By JASMINE BOWEN, Student Reporter
Northwestern’s Fine Arts Department will host its annual fall children’s play starting Thursday in the Herod Hall auditorium.
The theater program will present “Gretchen and the Grudge,” written by Edith Weiss.
Starting Thursday and Friday, the cast and crew will present four productions for children from grade schools located within the Alva area.
Approximately 1,620 children will attend, making all of the performances sold out.
Director Kimberly Weast said the play will involve silly characters wearing bright colors.
The play will also be open to the public Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. General admission costs $2.
The production of “Gretchen and the Grudge’’ involves 25 Northwestern students, who make up the cast and crew.
Lisa Turner, a sophomore speech and theater major from Alva, will play the character Janelle.
Turner said she wanted to be a part of the production because she loves every aspect of theater, and she enjoys being involved with setting up productions. She also said the audience will be full of humor.
“I think students should definitely come out,” Tuner said. “It’s going to be a blast. It is short, but I feel like it’s full of laughter and full of very fun entertainment that people are going to like.”
The production runtime is about 45-50 minutes. Weast said she always has to choose a show that allows students to come to a play and be back at their schools so they can catch the bus home.
“Gretchen and the Grudge” is a part of the final for the theater program’s Acting 1 class. Weast said part of the reason why this children’s production is good for students is because it gives them an opportunity to perform in front of a large crowd, and it allows acting students to gain valuable experience.
“Having the energy and feedback acquires students to grow and get out of their comfort zone,” Weast said.
Freshman Jack Mahoney, a vocal music education major from Enid, plays the lead role Gretch, which is the gender-swap role of Gretchen.
The publisher gave permission for the production to switch genders of the main character. Mahoney said his character is a violinist, yet also holds a grudge. He said his character involves things that all people have a little bit of within themselves.
Mahoney said he feels more attuned with his character because he plays the violin himself.
“I’ve been playing the violin for eight years, and it’s been very fun,” Mahoney said. “This is one of the first times that I’ve ever gotten to show my skills on the violin solo-wise.
“I’ve been able to play with choirs and big orchestras, but never anything by myself. I think that’s the most fun part about it for me, but honestly, I’ve never really done a play before. It’s a new experience for me, and I like new experiences.”
Mahoney said “Gretchen and the Grudge” talks about mental health and teaches children not to hold a grudge.
Performances for school children will be Thursday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and Friday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
