204SPRING ORGANIZATIONS THE THEATRE DEPARTMENT WORKED THROUGHOUT the year on shows for the Harding community. For the 2021-22 school year performances, they selected “Elf: The Musical,” “Little Women” and “Antigone,” among others. Although musicals and plays differed largely in structure, they each had their own way of reaching different areas of Harding through storytelling. “Straight plays and musicals both have a special place in my heart because they both open up a world to the audience that helps us to better see the human condition,” said senior Lydia Black, who played Mrs. March in the production of “Little Women.” An actor‘s transition from musicals in the George S. Benson Auditorium to plays in the Ulrey Performing Arts Center was a yearly practice. Before “Elf” was off the calendar, students were already auditioning and rehearsing for “Little Women,” which debuted on Dec. 9. The play followed the lives of the four March sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. Directed by assistant professor of theatre Dottie Frye, this production left the audience desiring to know the March sisters personally and longing for the story to continue. ‘Little Women’ is one of the most beautiful classics of American literature,” Black said. Following the popularity of the 2019 film, Black anticipated the audience to eagerly embrace the story and the characters in it, even though their stage rendition was more similar to the book. New to the Ulrey stage was sophomore Noelle Carpenter, who made her debut as one of the children in “Little Women.” “[I] felt an outpouring of love from the cast and director,” Carpenter said. “They’ve given me even more reasons to love theatre.” In contrast to the coming-ofage story of “Little Women,” the Greek tragedy “Antigone” took audiences to the 1940s. Director Robin Miller’s modernized version of the play made for an engaging performance for the cast and audience. “I think my favorite part of being in the show is the fact that I was given the opportunity to be, but also watching my fellow castmates grow into their roles and that we are not afraid to laugh at each other,” senior Ocean Furbee, who played Eurydice, said. After months of rehearsal, “Antigone” opened on Feb. 11, and the cast experienced firsthand the thrill of bringing a Greek tragedy to life in such an intimate setting. “I accidently made eye contact with my brother and sister-inlaw on opening night, that’s how close the audience is,” junior Jonna Fields, who played Antigone, said. “It’s very different, because I’m used to being over the top and being me but on steroids in musical theatre, but now in ‘Antigone’ I have to add nuance and three-dimensionality to the character.” “Little Women” and “Antigone” were successful and displayed the hard work that happened behind the scenes in the Theatre Department. WRITTEN BY HANNAH HACKWORTH Plays for Days Harding’s “Antigone” and “Little Women” enjoy successful runs on the stage.
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