E. C. Glass Theatre is launching its Visiting Artist Series with its upcoming production of the Lillian Hellman classic drama, "The Children’s Hour."
"The Children’s Hour" will be performed on March 19-23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Alumni Studio Theatre at E. C. Glass High School. The March 21st performance will be signed for the hearing impaired.
Written in 1934, this drama about a devastating lie explores society’s culture of fear. Though banned when written, it is a play that has endured time, and its themes continue to ring true today.
New to Glass Theatre is the Visiting Artists Series, which is being introduced this season. The Visiting Artists Series will bring Glass Theatre alumni back to the program to direct a show each year. Abby Baum, a graduate of E. C. Glass in 2003 and New York University in 2007, returns as the inaugural director for this series.
Ms. Baum is completing her master’s degree in secondary education/ English at University of Virginia, in addition to undergraduate degrees in Music/Vocal Performance (NYU) and English (Hunter College). She is delighted in this first experience directing and especially with the students from her own high school program. "Theatre, in its own way, provides the opportunity for people to come together and tackle the essential concerns and questions of humanity," said Ms. Baum. "Being back at Glass and getting to do this type of thinking and creating with a group of enthusiastic, intelligent young adults is more than I could have hoped for in my first experience as a director."
Tom Harris, director of drama at E. C. Glass High School, is already seeing the benefits to his student actors. "The cast speaks of her ability to dig deep into the soul of each character and help them develop their interpretation. Her mastery of the script analysis has been evident since the very first rehearsal. Her knowledge of her craft and ability to pass it on to the next generation is inspirational."
Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. Tickets will be on sale at the E. C. Glass Auditorium Lobby Box Office weekdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. from March 14-22 and one hour prior to each performance.
For more information visit www.ecglasstheatre.org or call Glass Theatre at (434) 522-3712.