Students perform a staged reading of “Inherit the Wind”
Tina Frederickson's students in PsTL 1312, Creating Identities through Art and Performance, performed a staged reading of "Inherit the Wind" by Lawrence and Lee, on May 6th in the Appleby Hall Courtyard. PsTL 1312 is part of a Learning Community with David Arendale (World History) and Jay Hatch (Biology). Based on the 1925 Scopes trial in Dayton, TN and the battle between orators William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow, this play examines how questions of religion and science and faith and fact impacted one small town and beyond in regards to teaching evolution in school, a dialogue that is just as active today.
The play "Inherit the Wind" was selected as the unifying link between History, Biology, and the Performing Arts due to the significance the Scopes Monkey Trial has had in history and biology and the lively, personal dialogue it raises. After studying evolution in Biology and the Scopes Monkey Trial in history, students had a roundtable discussion on their thoughts about the play to determine the focus of the performance. The remaining two weeks of class were spent rehearsing and making posters, programs, and protest signs for the staged reading.
Katrina Daby as Drummond. (photo by Justin Evidon)
Eric Dahlman playing Brady (photo by Justin Evidon)
Playing the dueling oratorical roles were Katrina Daby in the role of Henry Drummond (Darrow) and Eric Dahlman as William Harrison Brady (Bryan). Alex Lam played the defendant Bertram Cates and Emily Betz was the firey Reverend Brown. Other actors included; Steph Aliota, Rebecca Barton, Liz Imhoff, Kristin Kantola, Payton Kulus, Lauren McCallum, Kristine Satterlund, Derek Settle, Elizabeth Sommer, and Bee Yang. Callie Moylan was the Stage Manager and Ashley Steevwoorden and Pang Vang were Assistant Stage Managers. As an additional bonus, Biology professor Jay Hatch played the role of Howard, the worm-loving 13 year old boy who testified at the trial.
Jay Hatch playing Howard (photo by Justin Evidon)
Emily Betz as Reverend Brown (photo by Justin Evidon)
Liz Imhoff as EK Hornbeck and Rebecca Barton as Rachel (photo by Justin Evidon)
Kristine Satterlund and Kristin Kantola playing multiple roles (photo by Justin Evidon)
Alex Lam as Bertram Cates (photo by Justin Evidon)