The Fairmont State University Department of Humanities and the Masquers student theatre organization will present Us and Them on Tuesday, March 22 at 12:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Wallman Hall Theatre on campus, with free admission for both showings.
Us and Them is a short play appropriate for adults and children as young as the age of seven, written by David Campton and directed by Francene Kirk. In this humorous, timely story two groups of wanderers decide to live on the same plot of land and build a wall to keep the peace. Mayhem ensues as suspicions grow, “I wonder what they’re doing over there?”
The play will be followed by a guest appearance by Trey Kay, West Virginia native and the host of the Us and Them podcast heard on National Public Radio.
“We are thrilled to have Trey Kay join us for a discussion after our March 22 performance,” Kirk said. “Trey was born in Fairmont, and his mother is a Fairmont State graduate. His podcast is important to the national conversation about polarizing topics.”
The cast includes Rosemary Velazquez from Fairmont, Alexia Poling from West Union, Abigail Peckens from St. Marys, Frankie Satterfield from Clarksburg, Hannah Hudson from St. Marys, Abbagale Richards from Fairmont, Johnathan Richards from Fairmont, Madelyn Moore from Georgetown, Delaware and Richard Williams from Buckhannon. The stage manager is Catherine Gray from Bridgeport, and the technical director is Troy Snyder. The students in Snyder’s honors theatre appreciation course have designed the costumes.
“We are very much looking forward to these upcoming performances on campus,” said Fairmont State University President, Mirta M. Martin. “It’s so great that we can, once again, gather as a community to enjoy live performances. Us and Them promises to be fun yet thought-provoking entertainment for the whole family. I hope everyone can join us for a truly entertaining performance, and celebrate the talent and passion displayed by our students, faculty and community participants.”
In addition to the performances on March 22, the cast will be performing the play in Marion County schools on Wednesday, March 23 and Thursday, March 24.
“The students are really excited about performing this play for school students. The story speaks to what happens when people focus on their differences instead of their similarities,” Kirk added.
The Masquers student theatre organization is open to all Fairmont State University students.
