The Colonel Players from Whitley County High School (WCHS) performed their play Pearl by Mandy Conner for the community on Oct. 30 before taking it to the Kentucky Theatre Association’s (KTA) East regional competition on Nov. 1.
Directed by Sarah Draper, Pearl centers on women breaking cycles of abuse and reclaiming their strength.
Draper said the story fit well with the competition’s focus on social and moral themes.
“Pearl is about women overcoming years and years of cycles of abuse and breaking that cycle for their daughters,” Draper said. “KTA shows like to focus on social and moral issues, and those are normally the shows that tend to do well at those competitions.”
The students had 45 minutes to perform. If students go over 45 minutes, the show becomes disqualified.
“The stress levels are definitely a little higher because the stakes are higher,” Draper said. “There are nerves leading up to it, but once the show starts, those nerves kind of go away.” Draper said she was especially proud of senior students who took leadership roles during the production. “Myleigh Farmer and Jayden Sulridge really stepped up this year,” Draper said. “Seeing them come out of their shell and take over was a proud director moment for me.”
The group’s next production will be A Christmas Story, set for Dec. 11–13 at Whitley County High School.
Draper encouraged the community to continue supporting local arts programs.
“Support theater. Support theater students. Do whatever you can to support the arts in general,” Draper said.
