Our Town

Thornton Wilder’s most frequently performed play appeared on Broadway in 1938 to wide acclaim, and won the Pulitzer Prize. Set in the early 1900s, Our Town tells the story of a small town, Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire, in order to tell us the story of every town, the whole world over. 

 

Follow the Gibbs and Webb families, residents of Grover’s Corners, through three acts and 12 years of life changes — from the mundane, to the romantic, to the devastating. This ‘slice of life’ drama immerses the audience into small town life and highlights the importance of community and connection.

Stage Manager

Past Roles in CDS Productions:
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) - Team Leader 2

What has it been like being part of the play in such unusual circumstances?
It's very different than what I am used to but I love the added challenge!

What's a simple pleasure in life that you enjoy?
Starbucks!

Dr. Gibbs

Past Roles in CDS Productions:
Peter Pan Jr. - Chief Bamboo; The Lion King Jr. - Shenzi; The Outsiders - Crew (Sound Manager); The Diary of Anne Frank - Supporting Roles; The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) - Othello, King Lear, Hamlet's Father's Ghost, etc.

What has it been like being part of the play in such unusual circumstances?
Being a part of the play in these circumstances was obscure, to say the least. It was challenging and fun having to work within these specific guidelines. Switching between remote and in-person rehearsals was frustrating at times, but I believe that we made the best out of our situation. Nevertheless, we were still able to create a show that we were pleased with. Although we have been restricted in our own time period, we have been able to learn a lot about how people lived in the early 1900s. Without the complications of modern technology or world issues, the characters of Our Town are forced to focus on the small things in life (the things that we take for granted today). Being able to learn about the lives of those people has helped us appreciate what we have today, rather than focusing on the negative aspects of our lives.

What's a simple pleasure in life that you enjoy?
A simple pleasure in life that I enjoy are sunsets. Even though the sun sets everyday, not many people take the time to enjoy the beauty of it. I especially love when the sky fades from a soft blue at the top of the sky to a vivid pink at the edge of the horizon. I was able to appreciate this more when coming back home after evening play rehearsals.

Mrs. Gibbs

Past Roles in CDS Productions:
The Grunch - Mrs. Woods

What has it been like being part of the play in such unusual circumstances?
It was still such an amazing experience no matter the circumstances, I had so much fun and will always remember this play for the amazing rehearsals!

What's a simple pleasure in life that you enjoy?
Singing!

George Gibbs

Past Roles in CDS Productions:
The 39 Steps - Ensemble Member

What has it been like being part of the play in such unusual circumstances?
Even though we had to pivot to online rehearsals for two weeks, we’ve largely been able to do a lot of the same things as in past years.  It has been very fun getting to know a whole new group of people and working on such a fun thing as the play. Even when people were online, we were able to connect with them through Google Meet to keep the play going which was challenging but fun. 

What's a simple pleasure in life that you enjoy?
Listening to music

Mrs. Webb

Past Roles in CDS Productions:
Peter Pan Jr. - Fairy; The Wizard of Oz - Auntie Em; Lion King - Timone

What has it been like being part of the play in such unusual circumstances?
It was difficult, but it felt good to be back in theatre.

What's a simple pleasure in life that you enjoy?
Making a meal for people I care about.

Mr. Webb

Past Roles in CDS Productions:
The 39 Steps - Professor Jordan, Paperboy

What has it been like being part of the play in such unusual circumstances?
Everyone was constantly worried and anxious about the result of the play, whether it be physical or remote, masked or maskless, among many other things. Even writing this, we are still are uncertain, but regardless, the opportunity to form this production together and make friends in the process made the uncertainty worth the experience.

What's a simple pleasure in life that you enjoy?
Being outside on a warm summer night is always such a wonderfully, calming experience. One in which I look forward to every year for the simple bliss of it.

Emily Webb

Past Roles in CDS Productions:
The Wizard of Oz - The Wicked Witch of the West; The Outsiders - Marcia; The Diary of Anne Frank - Older Anne; The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) - The Narrator

What has it been like being part of the play in such unusual circumstances?
The whole cast was so committed that even with all the uncertainty it was easy to come together and try our best! 

What's a simple pleasure in life that you enjoy?
A good laugh with friends and family and watching the clouds, sunset, or moon! Just being able to gaze up at the sky at anytime of day is a pleasure.  

Wally Webb/Joe Crowell/Simon Stinson

Past Roles in CDS Productions:
The Wizard of Oz - Monkey; The Grunch - The Grunch; The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) - Team Leader 3; The Diary of Anne Frank - Team Frank

What has it been like being part of the play in such unusual circumstances?
It has been really hard. Having to act with masks makes things a lot weirder and uncomfortable.

What's a simple pleasure in life that you enjoy?
Going home every day to relax in my room.

Mrs. Soames

Past Roles in CDS Productions:
This is my first CDS production.

What has it been like being part of the play in such unusual circumstances?
It has been very fun, as the supportive cast, crew and teachers made sure we all enjoyed being part of the play, while being safe.

