Junior Abigayle Anne Groves as the White Queen
The Blackburn Performing Arts Department’s fall play, “Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast,” had been eagerly awaited by many students and professors alike. It debuted on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m. and had several subsequent performances on Friday and over the weekend. “Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast” is an adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic wonderland stories. The play differs from Carroll’s Victorian stories by having a more psychedelic 1960s and 1970s vibe. Blackburn theater professor Andrea Swift-Hanlon acted as the play’s designer and technical director and achieved this by using era-appropriate clothing, music and sets.
Sophomore communications major Kaitlyn Scott played the lead role of Alice in the play and said, “I was a little nervous, but rehearsal helped me get out the pre-show jitters. I think we all were very nervous, but also excited. Sophomore literature major Rachel Chong said, “No, I wasn’t very nervous. I would say I was more nervous yesterday during rehearsal.” Most actors agreed that once they got on stage they were not nervous anymore. “I was very nervous before the show, but once the music started all my nerves just melted away,” said freshman secondary English education major Alex Roberts, who played The Cheshire Cat.
Many audience members enjoyed the show and ended up seeing it more than once. Blackburn President John Comerford came to opening night and said, “I loved it! I thought it was very cool. I haven’t seen a play like it, very fast paced and very funny.” Blackburn theater professor and the play’s director Carolyn Conover said, “I’m thrilled for the actors and very proud. They really deserve this supportive of an audience because they put in a lot of hard work. People were smiling in the audience, we got some laughs, they all did their job very well.”
After a small celebration, all of the play’s actors were focused on the next performances and improving upon opening night. “We always have to be improving, I think we can never study our lines enough,” said Roberts. If you missed this year’s performance theater professors would like to remind you to attend Blackburn’s annual Madrigal Dinner. If you are interested in theater or would like to audition for a future play you can contact Professor Carolyn Conover at carolyn.conover@blackburn.edu or Professor Andrea Swift-Hanlon at andrea.swift-hanlon@blackburn.edu.
I’m thrilled for the actors and very proud. They really deserve this supportive of an audience because they put in a lot of hard work. People were smiling in the audience, we got some laughs, they all did their job very well.