WARTBURG PLAYERS PREPARE TO PERFORM FALL PLAY

RACHEL GREEN, KVN REPORTER
HALEY JACOBSEN, TRUMPET GUEST WRITER
GINA BAWEK, TRUMPET GUEST WRITER

Many people have heard the phrase “lights, camera, action,” but the students involved in Wartburg’s upcoming play are preparing for the more accurate “curtains, lights, action,” in reference to a character in the play that is on the spectrum for autism.

When the curtains open and the lights come up at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 8-9, the Wartburg Players will perform “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.”

The 10-person cast utilizes a set of six wooden chairs to transport the audience into the mind of Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old boy on the spectrum for autism, as he tries to navigate the murder of Mrs. Shears’ dog, Wellington. When deciding which play to direct, Megan Malaski a fourth-year Wartburg student, went against the grain and chose a serious play with a lesson.

“When I was looking at plays, I was looking at something where I can bring my two loves together, so theater and my major [social work], and this play seemed perfect for it,” Malaski said.

In addition to Malaski’s passion, Maxwell Weber, a second-year student who plays multiple roles throughout the play, has a personal connection tied to the production.

“I have a younger brother who has Asperger’s,” Weber said. “So, I think it’s really nice that we’re getting a main character that is on the spectrum, just because it means a lot to me personally. I have had to train myself for almost 17 years now on how to interact and what specific things I have to say to get them to understand and just have fun with them.”

Nathan Onsgard, a second-year student, will be playing the lead role. Onsgard said the role required a lot of studying the character.

The three individuals are a few of those interviewed and all of them showed this much or more passion about their roles and the message in this play.

General admission to the production is $10 or free with a Wartburg ID.