Bluefield Theatre Schedules Fall Productions
The Bluefield University Theatre is planning two productions this fall for its 23rd season: We’ll Always Have Bluefield and White Christmas.
We’ll Always Have Bluefield will run October 19 – 22. We’ll Always Have Bluefield is autobiographical, and it tells of Garrett Matthews’ journalism journey while employed for the Bluefield Daily Telegraph. The play will also show different, interesting interviews Matthews did in his career, from interviewing coal miners to a pastor of a snake-handling church. Matthews will also be attending each showing of the production. Charles and Rebecca McCoy-Reese, co-chairs of the Department of the Theatre, hope that this play will show the diversity and appreciation of the people of Appalachia.
The second production of the fall is White Christmas, which will run December 7 – 10. This play is based on the 1954 film of the same name. White Christmas is set in the 1940s – 1950s and follows the story of two World War II soldiers. After the war, the two soldiers form an entertainment duo. When the two soldiers find out their former general is facing bankruptcy with his inn business, the two GIs come to the rescue. White Christmas will have many Christmas songs and will help audience members get in the Christmas spirit.
Theatre senior Laura Horton will help with both productions this fall, and she’ll be playing the boarding house owner in We’ll Always Have Bluefield. When asked what she wants audience members to experience while attending, Horton said she hopes they will allow themselves to forget about their cares and be immersed in the world of the characters on stage.
Attending a fall theatre production will allow students to support their classmates who are taking part in the productions. More incentives to attend is the fact that productions are free to all students, and they give BU students an opportunity to earn Vocatio credits. If students want to be involved in the productions firsthand, they can help behind the scenes by working with props, costumes or being a stagehand. Or, if a student wants to be on stage, auditions are still open for White Christmas (auditions are planned for mid-October). For more information on getting involved with Bluefield University Theatre (even if you’re not a theatre major), students can email Rebecca McCoy-Reese or Charles Reese. Students can also stop by their office in the lower level of Harman Chapel in room 102.
All productions will run at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sundays. Productions are free to all BU students, faculty and staff. Community members are also welcome to attend. The charge for adults attending will be $10 in advance and $12 if you buy a ticket at the door. Students (any non-BU student, from elementary through college) will be charged $5 in advance and $7 at the door. All productions will be held inside Harman Chapel at Bluefield University.
Students should be on the lookout for future Bluefield University Theatre productions in the spring of 2024. The Sound of Music and SpongeBob SquarePants the Musical are planned for the spring.