NGU theatre department prepares to perform Pilgrim’s Progress
Posted by The Skyliner on February 10th, 2010Hannah Reynolds
Staff Writer
Jamie Costa, freshman outdoor leadership, Lindsay Furrow, sophomore theatre performance, Thomas Sieberhagen, freshman, Zac Deuerling, senior theatre history/pedagogy, and Nathan Baker, junior theatre performance, rehearse the first scene of Pilgrim’s Progress just a few weeks before the production. (Photo by Hannah Reynolds)
Director David Schneider hopes that Pilgrim’s Progress will “remind the audience of the dangers, joys and the awesome things they can experience on the Christian journey.”
Tom Key’s adaptation of John Bunyan’s original 17th-century play is “more lighthearted” than the original work, according to Schneider.
The North Greenville University cast will perform Pilgrim’s Progress in Turner Chapel at 7:30 p.m. on February 26 and 27. Fortunately for those students who need some cultural events, Pilgrim’s Progress does count for CEVT credit.
Many people are familiar with Bunyan’s original allegory of the Christian journey. It is centered around the character Pilgrim, played by freshman theatre and mathematics major Will Daniel.
The rest of the characters are portrayed by the six remaining cast members in an ensemble style. The ensemble members include Nathan Baker, junior theatre performance, Lindsay Furrow, sophomore theatre performance, Thomas Sieberhagen, freshman, Addi Musen¸ freshman theatre performance, Jessica Berryhill, freshman psychology, and Jamie Costa, freshman outdoor leadership.
While this adaptation maintains the feeling of danger within the original, Schneider enjoys its more lighthearted, celebratory nature. Above all, Schneider notes two main points that he hopes the play will convey to the audience. First, he wants audience members to be reminded that, as Christians, they have family on the journey. Schneider feels that the ensemble nature of the play has helped the cast develop a close camaraderie which is evident throughout the play. He wants the audience to be engaged in the production, as though they are a part of the journey and are traveling beside Pilgrim. Schneider also hopes that the audience will be encouraged by the theme of victory in Christ. Although Pilgrim’s journey through life is difficult, he eventually overcomes all things because of the power of Christ.
Schneider hopes that each member of the audience is in some way encouraged after watching the production, “strengthened for their journey, whatever it may be.” Although the topic of the play—Christian living—is a serious one, Schneider expects that the audience will have fun as they experience the production. Schneider and the cast invite the audience to be a part of the journey.
Tags: Spring 2010, Vol. 110 - Issue 3