Searcy Performing Arts Center on the Square is opening its doors for the production “Our Town” tonight at 7:30 p.m. and will have showings every Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. for the next three weeks, with a matinee showing on Sunday Oct. 1 at 1:30 p.m. “Our Town,” based in New Hampshire during the early 1900s, delves into the themes of everyday living, romance and marriage, and death and eternity.
The lead protagonists George Gibbs and Emily Webb fall in love with each other through their family’s close bond. As their relationship progresses from courtship to marriage, the story skips to Webb’s death. Webb finds herself in the spirit realm and is granted one day back in her life. Upon choosing to relive her twelfth birthday, she realizes humanity’s lack of appreciation for life. The concept of the story puts the viewer in reflection as it rhetorically asks the question, “How are you spending your time while you’re alive?”
Searcy’s rendition of “Our Town” will be hosted by Center on the Square, a nonprofit organization which aims to show the community an appreciation for performing arts and invites people to enjoy theater. It also features a youth program, KidStage, which gives kids a look into performance and helps hone their skills within theater.
Center on the Square has put on over 150 shows since 1999, according to the “Our Town” director Carla Fuller.
“Our Town” features Harding students and alumni, senior Matt Garner and alumni Janet Garner and Chad Kraft.
According to Fuller, Center on the Square regularly has interest from the Harding community, and students usually come to auditions for every play.
“We love for [Harding students] to get involved for several reasons: they’re often talented, they’re fun… and they know a lot of people on campus.” Fuller said. “We usually have some students show up for all of our auditions.”
Junior Mills Bryant has been in two productions on Center on the Square, “Grease” and “My Three Angels,” and has enjoyed both productions.
“I think it has exposed me to a whole different group, and it’s been great,” Bryant said.
Center on the Square was founded was to the further the arts in Searcy and the surrounding community, according to Fuller.
“It seems that the community really enjoys our shows. They especially love seeing people they know on stage,” Fuller said.
After “Our Town” has closed its curtains, KidStage will have a performance in Nov. 2-4, and “A Christmas Carol” will be playing Dec. 1-17. Tickets and more information about Center on the Square can be found on their website or Facebook page.
