This gripping, heartfelt drama set in the early 1970s portrays the story of an innkeeper who quietly offers refuge to domestic violence survivors and a woman who arrives and turns the household upside down. The powerful play offers tribute to quiet revolutionaries and commends the courage of those in this struggle.
“When We Were Young & Unafraid” is directed by Leah Turley, professor of Theatre Performance, with a cast featuring Eliza Aulick as Mary Anne, Harper Aulick as Agnes, Bailey Dore as Penny, George Kinley as Paul, and Hailey Deslich as Hannah.
The production also is assisted by several students who have taken on high-profile creative endeavors: Briar Conley for hair and make-up design, Landon Medford as properties designer, Thaddeus Stambaugh, for original sound design, Simone Coutasse, the stage manager, and Sam McElwain, is assistant director.
“This production signifies the beginning of Second Wave Feminism, which included women of color and issues of domestic violence and sexual assault,” Turley said. “Treem’s play gives valuable insight concerning the plight of womanhood, including issues that we’re still facing today. Like all good plays, When We Were Young & Unafraid offers no tangible or practical solutions to these issues but asks the audience to form their own thoughts and opinions about the predicament of its characters.”
The production is rated R for coarse language and depictions of domestic violence, sexual situations and sexual assault.
Tickets are available at the door or by calling 304-696-ARTS. Cost is $5 for students, $22 for general admission, and $15 for seniors and Marshall employees. The Oct. 1 performance is free to Marshall students with a Marshall student ID.
Season tickets are available for purchase as well. The School of Theatre & Dance will also be presenting Steve Martin’s “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” in November, “Acts of
Love: An Evening of Love Stories” in February, and Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” in April.