A Jane Eyre student production and a talk

A new student production of Robert Johanson's theatre adaptation of Jane Eyre opens today, February 6, in Wilson, North Carolina:
(Picture Source and Photo Gallery, Ann Brna)

Jane Eyre
Written by Charlotte Bronte
Adapted for the stage by Robert Johanson
February 6 - 7 at 7:30pm February 8 at 2:00pm
Barton College Chapel

Winter is the perfect time to curl up with a cup of hot tea or chocolate and read a good book. Well, we can’t do quite that for you, but our ACT! for Youth Kids are doing their best to simulate that for you by dramatizing their version of Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre”. This magnificent Gothic love story is set in England in the early 1800’s. It opens with an adult Jane visiting the burned out ruins of her childhood home, where she then recounts for the audience many of the troubled times of her childhood and youth. She was an orphan who was mistreated by her relatives and sent away to a horrid school for girls where she met her first dear friend. Through many difficult circumstances, Jane develops a strong, honest, courageous character which makes her one of the most well-loved heroines of all time.

Cast: Lillian "Lily" Abells, Caitlyn Barnes, Katie Best, Victoria Bissette, Aubrey Bowen, John Bowen, Jamie Byrum, Abi El Ramey, Wallace Exum, Elizabeth Groce, Alyssa Handley, Cassie Helms, Kenny Hertling, Chris Howard, Develle Hunter, Blair Kite, Nathan Knoll, Samantha Larkin, Shannon Larkin, Lindsey Lewis, Rachel Martin, Abby Martin, Anthony Matrejek, Danielle Matrejek, Carolyn McCarthy, Gabby McHarg, Dawson Claire McHarg, Duncan McHarg, Carlynn Mercer, Lillie Moulton, Maryanna Newton, Katelyn Nida, Hailey Norville, Miriam Oates, Anna Oates, Lauren Parrish, Jill Paul Sara Perez-Navarro, Katie Peterson, Talen Piner, Sofia Popowitch, Anderson Pridgen, Hannah Slaughter, Maggie Slaughter, Jasmine Smith, Andrea Vaughan, Katelyn Ward, Rachel Whalen, Joseph Speight.

Crew: Katy Bowen, Leacy Bowen, Dana Byrum, Olivia Exum, Carter Helms, Thomas Helms, Josiah Knoll, Gray Leary, Thomas Matrejek, Skylar Norville, Andie Shealy, Mackenzie Stancil, Morgan Stancil, Lilian Thorne.

More information in The Wilson Times:

The plot of the play is darker than that of many ACT! for Youth endeavors, and is unapologetically a drama.
Throughout the course of the production, the adult Jane Eyre recalls her childhood as an orphan raised by unloving relatives, the early death of her childhood friend, and her education at the ominous Lowood School. These trials, however, shaped Jane's character and made her the perfect partner for her employer, and later husband, Mr. Rochester.
According to cast member Maggie Slaughter, who plays Jane's long-lost cousin, the experience of acting in "Charlotte's Web," which features a lighter plot, and "Jane Eyre" is extremely different.
"It's a whole different world," Maggie said. "Of course, there are no songs, and the atmosphere and the actors are different. A whole different set of people do dramas and musicals."
Not only do the actors vary depending on the seriousness of the production, the challenges that crop up vary from that of a comic performance as well.
"It's challenging and demanding, but in a good way," said John Bowen, who plays Mr. Rochester. "(I enjoy) being able to show the transition of (Mr. Rochester) from the beginning to the end. As a character, he begins to realize he doesn't have to be so defensive."
Elizabeth Groce, who plays the lead role of Jane, said this role is different than others she has played.
"It's different because I'm used to playing bouncy characters that always have a smile on their face," Elizabeth said. "This is a real drama. I'm having to portray feelings of a very mature character that I've never personally felt myself."
Elizabeth relishes the challenge, however.
"I knew this was a great story, and a very demanding character I could dive into," she said.
Fike senior Joseph Speight said that playing Mr. Brocklehurst, the stern headmaster at Lowood School, is a change from his character in "Pride and Prejudice."
"I played a (character with) bubbly, head-over-heels puppy love, and now I'm playing a hard-faced headmaster," Joseph said. "I'm playing someone who's not like my personality."
Joseph's favorite scene of the production reflects that deviation from his personality and the character that he portrays on stage.
His favorite part is "so far, my first encounter with Young Jane," Joseph said. "She's so cute, and I have to be so mean; it's hard."
For some, the logistics of the production have been daunting.
"The most challenging part is the language," said Wallace Exum, a sophomore at Beddingfield who plays St. John in the production. "When we rehearse lines I keep adding words."
Forest Hills student Katie Peterson, who plays Miss Scatcherd, notes that movement itself in the play can be a challenge.
"Back in the 1800s all women had to wear heels, and I had to learn how to walk in heels," Katie said. "I've found a balance."
John enjoys having a metaphorical balance in the characters that he plays.
"I like to play (someone with) a darker side, but that's inherently good," he said.
And that good ultimately does come out in John's favorite scene of the production.
"'Then let your will decide your destiny. I offer you my hand, my heart and a share of all I possess.' This is really exposing (Mr. Rochester's) true feelings, which is hard for him," John said.
Despite the challenges of playing the complex protagonist of the play, Jane Eyre, Elizabeth said the production has been a positive experience.
"Overall it's been very interesting," she said, "and I've loved learning about this character and how she reacts to situations and life." (Caroline Dolman)

And one more alert for today:

Jefferson-Madison Literary Library
Gordon Avenue Library
Charlottesville, VA

The Literary Masterpiece Book Group
WUTHERING HEIGHTS by Emily Brontë
February 06, 2009 / 10:00 am

Categories: Alert, Jane Eyre, Theatre, Wuthering Heights