By SALINA POST
Lillian Hellman's The Children's Hour will take the stage at Salina Central High School this weekend.
Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The production is approximately two hours and 30 minutes in length and will have two intermissions.
"Patrons should be aware that the seating in on the stage in a thrust-style staging with only 75 seats available per performance. This is a drama and not intended for young children. There will also be use of a simulated gun shot sound effect used in the production," the Central Theatre Department noted in a news release.
Tickets are on sale online and will also be available at the performances provided that the show does not sell out. Ticket prices for the production are $7 adults and $5 students, with credit service charges added to this price if using a credit card, Central Theatre noted.
“I have wanted to do this show for 39 years. I promised myself I would not attempt this piece until I had two women capable of handling the challenging lead roles. It is going to be a unique experience both for the actors and the audience,” said Director Bill Weaver, who also serves as Central High School's technical director.
About the play as provided by Central Theatre
Set in 1930s New England, The Children's Hour is one of the great successes of this distinguished writer, Lillian Hellman. A serious and adult play about two women who run a school for girls. After a malicious youngster starts a rumor about the two women, the rumor soon turns to scandal. As the young girl comes to understand the power she wields, she sticks by her story, which precipitates tragedy for the women. It is later discovered that the gossip was pure invention, but it is too late. Irreparable damage has been done.
“Being in The Children’s Hour has been one of the coolest and most unique acting experiences in all of my time acting. Theatre staged in a thrust-style seating with the audience so close is a completely different and immersive way to experience theatre. Getting to act with all of my best friends in such an intimate space has been truly amazing. You don’t want to miss this show. It’s the perfect combination of dedication, fantastic writing and tear-jerking drama,” said senior Chloe Highsmith, who plays the role of Karen.
“This production style with seating on the stage with the actors is something new and interesting that hasn’t been seen at Central in a few years. There are also many new faces on the stage in this production,” said junior Kasheia Peterson, who plays the role of Lois.
Cast and crew
Cast members include the following.
Chloe Highsmith-Karen (senior)
Harper Johnston-Martha (senior)
Camille Morris-Mrs. Mortar (senior)
Jackson Angell-Joe Cardin (senior)
Jayda Rasmussen-Mrs. Tilford (sophomore)
Alyssa Maas-Mary Tilford (sophomore)
Q Duxler-Rosalie (junior)
Michelle Simmons-Abigail (junior)
Bowie Vega-Peggy (sophomore)
Abby Ludes-Evelyn (sophomore)
Emily Melendrez-Catherine (junior)
Kasheia Peterson-Lois (junior)
Anna Kraft-Helen (freshman)
Nathan Goldbach-Grocery Boy (sophomore)
Crew and creative personnel include the following.
Director: Bill Weaver
Technical Director: Barbara Hilt
Stage Manager: Brynn Shaft (sophomore)
Assistant Stage Manager: Benjamin Campbell (junior)
Shop Foreman: Trace Horniman (senior) & Benjamin Campbell (junior)
House Manager: Cadence Lane (senior)
Assistant House Manager: Katherine White (senior)
Light Board Operator: Gabriel Freeland (freshman)
Lighting Design: Jack Angell (senior)
Lighting Crew: Kasheia Peterson (junior), Anna Kraft (freshman)
Sound Board Operator: Vy Le (senior)
Sound Assistant: Paige Hinca (senior)
Running Crew: Mars Schultz (freshman), Ellie Riekhof (freshman), Lin Miller (junior), Joseph Zepeda (junior), Wyatt Angell (freshman), Caleb Morris (sophomore), Keaton Myers (sophomore)
Hair/Makeup Crew: Riley Wedgewood (sophomore), Tara Dutcher (senior), Lin Miller (junior), Eli Green (freshman), Katherine White (senior), Paige Hinca (senior)
Projections: Alyx Parker (freshman)
Costumes: Barbara Hilt, Addilyn Jagodzinske (freshman), Imani McFadden (senior), Chelsea Lewin (senior), Anastasia Corl (sophomore)
Set Construction/ Scenic Painting: Blaise Alderson (senior), Manuel Bailey (senior), Anastasia Corl (sophomore), Lillian Crow (sophomore), Makyla Dixson (senior), Tara Dutcher (senior), Trace Horniman (senior), Cadence Lane (senior), Vy Le (senior), Chelsea Lewin (senior), Dontai Martinez (senior), Selena Maupin (senior), Imani McFadden (senior), Lin Miller (junior), Montana Morgan (sophomore), Nikolas Lochlan (sophomore), Araceli Preciado (senior), Isabell Riedel (senior), Hunter Rogers (senior), Gavin Schneider (sophomore), Kale Shafer (sophomore), Ethan Shank (junior), Bowie Vega (sophomore), Riley Wedgewood (junior), Chloe Highsmith (senior), Harper Johnston (senior), Benjamin Campbell (junior), Kasheia Peterson (junior), Caleb Morris (sophomore), Camille Morris (senior), Q Duxler (junior), Alyx Parker (freshman), Mars Schultz (freshman), Zoe Riley (freshman), Eli Green (freshman), Lillian LaMarca (freshman), Michelle Simmons (junior), Nathan Goldbach (sophomore), Wyatt Angell (freshman), Gabriel Freeland (freshman), Andrew Graber (freshman), Anna Kraft (freshman), Brynn Shaft (sophomore), Mac Sheforgen (freshman), William Ebel (junior), Jayda Rasmussen (sophomore).
Properties: Chloe Highsmith (senior), Blaise Alderson (senior), Cadence Lane (senior), Tara Dutcher (senior)
Poster/ t-shirt design: Bill Weaver
Ticket and program design: Barb Hilt