Cove theater students address racism in stage production
Special to Leader-Press
Carl, the son of a gas station owner, wants to go to college. His father, an alcoholic, doesn't support those dreams, though his mother tries to gingerly balance the father-son tug-of-war. One day a young black man seeks shelter from the rain while he waits for the bus to Jackson. Carl discovers that he shares something in common with the young man. Both have dreams they want to fulfill; both need to establish their independence and start their lives.
A poetic family drama, And the Rain Came to Mayfield by Jason Milligan, is a fictional story that the Copperas Cove High School Theatre Department will bring to life on Friday evening at Lea Ledger Auditorium in Copperas Cove for one night only at 7 p.m.
The play takes place in a small gas station/luncheonette on a Mississippi highway in 1962. The play is based on events that happened at the University of Mississippi in 1962 when James Meredith, the first black student admitted to the school, started classes. The CCHS Theater Department will present its UIL One-Act-Play at the district contest with the hopes of advancing again to the state contest this year under the direction of theater teacher Molli Maberry.
“I chose this play because I knew my students could handle the mature subject matter. I am always looking for material that is relevant to their lives as well as challenging” Maberry. “This play is a piece of Americana. I know the students have an emotional tie to it and I’m hoping that our audiences will as well.”
The cast of six juniors and seniors has been rehearsing since January. Kaylyn Kirkpatrick plays the role of Emma.
“It was exciting for me to have the opportunity to play a mother. I’ve been studying my mom without her realizing it, trying to pick up on her traits and it’s been a very cool experience overall,” Kirkpatrick said. “I am most looking forward to the chance to share a production that contains social commentary regarding family relationships and racism in the sixties. After all, it’s important to learn from our past as a nation.”
Abbie Garrett has worked as a stage manager on countless productions. She really enjoyed working with such a small cast.
“It makes my job of keeping everyone focused easier, which makes more time for working on the problem areas of the production,” Garrett said. “It’s made the whole experience more intimate than any other show I’ve been a part of.”
CCHS will be competing against 6 other area schools at the district UIL meet on March 25th at Harker Heights High School. In 2015, CCHS’ one-act play advance to the state contest wining best actress, best supporting actor and best lighting awards at the district contest.
If you go…
WHAT: The CCHS Theater Department presents “And the Rain Came to Mayfield” by Jason Milligan, a one-act family drama revolves around fulfilling college dreams while dealing with racism in the 1960’s
WHEN: Friday, March 11, 2016, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Lea Ledger Auditorium, 400 S. 25th Street, Copperas Cove
COST: $3 for students, $5 for adults or free admission with a donation of a bag of pet food for the local animal shelter