From Feb. 26 until Feb. 29, the UNCW Art and Theater Department will present “Our Town,” a theatrical production written by Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and playwright Thornton Wilder. In addition to students from UNCW and local middle schools, the play will feature Pat Hingle, a 50-year acting veteran. Terry Theodore, professor and “Our Town’s” director, said, “Mr. Hingle has a tremendous reputation earned over five decades of performing as a solid character in film, stage and television. He has lived up to this reputation by always being on time, always prepared and a constant inspiration for our students.” Hingle, 79, has appeared in four Pulitzer prize winning plays in his illustrated career: “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” “J.B.,” “Strange Interlude” and “That Championship Season.” He has also appeared in numerous motion pictures including “Hang ‘Em High,” “Splendor in the Grass” and the “Batman” movies. UNCW students seem to be impressed that such an established actor is contributing to a university production. Junior Dallas Blake Saunders said, “That’s pretty cool. I haven’t seen a good play in ages.” Hingle will be sharing the stage with several UNCW students. Senior Max Darby has appeared in seven university productions while Jaclyn Hinds, a sophomore, and Beau Tinson, a junior, have graced the stage in one previous show apiece. Heather Jaynes, Adam McManamy and Emmy Devisser will all be making their UNCW theatrical debuts. Theodore, a UNCW professor of 26 years, said, “This production has been one of my biggest challenges here at UNCW and a positive challenge for the students as well.” He goes on to describe the play as “informal, intimate and compellingly human.” “Our Town,” Wilder’s most frequently performed play, will open Thursday morning at 10 a.m. with a morning show for local schools. The play will then run at 8 p.m. Thursday night through Saturday night, with the final show Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. All shows will be in Kenan Auditorium. Tickets are $2 with a student ID and $8 for the general public. For more information, call the Kenan Box office at 962-3500.