Wayne State College’s Theatre Department performed “Mother Courage and Her Children” this past week in the Black Box at the Fine Arts Building. This production had 30 people involved from the student level to professors at WSC. Written by Bertolt Brecht and translated to English by Eric Bentley, the story follows a mother and her three children as they go through the 30 Years’ War. Besides the main character Mother Courage and her children, the audience meets many other people throughout that they interact with.
There were many hands-on and technical elements that went into making this show possible. The technical director for this show, Brian Begley, worked on props, lighting and building the wagon. The wagon was a set piece that moved across the performance space with “Mother Courage and Her Children.” The program director Rusty Ruth was another staff contributor for “Mother Courage and Her Children.” Both staff members highlighted the value that the technical crew and helpers gave to the show.
“We also had some fantastic student designers as well who don’t normally get their roses,” Ruth said. “And so just being able to see these students get that sort of production opportunity as well as our actors. I mean, I think it’s just going to be invaluable for them.”
Begley mentioned people in the crew including Gracie Hintz, Adrian Huff, Elise White, Dan Gannon, Victoria Harrington, Jonah Felix, Maddie Fairman and Prim S.
Not only was the behind-the-scenes group commended by staff, but the actors working on the show were mentioned as well. The main character, Mother Courage, was played by Mariah Pleskac and she has been a very integral person in this production according to Ruth.
“My one big shout out is Mariah Pleskac. She and I were friends beforehand and she always puts so much effort into everything she does. She gets so emotionally invested and she keeps on trying new things out. It really inspires me to keep improving as an actor in that way,” cast member Ethan Frangenberg said.
“Tons of my entire cast has been wonderful to work with. But, you know, it’d be remiss to, if I would omit Mariah Pleskac. ” Ruth said. “She’s been really instrumental in us growing our program in the time that she’s been here.”
The show overall had a very deep message about war and how it affects people and wanted to have the audience members leaving with something they found out about themselves.
“It’s pretty different, but that mostly comes with the style of the show. Because the show style is very unique in a way because it’s less about storytelling and more about making a statement … So, yes, we are still acting and telling the story, but that’s not the main focus,” Frangenberg said.
The two staff leaders Ruth and Begley that were involved, had many great things to say about the strengths that the whole team possessed in this production.
“We’ve got a pretty enthusiastic group of people who are interested in doing theater, not just for fun, because it’s beautiful and fun and inviting, but also because it’s important,” Begley said.
