The Attic Theatre will return to the Historic Elwood Opera House for the production of the classic story “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
Elwood resident Bill Smith, will be directing the play’s four performances on April 11 to 13, and several Hamilton County residents, including Rob Blair (Atticus Finch), Joshua J. Dekker (Bob Ewell), Jennifer Luczywo (Maudie Atkinson), Blair Henson (Boo Radley), Ian Hauer (Horace Gilmer), Simon Wood (Dill Harris), Eric Bowman (Heck Tate), Tanzania Hampton (Calpurnia) and Audrey Caron (Mayella Ewell) make up nearly half the cast of the play.
The production is being made possible by the support of the Indiana Arts Commission, the Community Foundation of Randolph County and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. The Attic Theatre troupe is based in Indianapolis, but found out last summer the IAC was interested in participating in staging this play in Elwood.
In The Attic Theatre’s grant proposal, the organization suggested that staging “To Kill a Mockingbird” in Elwood might have a positive influence on a community that, despite notable progress, has been historically characterized as racially insensitive, according to a press release. Community and educational outreaches that have included some of our actors and crew, as well as an associated art show, spoken word/poetry contest, and online survey are some of the various ways the organization is seeking to engage local residents.
“Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ continues to inspire readers and should be the main source of how to interpret any adaptation, whether it be stage or screen,” Director Bill Smith said. “We know theater lovers in Elwood and surrounding communities will be greatly impacted by this timeless story on the importance of judging people by their character and not discriminating on the basis of any outward or perceived differences.”
Many Attic Theatre favorites also are returning to the Opera House stage for this production: Madison Oetjen as Jean Louise, Cameron Mayhill as Judge Taylor, Lori Oetjen as Mrs. Dubose and Mark Hawkins as Nathan Radley. Newcomers include Raphael Starr as Tom Robinson, Haley Dick as Stephanie Crawford, Jayla Thompson as Helen Robinson, Angela Oetjen as Scout, Isaiah Oetjen as Jem, Simon Wood as Dill, Rev. William Watson as Rev. Sykes and Eric Herendeen as Walter Cunningham.
For tickets, theattictheatre.com/mockingbird/.
