by Francisco Jasso, Contributor

“Music and other Arts of War” follows the story of Evie Foster, an American student studying music in Venice who is getting ready to travel to Siena to participate in an historic Antonio Vivaldi concert.  It’s the spring of 1939 right before the start of World War II and Europe is getting prepared for war. Evie becomes the center of an idea to smuggle 50 German refugees out of Europe with the help from her music teacher Bruno Bayer. 

This story was written by NorthWest Arkansas Community College’s Miles Dayton Fish, and the performance was directed by Stephanie Freeman, who helped bring this story to life. NWACC music/theater program hosted a screenplay table read Feb. 9 and 10 at the  White Lecture Hall/Auditorium. The audience members also had access to the script to help follow along with the actors during their reading performance. 

The cast featured 15 NWACC students. Freeman, the director, said, “We were very lucky to have such talented students from many disciplines within Communication & Arts join us for this screenplay reading.” She also mentioned that each student performer also was able to add to the presentation. “The students brought their own personalities, timing, and humor to the work,” she said. “I can’t wait to see them take on a variety night soon! I’m so glad that this project also served as a way of recruiting students to NWACC Theatre Club!” 

In bringing this story to life, they faced a few challenges such as having to postpone the reading because of the snow and ice in late January and early February. “We got to work a few scenes and practice vocal techniques,” Freeman said. “However, due to the postponement, we lost a few cast members to scheduling conflicts. Certain roles were inherited by other actors late in the process, but you’d never know. The actors rolled with all the punches and made it work!”

At the end despite the challenges faced, their hard work paid off having a successful table read. When Freeman was asked if she had any advice for someone interested in directing, she said, “I think if someone is completely new to theatre but interested in directing, they should go and observe rehearsals somewhere, become part of a running crew, and try to absorb as much as possible. Go see shows — see everything — and really start to ask questions about the mechanics of storytelling on stage. And of course — take theatre classes and join NWACC Theatre Club!”