Senior Haley Wimpey narrates a scene during rehearsal of the play
Junior Kyler Bradley contemplates the meaning of life and love as “The Young Man” during rehearsal
Actors Elijah Tucker (left) and Haley Wimpey discuss the loss of a townsperson during a scene
The Southeast Whitfield High School Theatre Department will open its heartfelt one-act play, "Kodachrome", for a five-performance, weekend-long run on Thursday night, Oct. 19.
The play, written by Adam Szymkowicz, follows the lives, loves, and losses of the residents in a small New England town as told through the eyes of a mysterious photographer (Haley Wimpey).
According to director, Adam Cook, the play is a non-linear story that shows how a community of people are all connected to those around them whether they realize it or not.
“It’s a beautiful little story,” Mr. Cook said. “Our students have worked really hard on this show both on stage and behind the curtain. I’m excited for parents, friends, and the community as a whole to experience this play with us.”
Originally set in “present day” or “the recent past,” Mr. Cook says he adjusted the time period to give the story more heart and greater feeling of nostalgia.
“We’ve set the show in 1960,” he explained. “There’s something a little more romantic about the late 1950s and early 60s that I thought would help the themes hit audiences a little harder. I also wanted to show how the simple rights of passage and little moments in life are as universal now as they were decades ago.”
As Wimpey’s “Photographer” narrates vignette stories of the townspeople, the audience finds out that she has connections to folks like “The Hardware Store Owner” (Aiden Longobardo), “The Librarian” (Keily Owen), and “The Florist” (Morgan Dempsey).
“Kodachrome fills me with such a strong sense of love, it’s unbelievable,” Wimpey said of the play and the process. “It’s really fascinating watching the love stories unravel.”
In addition to showcasing the emotions of several different couples and relationships, Mr. Cook said students have been able to also learn a lot about a time period that passed on before they or their parents were even born.
“It’s been a great experience helping students get acquainted with an era that didn’t involve the internet, cell phones, and smart cars,” Mr. Cook said. “I love that this time period has allowed them, and me to focus on the relationships of people and what matters in life beyond social media statuses and TikToks.”
In addition to Wimpey, Longobardo, Owen, and Dempsey, the cast also includes Carter Greeson, Elijah Tucker, Chloe Kelley, Hadley Highfield, Victoria Johnson, Kyler Bradley, Destiny Chairez, Ta’Shel Bernavil, Ayelen Herrera, Santiago Hernandez, Bryan Duenas, Hayden Harrier, Cindy Paniagua, Jamie Knotts, Kaylee Johnson, Charli Lewis, Brandy Bradford, and Lily Singleton.
Performances will take place at the SHS Auditorium Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 19 - 21 at 7 p.m., with two matinee performances Saturday, Oct. 21 and 22 at 2 p.m. All tickets for the show are $5.
Ms. Wimpey, a senior who also serves as president of the SHS Drama Club, says the experience has been one of her favorites as a Raider, and she encourages everyone to come see the play.
“People should come watch Kodachrome because this show will turn into more than acting,” she said. “It’s a story people will take with them forever.”