Theatre Department to put on ‘The Line Between’

The Hope College Department of Theatre will present “The Line Between” on Friday, April 21; Saturday, April 22; and Wednesday-Saturday, April 26 29 at 7:30 p.m. An additional free matinee will take place on Saturday, April 23, at 3 p.m. All performances will be held in the DeWitt Center theatre.

“The Line Between” was created by Hope students and Hope Theatre Department alumni Dan Kwiatkowski (’04) and Erik Saxvik (’04), who have traveled to Holland from New York City. Unlike a regular play, “The Line Between” is a devised theatre piece. Devised theatre is a collaborative, creative process in which the script develops through structured improvisation. The ensemble has spent the past academic year generating content for the piece through workshops, writing prompts and imagery.

“The Line Between” follows the hero’s journey through two worlds— a clean crisp community separated from a band of wild, expressive nomads. The play explores what it means to see the world from someone else’s point of view. It does this by incorporating original text, poetry and lyrics into the narrative of sisters, family and friendship. The Theatre Department hopes the audiences will leave “The Line Between” having learned about the hope of humanity and the power of forgiveness.

Kwaitkowski and Saxvik have enjoyed working with Hope stu dents to create this piece.

“When we started this process back in September, we had no idea what we were going to do and how we were going to execute it,” Kwiatkowski said. “But one thing was clear from the start: everyone in the room was there because of their commitment to theatre and their commitment to each other. The process has proved to be overwhelmingly rewarding and honest. As we have tried to un mask and unravel the idea of what it means to be different, we have questioned our own privilege here at Hope and how we use that to empower those who struggle to have their voice heard. This is incredibly inspiring group of young artists.”

Saxvik agreed with Kwaitkowski. “It has been an exciting and deeply meaningful opportunity to devise an original piece of theatre with the Hope students — to create a work that can generate discussion within the community is a great privilege,” he said. “The show has been a genuine group effort from the very beginning — there are 17 students involved and each of their voices are represented well. One of the themes of the piece is that we are stronger collectively than we are as individuals, something which has proven entirely true in our work on this production.”

In addition to directing, Kwiatkowski and Saxvik have contributed many other talents to the production. Kwiatkowski serves as scenic designer while Saxvik serves as lighting design er with the assistance of student designer Nils Fritjofson (’17). In addition, Kwiatkowski and Saxvik composed the production’s original score.

This also isn’t Hope’s first devised piece. Previous devised pieces by Hope Theatre include Nathan Allen’s “Rose and the Rime” (2007) and The Hinter lands’ “Goodbye Beauty, Hello Dust” (2015).

The production team also includes Kierney Johnson (’18) as costume designer, faculty member Michelle Bombe as costume design mentor, Claire Bouwkamp (’17) as projections designer and Megan Clark (’19) as properties manager. Aaron McEachran (’17) serves as stage manager, while Jacob Starr (’20) and Jensine Waller (’17) serves as assistant stage managers.

Staff members contributing to the project include Ken Chamberlain as sound designer, Paul Anderson as technical director and Darlene Veenstra as costume shop manager.

The cast includes J. Griffin Baer (’18), Gracen Barth (’20), Megan Clark (’19), Ra chel Dion (’19), Katrina Dykstra (’19), Samantha Hill (’18), Kier ney Johnson (’18), Anna Jones (’18), Olivia Lehnertz (’19), Jake Mate (’17), Makeya Royer (’20), Emmie Sandstedt (’20), Laura Schmidt (’17), Izzy Schonfeld (’18), Akia Nyrie Smith (’18), Deana Velandra (’18) and Sean Zorn (’17).

Tickets are $10 for regular admission and $7 for senior citizens, Hope faculty and staff. Tickets are free for Hope stu dents and children 18 and under and are available at the Events and Conferences Office located downtown in the Anderson Werkman Financial Center (100 E. Eighth Street). The office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be called at (616) 395-7890. Patrons may purchase tickets in person, online at hope.edu/tickets or by calling the ticket office.

The DeWitt Center is located at 141 E. 12th St., facing Columbia Avenue between 10th and 13th streets.