Do you want to see something riveting and mysterious? As the days get shorter, Bridgeport starts to decorate the streets with ghastly lights, features, and haunting entertainment. Every year, Bridgeport High School takes part in a theatrical competition with their award winning Thespian One Acts. Over the last three years, this troupe has made the city cry with tears of sadness in the Greek tragedy, “Medea,” and laughter with the slapstick comedy, “Lovers of Verona.” They have taught us our history with “Sing Down the Moon” and now are getting ready to frighten us with the all-encompassing drama, “Bury the Dead.”

               

Mock auditions were held last week as One Act director, Mrs. Trina Byard was weighing between which show she was inevitably going to end up doing.  It was between this show and another intense drama that took place during the Holocaust called, “Dark Road.”

“We are doing a show titled “Bury the Dead.” Pending licensing permissions we will hold auditions at the end of this month. This play is an anti-war drama that was written in 1935, before World War II. The plot centers around six soldiers that are killed in a war, but their bodies refuse to be buried,” said Byard.

               

The troupe aims at experiencing the art of mystery, drama, and terror, “I hope that we can send chills down the spines of our audience with this show. I also hope to provoke thought and conversation over the subject matter. I believe that even after 80 plus years, the world can still relate to the message in this show,” continued Byard.

               

Many local teenagers hope to learn much by being a part of this show. “I am excited for our show this year because it’s the kind of story that was written in a specific era but has themes that are applicable throughout history and even still today. It really brings to light the tragedy of war that can easily get glossed over in a history book. As an actress, the structure of the play intrigues me. I have never done anything like it. There is no clear-cut lead; it is an ensemble piece, and I like that because it means that the audience will get to see a large portion of our troupe showcased individually,” said junior Erica Cottrill.

               

Some students have concerns about the piece, “I am a little nervous about it because it is one of those shows where the entire cast has to be phenomenal to pull it off. But knowing our troupe, I am not too worried about it because we have some excellent actors at Bridgeport,” said junior Jordan Kennedy-Rea. 

               

Several students are very optimistic about what this show has in store. “I really love the way the script was written. The concept is really interesting, and the theme and subjects of the show are brilliantly explored. It is a show that will make people think, and I love it for that. It will be a real challenge for the guys especially, but I think it will be a beautiful growth to watch as we rehearse,” said junior Derek Hess.

               

Though Thespian Troupe 7549 wants to give to the community, they will need its help. “It would be a big help if the public could spread the word about the show, come and see the show when we offer performances, support any fundraisers we may have or offer any other kind of donation to the program. Putting a show together takes a lot of hard work and monetary support,” said Byard.

 

The Regional Thespian Festival is February 10, 2018, so the troupe will likely have a public performance before or around February 8 and/or 9, and then anticipate that with enough hard work, to make it to States on March 22-24, 2018.