To Dec. 2: ‘The Amish Project’ at Fire Hall Theatre
Forgiveness. Compassion. These are words held in high esteem, but how hard are they to put into practice? Are there acts which are unforgivable? Are there people who are unforgivable? Whose responsibility is it to forgive? And how does a community recover from tremendous tragedy?
These questions and many more are raised during the performance of The Amish Project at the Fire Hall Theater Nov. 28 – Dec. 2. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
The ensemble cast includes Nick McConnell, Katie Thora, Allison Foley, Maisy Skalicky, Ruth Pederson, Frank Sikich, and Elizabeth Larson.
The play, written by Jessica Dickey and directed by Amy Driscoll, is an intimate look at the effect tragedy has on a community. Set around the Amish school shooting in Nickel Mines, PA in 2006, this play tells the fictionalized story of the aftermath from seven different perspectives, including two school children.
On Oct. 2, 2006, Charles Carl Roberts, IV took 10 school children hostage in their Old Order Amish school house in Nickel Mines, a village in Lancaster, PA. Today, that school has been torn down and it’s a field where animals graze as three maple trees sway in the breeze above them.
In an effort to process the play with the audience, there will be two talk-backs following the performances on Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday’s talk back, “Faith and Forgiveness,” will include respondents Pastor Kathy Fick (Christus Rex), Professor Brad Serber (Assistant Professor of Communication), and Rabbi Jamie Serber.
Sunday’s talk back following the matinee, “Trauma Recovery,” will include respondents Sherry Murphy (EGF Public Schools, Social Worker), Jackie Hoffarth (Assistant Professor, UND Social Work, Grand Forks School Board member, and family member of a victim of violence), Desiree Price (victim of violence and participant in Restorative Justice), and Dr. Sandra Mills (Psychologist).
Supported by a grant from the Community Foundation of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, the Fire Hall Theatre is giving away tickets to high school seniors. Students should simply show an I.D. at the Fire Hall when arriving at the box office, up to 1-hour before curtain.
Regular tickets are $16 and $13 for seniors, students, teachers, military, and 1stresponders. Please call 701-777-4090 to reserve.
Warning: The play includes strong language and subject matter involves violence.
