See and Celebrate “Our Town” at EMS

The Eastern Mennonite School Theater Department welcomes the public to its production of Our Town, by Thornton Wilder, October 28 and 29 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, October 30 at 3 p.m. The show features high school actors (list below), as well as Thaddeus Jackson, class of ’20, in the role of Stage Manager, and EMS parent Jeremy Clark as Constable Warren.

The play tells the story of the fictional American small town of Grover’s Corners between 1901 and 1913 through the everyday lives of its citizens. “The play is about life in a small town, about people and the arc of the lives they lead,” says Mark Gornto, director. “Our production focuses on the value of relationships and community,”

In an effort to make “our production feel like our own,” says Gornto, “we will feature student photography, and artwork in elements of the production.”

The poster artwork for the play is from the mural “Of the Valley,” designed and painted by Rachel Holderman in collaboration with 2022 EMU New Student Orientation and incoming students. Read more here.

Gornto invites local artists to show their work in the auditorium foyer as part of the show. He also invites businesses to bring literature and other materials to add to lobby displays to showcase the diverse and vibrant life that “makes our town unique.” Contact him at gorntom@easternmennonite.org

Tickets
The show will be held in the school’s auditorium at 801 Parkwood Drive, Harrisonburg. Doors open 30 minutes before show time, October 28 and 29 at 7 .m. and Sunday, October 30 at 3 p.m.

Tickets are general admission (no reserved seating) and can be purchased before the show, or at the door. Adult cost is $10. Student and senior citizen price is $7. Purchase tickets here or phone 540-236-6025.

The Cast

Stage Manager – Thaddeus Jackson ‘20
Emily Webb – Eleanor Albers ’25
George Gibbs – Emily Hess ’23
Ms. Gibbs – Marissa Clark ’23
Dr. Gibbs – Mac Lehman ’24
Rebecca Gibbs – Samara Katz ’26
Editor Webb – Naomi Diener ’23
Ms. Webb – Sophie Hendricks ’24
Wally Webb – Ella Ott ’27
Ms. Soames – Eleanor Yoder ’25
Lewis Yoder ’26
Simon Stimson – Ethan Petit ’23
Joe Stoddard – Carson Cale ’24
Sam Craig – Chloe Thornton ’27
Constable Warren – Jeremy Clark, parent
Howie Newsome – Jackson Comfort ’26
Joe Crowell / Si Crowell- Colton Nussbaum ’27
Townspeople, woman in balcony, et al – The Cast

The show is produced by Eastern Mennonite School with arrangements through Concord Theatricals.