On October 19, 20, and 21, the Williston theater department put on Thorton Wilder’s “Our Town,” a drama which focuses on the people in a small and rural New Hampshire town.The play focuses on two families, the Webbs and the Gibbs. The two eldest children of each family, Emily and George, played by juniors Maddie Elsea and Caleb Stern, fall in love, and the play documents their relationship as they grow from childhood friends to living side by side in their 20s.

Directed by Emily Ditkovski, the play’s stage directions were natural and simplistic but resulted in eye-catching pictures. Ditkovski also helped the actors, especially the leads, encapsulate the themes of the play, including family, love, and loss.

Harrison Winrow, one of the stars of the play, injured himself shortly before opening night. And Erin Davey, the Assistant Dean of Students stepped up to play his role of the Stage Manager/Narrator.

Although Davey used the script to recount the important lines, she seamlessly followed her stage direction and proved to be one of the best actors in the play. She was one of the most significant members of the story, and did a really good job performing and leading the play’s story.

Elsea particularly shined in her role as Emily Webb. She grew up gracefully throughout the play, and showed the maturity that she gained as she aged. By the third act, Elsea had completely embodied her role, and her raw talent proved she would be an unstoppable force in the Williston theater department through next year.

Charles Raffetto’s stage design also proved to be a unique and important aspect of the play. The few props helped the audience focus on the story, and the ladders used were interesting and at times helped to paint a wonderful stage picture.

Alex Marwaha ’20 played one of the most important parts of the play: the stage manager. The lighting and sound transitions were seamless, and every actor got to their cues on time.

Though the set was bare, the actors did a great job using “space clay,” where they pretended to be using things which they were not.

Senior Elise Dunn played a milkmaid in the drama, and her use of space clay was especially impressive. At some points, Dunn had to pretend to be taking a cow with her places, and although this act could have been confusing—and could have made her character seem kind of insane—she pulled it off well.

Furthermore, Dunn’s small role was overshadowed by her talent, and although she did not have the most lines in the play, she played her character fantastically.

Seniors Kevin O’Sullivan and Josh Holmberg played the fathers, and were both amazing. They’ve both been in Williston theater projects, and their level of confidence and comfort showed, which really enhanced their performances. They both played their characters with ease.

The costumes, created by designer Ashley Tyler and students who signed up for the afterschool costume design program, was a unique part of the play. One of the best costumes belonged to Nina Renkert ’20, and helped establish her character’s social position and personality.

All of the other actors, whether they had one line or many, shone in their individual ways. Ditkovski once again proved her dedication to formulating each character and working closely with each actor.

In the Spring, the Williston theater department will be putting on the musical “Into the Woods” by James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim. Auditions will take place in the winter.