Budding actors tackle diverse roles in ‘Quilters’

The Liberty University Department of Theatre Arts’ latest workshop production, “Quilters,” puts the spotlight on emerging talent as students showcase their acting skills on the Tower Theater stage. The show opens tonight and runs through Sunday, Oct. 16.

Set in the American West, “Quilters” tells the story of a pioneer woman and her six daughters. The musical is structured as a series of short tales, each presenting an aspect of frontier life — girlhood, marriage, childbirth, sisterhood, twisters, fires, illness, and death. The musical showcases steadfastness in the face of adversity.

Linda Nell Cooper, director, said that “Quilters” is an all-female cast — seven actresses playing more than 50 different characters — who never leave the stage.

“Each actress will be playing 10 characters or more, and they will be bringing historically accurate stories to life,” she said. “This is a huge experience on stage for our students, and it is teaching them endurance, focus, and awareness while they are on stage. This show is a good way for young actresses to cut their teeth on a dramatic role and be a part of our first ever musical workshop.”

Throughout the show, there will be a live folk band on stage playing traditional songs and hymns, also making “Quilters” the first all-female musical at Liberty.

Esther Karram, a senior performing arts major, said that she has received training from Cooper, chair of the Department of Theatre Arts and an associate professor of theatre, in various acting classes, so the chance to work on a show with her was a dream come true. She said Cooper helped her learn more about portraying vastly different characters.

“It can be challenging, but it has also been a lot of fun to explore the transition of playing a 60-year-old woman in one scene and a 9-year-old girl in the next,” she said. “Finding the character’s specific physical movements, such as the way she sits or even stands, helps with these transitions and allows you to grasp the character. It definitely keeps you on your toes and makes sure you are ready to go.”

Karram said her greatest take-away from the show has been “the power of legacy.”

“No matter where we go, we are always leaving something behind us. The women in ‘Quilters’ knew the importance of sharing their stories with each other because it not only spoke of their strength and their struggles from the past, but these stories empowered the women of the next generation to press on in difficult circumstances and never to give up,” she said. “It has served as a great reminder that when our time on this earth is up, we are remembered by our character, our love, and how we pour into people.”

“Quilters” is $5 for general admission and $2 for student admission.

Tickets can be purchased online or by calling (434) 582-SEAT (7328). On the night of a performance, call the Tower Box Office at (434) 582-2085.