Ditching elaborate props and glamorous production sets, Woodland Theater took a different approach to the dramatic for their spring performance. Sitting on stage were two massive wooden structures, connected only by a large old time clock. Audience members could only imagine what they were in for as the Stage Manager (John Ridge) trolled onto the stage and the presentation of Our Town began.
Set in a small New Hampshire town called Grover’s Corners, Our Town, written by Thorton Wilder in 1938, peers into the lives of the town’s average citizens as they rocket through the major facets of life: childhood, marriage and death. It’s a riveting, albeit barebones, exploration of the sanctity of life and, while written 78 years ago, many themes still are applicable today.
Performed with few props, Our Town relies on the audience using their imagination to fill in scenery based on the Stage Manager’s narrations and explanations of people and the town layout itself.
Senior Sarah McVeigh (Mrs. Gibbs) was a bit mortified when she found out there were minimal props since she feared the audience would not be understand the message of the play without these visuals.
“This show is about life and afterlife and what’s beautiful,” said Mcveigh. “[The play] shows that you don’t need a showy set or props to understand the meaning.”
McVeigh also credited director Susan Cinoman for her devotion to working with the actors in developing their characters, even if they were not playing a lead role. Cinoman had each cast member write a biography about their character to allow them to fully understand the purpose of their character.
“It really helped to make the show full because everyone on stage discovered who they were and what their purpose was,” said McVeigh. “It made the town come alive.”
And finding that connection with the characters helped not only Woodland stage veterans like McVeigh, but also relative newcomers, like Tina Vlamis who was tackling her first lead role as Emily Webb.
“I was really nervous leading up to the show,” said Vlamis. “Emily was my first lead, as well as a beautifully written role, and I wanted to do it justice.”
Vlamis noted that the guidance of the upperclassmen and the bond within the cast was a driving force in the success of this show.
“We were definitely on a time crunch, but everyone was so dedicated to the show that we were able to make our rehearsals count,” said Vlamis.
Vlamis notes that much of the cast’s happy dynamic was influenced by the seniors; but she is excited to see the talent that the incoming freshman have to offer.
Though the senior class will be missed by the drama department next year, the group is looking forward to working on new productions.
“I’m so excited to meet the new freshmen and see what they’re like,” said Vlamis. “It’s so sad to lose the seniors, but the silver lining of it is that we get another new grade to meet and bond with.”
