Aquinas Academy’s high school students stage 'Our Town'

Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh’s high school theater students performed Thorton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Our Town.”

Using two mixed casts, Mike Flynn directed four shows in Aquinas Academy’s Rhodora J. Donahue building on the school’s campus. The first show was performed for students at the end of the school day on Dec. 3. The remaining shows were open to all audiences on the same Friday evening, Dec. 4 and a matinee Dec. 5.

After directing musicals the previous three years, Mike Flynn was eager to have his students perform a play. “Plays have more depth than musicals,” according to Flynn. ‘Our Town’ does not disappoint, as its gripping story of ordinary life in a small turn of the 20th-century New England town delivers a powerful message of the eternal value of each moment of life. Lead actor, senior Than Archer (George Gibbs), relished his role in bringing to tears to the audience, “I love laughing and crying on stage because it brings out the most emotion from the audience and when you do it right it is very rewarding as an actor.”

Flynn appreciates the minimalist approach to scenery favored by Wilder’s play. The backdrop was just a black sheet and students mimed all actions without using props. The narrator of the play is the Stage Manager played masterfully by senior Theo Austin. The Stage Manager is able to address both the audience and the players on the stage, he even acts as different characters in the play.

Flynn ran two casts to highlight the significant talent of the senior class. Although the boys’ parts remained the same for all four performances, the main female roles were split for two plays each.

Additional senior lead roles were played by Anna Myron and Katelyn Buchanan (Emily Webb), Charlie Dingle (Mr. Webb), Laura Richthammer and Michelle Imani (Mrs. Webb), Steven Giacobbi (Dr. Gibbs), Anna Keverline and Emilia Kartsonas (Mrs. Gibbs), Elizabeth Hardy and junior Bella Hite (Rebecca Gibbs).

Seniors performed major roles off-stage as well: Sabrina Knox (assistant director), Coco Reed (stage manager), Sydney Libell (head of stage crew), Nick Tarquinio (sound board) and Gio Vella (spotlight).

Teachers Rosemary Meland and Brady Buchanan contributed much time and talent as costumes director and set construction, respectively.

This play marks Flynn’s 34th dramatic production for Aquinas Academy.