THE FOLLOWING IS A DANVILLE AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE RELEASE
(ABOVE) To Kill a Mockingbird cast members during recent DACC Board of Trustees meeting
Live Theater Returns to DACC October 20-22
DANVILLE – Danville Area Community College’s Jaguar Players will perform the play To Kill a Mockingbird at the school’s Bremer Theatre on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 20, 21, and 22. Show times are 7:00 PM Friday and Saturday, with a matinee at 2:00 PM on Sunday. Tickets are $20 for regular admission and $10 for retirees and students.
The stage production is based on the classic novel by Harper Lee and has not been performed in the Danville area for years. With To Kill a Mockingbird, DACC is bringing back community theatre to the college after a four year absence. The show is being done at the state-of-the-art Bremer Theatre, located on campus.
The show is directed by long time community theatre actor and director Angie Mansfield.
“I’m thrilled to be able to help bring community theatre back to DACC with this classic play,” said Mansfield. “If you’ve read the book or seen the movie, you know the impact this powerful play has on people, young and old. The message it brings is just as relevant today as the day it was written.”
When the Players chose this play, there was an in-depth discussion with the cast about the challenges involved with producing this work. The themes and content involved in the production can be very difficult for both actors and audience. DACC Provost, Dr. Carl Bridges, addressed the “very raw portrayal of a challenging time in U.S. history.”
“I have had several internal and external constituents contact me concerning the “rawness” of this work – specifically the use of the n-word….We have decided to reduce the number of times the n-word is used in the production. There are critical moments in the play where it is necessary to use the word to make a very important point and to preserve the continuity of the story. So, I do warn those attending that the word will be used, but not as frequently as written.”
“We will also begin each performance with an opening remark about the language and “rawness” of the play, and close each performance with an open discussion about the play with the cast. My hope is that the opening statement and ending conversation will help to entertain, to encourage, to enlighten, and to challenge.”
For those who have read the book, the hope is that you’ll come see the play and add your thoughts to the post-show discussion. For those who haven’t read the book, the hope is that the audience will keep and open mind and be willing to learn from and contribute to the discussion.
Tickets are available online or at the door. Online ticket sales can be located at www.DanvilleJaguars.com, click on Jaguar Box Office, and then scroll down to the performance you wish to attend.
For more information, contact Director Angie Mansfield at a.mansfield@dacc.edu or 217.443.8737.
Danville Area Community College is a comprehensive community college serving Illinois District 507, which consists of Vermilion County and parts of Champaign, Iroquois, Edgar, and Ford counties. DACC’s main campus is located at 2000 East Main Street, Danville. The College has a higher-learning center in Hoopeston at 847 E. Orange. To apply to DACC, call 217-443-3222 or visit the Web site at www.DACC.EDU.
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