An Eyre-resistible play at NGU: Jane Eyre The Musical
Caroline McNeely, Visual Arts Editor
North Greenville University’s theater department presents “Jane Eyre, The Musical” on April 11-13 and April 18-20 at 7:30 p.m. From heartbreaking loss, learning independence and finding love, NGU’s performance of Jane Eyre will leave you amazed.
Seth Atkins, junior digital media major, plays the role of John Reed in the scene. This is Atkin’s third musical with NGU. Atkins also plays the roles of Lord Ingram and in the ensemble.
Young Jane Eyre, who is being played by elementary school student Claire Wells, stands on a stool and gets labeled as a liar after getting reprimanded for being deceitful. Behind her, older Jane Eyre, played by Carmen Wells, revisits her memories as the narrator.
Jaylan Brinson, senior worship studies major, plays the role of Miss Scartcherd in the scene as her character responds coldly to the young Jane Eyre. Brinson also plays as Grace Poole and in the ensemble.
Matthew Blanton, senior music major, takes on the role of Brocklehurst in the scene. The character Brocklehurst is the head of the school that Jane Eyre attends, and Brocklehurst creates an atmosphere of fear among the students. Blanton can be found playing the roles of “Mr. Eshton” and “St. John Rivers” as well.
Sarah Delanuez, senior, and Sadie Beaumont, sophomore, embody the characters of students at the school, called Lowood Institution, that Jane Eyre went to. Delanuez also plays as Mary Ingram and in the ensemble, and Beaumont also plays as Amy Eshton and in the ensemble.
Kat Liederbach, senior theatre major, gracefully participates as ensemble in the scene. Liederbach also plays as “Mrs. Dent” in the play.
Alyse Barrett, junior theater major, humors the crowd with her witty character of “Mrs. Fairfax” who is the housekeeper of Thornfield Hall.
Hadley Cash, middle school student, plays the role of Adele, and Dylan Thompson, NGU faculty and student, plays as her father, Edward Fairfax Rochester.
Meghan Frady, junior, Beaumont, Delanuez and Isabelle Western, sophomore, passionately take on their ensemble roles as they create art through movement and song. Stage director of the play, Rowan Bishop, said “This show is probably one of the most beautiful pieces of theater I’ve ever done. The cast brings it to life in such an incredible way that you want to be right there with them in it.”
Wells, playing Jane Eyre, passionately sings as her character is stepping out on a new journey of independence and new opportunities.
