BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — The Department of Theatre and Dance at West Virginia Wesleyan College will be presenting the play Jane Eyre as part of its Spring 2019 season. 

Written by Willis Hall, the play first premiered in 1992 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in England. Hall constructed a nearly complete adaptation of the classic romance novel, filled with compelling drama and emotional force. 

“Orphaned at a very young age, raised in a home devoid of love, outspoken Jane meets her match when she is employed as a tutor for the ward of the wealthy and enigmatic Rochester. A love story full of gothic charm, secrets, ghosts, and happy endings, this is a classic period piece based on the best-selling 1847 novel by Charlotte Bronte,” said Gregory Mach, Director of Jane Eyre. 

The story follows Jane as she grows up, including her miserable childhood, working as a governess, and falling in love with Mr. Rochester. 

The theatre department is working with guest Costumer Ruth Humphrey, a former theatre professor at Davis & Elkins College of Elkins.  Ruth is working with student Costume Assistants Jessie Zito of Baltimore County, Md. and Brandon Ulrich of Roanoke, Va. to costume Jane Eyre. 

The Stage Manager of this productionis Caitlin May of Arthurdale, W.Va. and her assistant is Mikayla Dahleger. Technical direction is led by Keith Saine, professor of theatre arts at WVWC.  The Sound Designer of the show is bri conley of Roanoke, Va.  Delcie McCord of Crawford, W.Va. joins as a member of the sound crew. 

Jane Eyre’s two lead characters, Rochester and Jane, are played by Aaron Harris of Anmoore, W.Va. and Taylor Pugh of Glen Jean, W.Va., respectively.  The remaining cast includes Wesleyan students Luke White of Weston, W.Va.; Julian Marshall of Wheeling, W.Va.; Savannah Teter of Girard, Ohio; Pippa McGinley of Morgantown, W.Va.; Tiara Stokes of Charleston, W.Va.; Brett Alexander Smith of Charleston, W.Va.; and Sinead Tobin of Fairmont, W.Va. 

Show dates are Feb. 21-23 at 8 p.m., with an additional Saturday matinee on Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. All shows will be performed in the Virginia Thomas Law Performing Arts Center’s Culpepper Auditorium at Wesleyan. 

Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for seniors and students, and $5 with a valid WVWC ID.