The directors from Little Rock Central High School, a school and national historic site, took a time out from their testing to talk about their remount of 44 Plays.
Jeff Mosser: How did Little Rock High School find out about 44 Plays for 44 Presidents?
Kimberly Dade: In 2006 Ms. Beith [Melinda] was granted an invitation to take a group of students to the American High School Theatre Festival to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. We saw another troup there from Decalb and we thought it was so unique and so awesome — going through the whole presidency, just thought it was so neat! And it was quick!
JM: What is it like to perform the Eisenhower play at Little Rock Central?
Melinda Beith: The scene is very personal for us. The kids loved the scene. The show is written for anensemble fo five, but we did an ensemble of twenty. When we got to Eisenhower we were able to do that with four soldiers, Eisenhower, and a group of protesters.
JM: So you’re remounting a production you did two years ago, some new students I assume? Any other changes?
MB: This year’s Juniors and Seniors were Freshmen and Sophomores in the last show. We’re going to do it in a different venue, and in a different way to give them another experience.