By Ethan Everson, student reporter
Since the early ‘30s, Northwestern has hosted a play for the younger students that shows them the theater and gives them a break from school.
Mickey Jordan, instructor of technical theater, explained the upcoming show, “Gretchen and the Grudge.” The play is about inner feelings. It is similar to the popular Pixar film “Inside Out” in that respect.
Gretchen, the main character, gets upset after another girl takes her sweater without asking and ruins it. Gretchen then has to learn how to overcome and forgive the girl rather than allowing Grudge, the character who portrays how Gretchen is feeling, to stick around.
The journey Gretchen goes on to get over her grudge of the ruined sweater is one that displays emotional turmoil.
The play will be a short one – only 20 minutes – and will be presented as a formal table reading of the script and will be recorded. Participants will focus on voice acting and inflection. Students, ranging from first through fifth grade, will watch the play at their respective schools.
The play is being performed this way as a cautionary measure to protect against COVID-19. The department is also considering posting the performance on YouTube if they are unable to perform the play via live stream so others can enjoy the show as well.
In the past, the Northwestern Theatre Department has hosted up to 1,200 students. Will the new COVID-19 guidelines in place, Herod Hall cannot seat that many people.
The preparation for the play is different from previous years.
“In a normal year, we would work 80 hours over the span of a week and a half,” Jordan said. “This year, due to COVID, we are limiting exposure and only meeting a few times to rehearse.”
In the ‘60s, Dr. Linda Stewart promoted NWOSU theatre as a way to show the younger generation the shows and display what theater is.
“This is the first time children get to see live theater and we go to inspire them and see if they would like to be a part of it one day,” Jordan explained.
The program is meant to show kids that theater is fun and give the kids a break from school. Jordan said school can be a lot for kids sometimes and he feels this is something the kids can look forward to and enjoy every year.
Jordan said the students who put the play together are excited when they look back at all the hard work they put into the show.
“It’s just a great feeling,” Jordan said.