Theatre Review and Preview

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A Review and Preview of Tabor Theatre

By Jessica Klein

Tabor Theatre recently performed “Sweetheart Come” and is currently rehearsing for “Richard II” to be presented at the end of April. “Sweetheart Come,” performed Feb. 25-28, features the story of Emma Hauck and her journey with schizophrenia. Tabor Theatre chose this show for a number of reasons including the smaller cast, but the college’s theme of mental health played a large role in the decision.

“Last spring, we learned that the societal challenge for Tabor this year would be mental health, and I felt that it was such a rich opportunity to speak to that topic in a meaningful way,” said Lauren Carlton, director of “Sweetheart Come” and assistant professor of theatre at Tabor.

A total of seven students were involved in the play. A portion of those involved do not currently have a declared theatre major. “You can major in other things and still absolutely be a part of the Tabor College theatre community,” said Carlton. “It is one of

the beauties of Tabor

College theatre.”

“Sweetheart Come” endured many challenges in getting the show ready for an audience. Quarantine forced understudies freshman Mallory Ediger and sophomore Cody Crouch to join junior Nathan Kemling under the spotlights. “Richard II” will be performed for an audience at 7 p.m. April 29-30 and May 1. The show will be performed outside at the gazebo, which is located at Lincoln and C streets.

After the cancelation of “Twelfth Night” because of COVID-19 last spring and losing several cast members, Austin Harleson, director and assistant professor of theatre, changed his course of action. Seven actors will be filling the roles of 15 different characters, but Harleson is confident in the students’ abilities. “We have a tight-knit cast that can rotate through these roles easily,” he said. The show will be performed in a contemporary setting while still using Shakespearian verse. Harleson said he believes the audience will enjoy the humor and light that this show brings to the stage.