"Haas Hall has a drama class, but I wanted to take theater to the next step by offering the opportunity for anyone at school to be in a full-length, licensed production," says Caroline Elser. The Haas Hall senior did not shy away from the challenge: In her second effort as director, she's tackling Lois Lowry's "Number the Stars," which details the escape of a Jewish family from Copenhagen during World War II.
"I read the book ... when I was in fifth grade," says Elser, who raised $670 for her school when she directed "12 Angry Jurors" to a sold-out crowd at Haas Hall last year. "As I was searching for shows to produce, I ran across the title again. All the memories I had associated with the story of courage, friendship, and loyalty came back to me, and I knew it would be the perfect show to direct my senior year and would be a great story to tell."
FAQ
‘Number the Stars’
WHEN — 7 p.m. Wednesday through March 10
WHERE — Haas Hall Academy, 3880 N. Front St. in Fayetteville
COST — $7
INFO — 966-4930
Elser is a veteran actor, having performed in 17 productions at Arts Live, Arts Center of the Ozarks, Trike Theatre, Music Theatre Wichita and Broadway Artists Alliance in New York.
"I love theater so much because it allows you to put yourself into someone else's shoes, and theater teaches us things about the world and ourselves that we might never had realized before."
Elser says that "Number the Stars" has important themes to offer an audience.
"One of the most important lessons in the show is that bravery is for everyone," she notes. "Heroism and bravery is not just for soldiers and policemen -- it can come from anyone, even young girls. Another important lesson is that even though people may have differences, they can still be close and loyal friends, despite societal pressures."
-- Lara Hightower
NAN What's Up on 03/03/2017