The JP Stevens Theatre Company, organized by lead director Ms. Kathleen Troy, performed “Our Town” from October 27 to October 29, stunning their audiences each night. The cast mimed most of their actions and props along with utilizing a minimal set. They used it to their advantage along with the “Foley Corner,” which created real-time sound effects during the play. These aspects made the play attract audiences and sell a plethora of tickets. The revenue earned is going back into the Theatre Company’s funding, to fund future productions. 

“Our Town” is a play based on the small fictional town of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire between 1899 and 1911. It follows the normal lives of its residents, focusing on two families: the Gibbs and the Webbs. The main message of the play is to showcase how life is often lived without appreciation for it. Each act revolved around a different theme, with Act 1 about daily life, Act 2 about love and marriage, and Act 3 about death and eternity. In addition, Act 3 was the most philosophical act, and really explored the message and the aspect of life itself. 

Senior Reva Bhalerao, who played the character of Emily Webb, dazzled audiences with her portrayal of a young girl and her many emotions. Her onstage companion, senior Ishan Chitale, who played the character of George Gibbs, complimented her with his very successful showcase of the innocence and sensitivity of a young boy. The performances of sophomore Lev Bitterman, junior Cadence Andrade, and senior Ashley Huang, the stage managers for the play, resonated with each respective act and its theme. The Gibbs and Webbs families also mimicked life during the time period well, and showcased the small and connected nature of the town. Junior Zariel Milshtein and senior Kaylee Reria embraced the bond between housewives and really revealed the dedication and loyalty of the occupation. Senior Nishanth Bhargava, junior Raghav Mauthur, freshman Aiman Shaik, freshman Shreya Sathish, and the rest of the supporting cast really added to the nature and amusement of the town itself. 

The cast and crew worked tirelessly over the span of just six weeks in order to plan and rehearse the show with the guidance of their director, Ms. Troy, and her first-ever student director, senior Charlotte Tillery. Ms. Troy is a significant figure in the Theater Company, helping organize and coordinate all the parts that are involved with the process of creating a successful show. She has a great influence on those who are a part of the Theater Company as she constantly assists and encourages students in their creative endeavors.

“I think that the play went very well and I think all of our hours of hard work definitely paid off,” junior Cadence Andrade said. “I am so very grateful to be part of this production, and I love this cast and this crew. And I can’t wait to hopefully see everyone again for the next play.” 

The production of the play “Our Town” was stunning and was furthered by the cast and crew. They worked very hard to make life within the town of Grover’s Corners seem realistic and charming. Along with dedicating countless afternoons to rehearsals, the cast and crew also spent several Saturdays working to organize everything for the play. They also had their technical week, which entitled them to rehearse from 2:40 pm to 9 pm every day. Overall, the dedication of the cast and crew, along with their directors, resulted in a booming presentation of  “Our Town.”