Laboratory Theatre Company’s premiere production of their first full-length season is finally here!
After a successful soft-opening with Exit the King last spring, Laboratory Theatre Co. is excited to be producing a full season and kicking it off with Deborah Breevort’s award-winning play, The Women of Lockerbie. Loosely based on a true story, this play tells the story of a mother from New Jersey who travels to Lockerbie, Scotland to look for her son’s remains following his fatality from the crash of flight Pan Am 103. She meets the women of Lockerbie, who are fighting the U.S. government to obtain the clothing of the victims found in the plane’s wreckage. The women, determined to convert an act of hatred into an act of love, want to wash the clothes of the dead and return them to the victim’s families. The cast and production crew have worked so hard to bring this show to life and could not wait to tell you all about it in the email interviews below.
First, we emailed the production’s director, DeLaney Henley, to tell us about the challenges of putting this complex, grief-filled, poetic show on its feet and what her favorite parts of the rehearsal process have been.
“There have been challenges that we’ve all dealt with, such as student schedules and COVID. The fun challenges of this show, such as incorporating a Scottish dialect into the show, have been such a joy to work together on. Learning from Robert Westenberg was extremely helpful! My favorite part of the rehearsal process has been seeing the actors take their material and make it their own. I love seeing my actors being proud of the work that they do.”
When asked why audiences should come see this show, she stated, “It not only tells the story of a real life tragedy, it gives the audience a look into how unsuspecting people’s lives can change from something you might not have batted an eye at. The struggles of love, grief, and making the right choices are all things that everyone has dealt with in their own lives, and The Women of Lockerbie demonstrates how love can be found within grief whilst emphasizing that even the most helpful and morally correct choices can be the hardest to commit to.”
Next, we emailed cast member Camryn Parnitke to tell us about her character, Madeline Livingston- “Madeline is strong, stubborn, and loving. Her grief has caused her to remain in the past, and she has dedicated her life to honoring her son. The only relationship that matters anymore is the one with her late son. Even when others show her love, including her husband, Bill, she cannot reciprocate; however, Bill loves her through it all.”
When asked about her favorite part of the rehearsal process, she shared, “I love how collaborative working with L.T.C. is. The great thing about working with fellow students is the fact that we are fostering potential professional relationships while at the collegiate level. Student theatre is such a great experience.”
Our final interview was with cast member and production dramaturg, Asa Leininger! Dramaturgy for a historical play like this is incredibly important, so let’s see what he had to say-
“My name is Asa Charles Leininger – he/him/his – and my roles in this production of The Women of Lockerbie include playing George Jones whilst also carrying out the duties of Dramaturg. Dramaturgy, to me, is analyzing the work of dramatic literature and offering an interpretation of how it utilizes theatrical techniques to tell a story effectively. In that, it is a historical endeavor because one must often explore the context in which theatrical techniques were originally used, why they have been adapted for a specific piece, and how they affect that same piece. Additionally, if the play is inspired or based on real events, it is also necessary to examine the history of those historical events and how the piece uses specific theatrical techniques to capture them effectively or otherwise. Once this work has been done, it is offered up to the cast and creative team so that they may utilize any of the information provided in their interpretation of the script.”
When asked why audiences should see this show, he stated, “This show is a meditation on the necessity of grieving, the continual importance of a state supporting its constituents in things like grief (and not hindering them), and the continuing legacy of love in the face of hatred and destruction. If nothing else, I hope that people come to see these things recreated on stage by this wonderful company.”
What wonderful and thought-out responses everyone had! This is sure to be a show you’ll remember for a life-time.
Performances for The Women of Lockerbie will be Friday, October 15th and Saturday, October 16th at Springfield Little Theatre’s Judith Enyeart Reynolds School of the Performing Arts, located at 237 S. Florence Ave. Springfield, MO. Performances start at 7:30pm and are free to attend; however, they are taking reservations, and donations would be very much appreciated.
Click here to RESERVE YOUR SEAT and scan or click the QR code to be taken to Laboratory Theatre Co.’s campaign site for donations!