Food Drive Held in Conjunction with Theater Production
Elkins – The Davis & Elkins College Division of Fine and Performing Arts began its theatre season with a moving production that depicts what it means to grow up, grow wise and take control of your own destiny. “The Giver,” adapted by Eric Coble from the Newbery Award-winning book by Lois Lowry, was presented recently at the Boiler House Theatre.
In conjunction with Catholic Charities West Virginia, D&E’s Division of Fine and Performing Arts conducted a Give Back at “The Giver” Food Drive during the run on the production. Beginning one hour prior to each performance, personal hygiene and non-perishable food items were collected in the Boiler House Theatre’s lobby.
“It is a way we can honor our community and it’s an opportunity for us to give back in a tangible way,” said Ruth Humphrey, instructor of theatre, who serves as costume designer for the production.
The haunting story of “The Giver” centers around 11-year-old Jonas, who lives in a futuristic society where there is no pain, fear, war or hatred. There are also no choices. When Jonas turns 12, he is chosen for special training from The Giver — to receive and keep the memories of the community, including memories of real pain and real joy. Now Jonas will learn the truth about life — and about the hypocrisy of his utopian world.
The theme and messages presented in the play inspired Humphrey to suggest that a food drive could be conducted in conjunction with the performances.
“We’ve spent the past few months in planning and rehearsals, discussing what it means to each of us to have access and to have options as contributing member of a community,” said kb saine, threatre program director, who directed the play. “When Ruth suggested that we find a way to give to others while we explore the gifts The Giver gives to Jonas, I was so grateful to her for giving us the additional means of strengthening the connections between D&E’s artists and the Elkins community. Lisa Wood (D&E’s first lady) and the people with Catholic Charities have been wonderful partners.”
Portraying The Giver was Joshua Thompson, a junior from Parsons, W.Va., while Jonas was played by senior Jacob Currence of Beverly, W.Va. Additional members of the cast were Father, Eric Gordon, a sophomore from Bristow, Va.; Mother, Katie Varchetto, a junior from Elkins; Lily, Adalia La-Ree, a senior from Copper Harbor, Mich.; Asher, Brandon Ulrich, a sophomore from Roanoke, Va.; Fiona, Megan Tuley, a freshman from Vienna, W.Va.; Chief Elder, Cindy Jackson, a professional actress from Pittsburgh, Pa.; Chief Elder’s Assistant, Rachel White, a senior from Thomas, W.Va.; Rosemary, Isabella Hutchinson, a freshman from Welch, W.Va.; Madeline, Megan Walters, a junior from Orient Hill, W.Va.; Inger, Megan Huffnagel, a freshman from Elkins; Issac, Maddie Lessner, a freshman from Waldorf, Md.; and Community Members, Shirley Fox, a junior from Elkins; Kyle Humphrey, a freshman from Webster Springs, W.Va.; and Cassandra Myers, a freshman from Clarksburg, W.Va.
Members of the crew were scenic designer, Nathan Elsener, a freelance theater artist based in New York; lighting designer, Tonry Lathroum, who has more than 25 years of experience in lighting professional productions; sound designer and sound board operator, Bri Conley, a junior from Roanoke, Va.; makeup designer, Currence; production manager Eric Armstrong, technical director for Davis & Elkins Fine and Performing Arts; stage manager, Emmett Jaeger, a senior from Los Alamitos, Calif.; assistant stage manager, sophomore Shelby Pemberton of Monongahela, Pa.; makeup artist and dresser, Shannen McClure, a junior from Marlinton, W.Va.; props master, Victoria Kyle, a junior from Elkins; props assistants/run crew, Lessner, Walters and senior Katie Stalnaker of Beverly, W.Va.; light board operator, Denise Folley, a junior from Charlottesville, Va.; lighting crew, Jaeger, McClure and Pemberton; house manager, Matthew Wientraub, a freshman from Lewisburg, W.Va.; and assistant house manager, Jamie Perrine, a sophomore from Rock Cave, W.Va.
The Davis & Elkins College Theatre Program offers courses in theatre and theatre production designed to provide students with knowledge of and experience in an art form which has played a key role in cultural history and contemporary society. Three options are available to students working toward a Bachelor of Arts degree: Theatre Arts, Design & Technical Theatre or Theatre Education. The Theatre Arts program prepares and presents three main stage productions and three to five student-directed studio productions every year.