What's a simple pleasure in life that you enjoy?
Starbucks

Rebecca Gibbs & Assistant Stage Manager

Past Roles in CDS Productions:
The Diary of Anne Frank - Team Frank; The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) - Assistant Stage Manger

What has it been like being part of the play in such unusual circumstances?
It's been interesting, to say the least. There are a lot of learning curves and new challenges, but at the end of the day being a part of a show in any circumstance continues to create a great and fun environment I always look forward to.

What's a simple pleasure in life that you enjoy?
Watching bootleg musicals on Youtube (shout out "slime Tutorial" playlists)

Head Stage Manager

Past Roles in CDS Productions:
The Outsiders - ASM; The Diary of Anne Frank - Head SM; The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) - Head SM; Searching for Greta - Head SM; The 39 Steps - Head SM

What has it been like being part of the play in such unusual circumstances?
It has felt quite normal for the most part. Theatre always finds a way to escape the issues of real life, and it’s hard to remain stressed while watching the show come together. There have been some interesting moments while navigating rehearsal online, but we’ve stayed pretty positive throughout.

What's a simple pleasure in life that you enjoy?
Being able to surround myself with interesting people and be a part of simple conversations. Even if I’m just observing what’s happening around me, I like to be a part of it. It’s the feeling of relating to others and starting jokes. That is simply the best feeling in life.

Assistant Stage Manager

Past Roles in CDS Productions:
Head of Into the Breach Instagram; Searching for Greta - Senior Assistant; The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged); The Diary of Anne Frank - Hanneli Goslar; The Outsiders - Crew, and more!

What has it been like being part of the play in such unusual circumstances?
Being involved in Our Town in these times has brought new acting challenges as well as a new determination to put on a production with our circumstances. It was really great to be back with everyone and form our little community again. Being a part of a drama or theatre community is a really special experience because you have to be so vulnerable in front of each other. You could really tell how much everyone wanted to be a part of Our Town, and it made us all so much closer.

What's a simple pleasure in life that you enjoy?
Walking at night in summer just when it starts to get dark.

Sound & Lighting

Past Roles in CDS Productions:
Searching for Greta - Sound & Lighting

What has it been like being part of the play in such unusual circumstances?
It definitely would have been nice to have a real audience, but it was still a lot of fun to put this on.

What's a simple pleasure in life that you enjoy?
Hearing the crows in spring.

Sound & Lighting

Past Roles in CDS Productions:
Searching for Greta - Crew

What has it been like being part of the play in such unusual circumstances?
I've never been in a normal play so it feels normal to me.

What's a simple pleasure in life that you enjoy?
Sleeping in

Sound & Lighting

Past Roles in CDS Productions:
The Grunch - Crew; The Diary of Anne Frank - Crew

What has it been like being part of the play in such unusual circumstances?
For the past month or two I have been online so I cannot really say the same compared to those in school. However I was still able to input a few ideas of my own into the play and contribute a little by finding some resources, so all is well.

What's a simple pleasure in life that you enjoy?
Sports, specifically tennis

Costumes

Past Roles in CDS Productions:
The Grunch - Rachel

What has it been like being part of the play in such unusual circumstances?
I thought it was a difficult but amazing experience with COVID being in the way.

What's a simple pleasure in life that you enjoy?
Hanging out with friends.

Costumes

Past Roles in CDS Productions:
This is my first CDS production.

What has it been like being part of the play in such unusual circumstances?
I think even with everything going on and a lot of changes, it was still an amazing experience and I had a lot of fun working in costumes.

What's a simple pleasure in life that you enjoy?
In my free time I love being with my friends either by talking to them online or in person.

Directing Team: Ms. Bevacqua-Tirone,  Ms. Pozzebon, Mr. Fell
Technical Director: Mr.  Marchessault
Set Construction: Mr.  Marchessault
Props: Mr. Hoffstetter, Ms. Lavis
Set Painting: Mr. Marchessault, Gabrielle Marchessault, Julia Garbe, Mr. Garbe
Lighting Design, Sound Operation and Head of Crew: Mr. Hoffstetter
Vocal Direction: Mr.  Zero, Mr.  Garbe
Sound Technician: Mike Cuthbertson
Costumes: Ms. Barbanchon
Film Production: Music 21, Mr. Lawton
T-Shirt Design: Ms. Bevacqua-Tirone
T-Shirt Production: Brian DAndrade, Sharksfin
Original Song “Forgotten Soul”: Julia Garbe

Program: Tabitha Ma
Audience Coordinator: Mr. Johnston
Into the Breach Instagram Coordinator: Jessie Rudin

Special Thanks: The families of the Cast and Crew, Mr. Garbe, Mr.  Zero, CDS’s Administrative Team, CDS’s Custodial Team, Mr.  Liggett, Mr. Johnston, Ms. Scott, Ms. Sillcox, Ms. Ma, Dining Hall Staff