Want a way to support your peers and school and enjoy an evening of good old-fashioned theatre? Look no further than Davie Players! This year, they are presenting not one but two plays and will perform a Christmas play later on in the year. Tickets will be $5 at the door on November 3rd, 4th, and 5th, and each show starts at 7. The two different performances that will be put on are Our Place, written by North Carolinian teacher Terry Gabbard, and The Drowning Girls, written by Beth Graham, Charlie Tomlinson, and Daniela Vlaskalic.
About The Productions
Our Place is a riveting story that takes place on a quaint little dock. It consists of a number of different scenes and an epilogue, working together to encapsulate the true meaning of the play, which is revealed at its conclusion. As a truly heartwarming story, this show will allow for the audience to feel a wide range of emotions, from humor to heartbreak to love. The cast is made up of 14 different actors and actresses who have worked hard to bring this to its full potential and who are very excited to perform!
A haunting tale full of marriage, misogyny, and murder, The Drowning Girls is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The Drowning Girls features a cast of three and each of the girls in this production has worked their hardest to create an absolutely thrilling show for the audience. They are also very excited to put on their show and will do so immediately following the performance of Our Place on November 3rd, 4th, and 5th.
The full cast list will be available in the programs handed out the nights of the performances along with a more detailed description of the play’s synopses.
Student Directing
Not only are the Davie Players students presenting two plays this year, but Our Place is also student-directed by Sev Davis. Davis has been spectacular, and her peers and the actors under her direction are so thankful for her hard work and contributions. The Weekly Talon had the opportunity to sit down and have an interview with Davis and how she feels about the whole situation.
Do you enjoy being a director?
“I do! I really enjoy directing this play because it’s something that is a little easier and gives me the basics of directing and I love working with Edwards.”
How is working with Mr. Edwards?
“He really makes me feel like I am the one directing and it makes me very happy because I feel like most people wouldn’t have given me enough trust for something this big.”
What has been your favorite part so far?
“I like having the freedom and the choices I am allowed to make and feeling like I have control to make my own play, it’s so different from being a freshman and not knowing anything and now being a senior it’s very rewarding and I feel very accomplished knowing that I am able to have this play and direct it and take it to a festival.”
How long have you been a part of theater, and is theater something you plan to pursue?
“Edwards came my sophomore year and freshman year was just the basics of theater. At first, I helped with stage directing and building, and then I was asked to be a stage manager for past musicals and plays that were held at Davie last year. At first, it was just a suggestion for me to direct a play and he said and I was so excited, Edwards has made me feel so confident when it comes to directing. I would love to pursue theater and I would love to be an actor or even a director. I do possibly want to go to college and get a theater degree.”
Anything else you would like to add?
“For any freshman or people wanting to pursue something that feels impossible, it’s not. It really just takes someone to help you along the way and having the motivation to do it, which can be hard at times but if I did it so can you!”
The Director’s Seat
Weekly Talon was also able to interview Chade Edwards, theater teacher and the director of The Drowning Girls.
Do you enjoy teaching Davie Players?
“I enjoy teaching Davie Players because I enjoy watching people grow and I love giving students the opportunity to participate in theater as part of a production.”
How long have you been directing plays?
“I’ve directed shows since I’ve been in college.”
What’s your favorite part of directing high school students?
“Watching them grow and make discoveries throughout the process.”
What has been your favorite part of this production?
“I like having a student director who is working on another production at the same time and all of the different personalities within this group.”
Any further comments?
“These are really challenging shows and I’m really proud of the work that everyone is putting into them.”
Stage Management
The stage manager for both plays is Leon Dunn, who has worked tirelessly to put the technical aspects of the show together. By working with Edwards and Davis, Dunn has helped take the depth of the shows to a whole new level. Both casts would like to thank Leon for all of this hard work.
Senior Section
This year, there are a handful of seniors who are involved in both productions. A special thank you and congratulations go to Reagan Anderson, Kienan Beasley, Sev Davis, Leon Dunn, Jess Ponteriero, and Maycee Wiles for their participation and efforts in the Davie Players program. While these individuals will be missed greatly by their co-actors and actresses, the class wishes to commend them on all their great work in the theater throughout their high school years and wish them luck in their future.
As previously mentioned, the Davie Players will perform on November 3-5 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door for $5 apiece, and all profits will go towards the theater program. Please come and attend the performances and support your fellow students; they are very excited to show off all of their hard work and passions to their peers, friends, and family, and they hope to see you there!
