By CHS Students Nevaeh Myers and Trevor Young
Picture this: 1860s. Concord, Massachusetts. The snowy days were dreadful and long. Especially for the four March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. The country was in the brisk of the Civil war, making food sparse. Although the sisters might not have had the powerful economy they once had, family kept them stronger than ever.
Be a part of our theatre ‘family’ as Camden High School’s Drama Club presents their first performance of the year, Little Women by Kate Hamill, adapted from the Novel by Louisa May Alcott. The showtimes will be November 4th at 7:00pm, and November 5th at 2:00pm and 7:30pm. Admission is free. Be sure to mark your calendars, you don't want to miss this astounding show!
Before you come to see the show, let’s take a deep dive into what portraying these characters is really like by talking to the actors themselves. Although we aren't in the middle of a civil war, we have all faced times where family was a driving force in shaping who we are today.
We first sat down with the oldest sister, Meg. Meg March, played by Isabella Wing, is considered a homebody, and wants the picturesque life of marrying and having children of her own. Being the oldest child is a difficult role to characterize. We wondered what Isabella’s favorite part was playing this different, more mature role. Wing loved the different perspective of this character, and enjoyed the family that comes along with it. Much like the March family, CHS Drama Club holds a big emphasis on interconnectedness. We see ourselves and a family, and are always looking out for each other.
We then took a glimpse into the life of Jo March. Jo, the 2nd oldest sister played by Marley Hilliker, is a girl just trying to find her identity in a society that seems determined to change her. “It’s common for people of my generation to feel as though they don't belong, and Jo also has that feeling. I believe that Jo devotes a lot of time to fighting against societal norms regarding what a lady should be, and that subject is still very relevant today” says Hilliker. Will Jo be able to fit-into this harsh standard? Jo deals with this internalized struggle, much like our community does today.
The third sister, Beth, is played by Ryan Brown. Beth is the glue that holds the four sisters together. Family is important to Beth, just as much as family is to Ryan Brown. Not only does she love her family, she also holds her theatre ‘family’ dear to her heart. “My favorite moment [playing Beth March] is getting to act along with my best friends and ‘family’ to make this play come alive.”
Amy, the youngest of the March sisters, is played by Hailey Hicks. Amy is considered young and dramatic, but slowly matures throughout the duration of the play. When asked what it was like playing a character with such an arc in her story, Hailey said she finds it difficult, but “as Amy grows up, she is burying the snootiness deep inside her.” This shows the influence that her family has on her development throughout the adaptation, just like our families do today. Without our family by our sides, we would be “positively de-lusual!’ as Amy would say.
The Drama club as a whole is known for its close-knit family and forming bonds that last a lifetime. These sisters, along with the entirety of the cast and crew, have made a tremendous effort to involve the community in the Drama Club’s production. So from their family to yours, join them for a night of wholesome entertainment on Friday, November 4th at 7pm, Saturday, November 5th at 2pm & 7:30pm.