, said the performers feel the need to “reclaim” the theater.

The troupe was having a reunion at the theater just off campus in April when marketing professor George Zinkhan opened fire on several people gathered around benches outside.

Killed were his wife, a man she was apparently seeing and a third troupe member. Zinkhan was later found dead.