Last weekend to catch Lee Theatre's "Castlewood"

This is the final weekend for Lee University Theatre’s latest production, “Castlewood.” 

The play, by Bethany Paulsen, tells the story of a young girl who is sent away from the city during the London Blitz of 1940. In the country she meets an eccentric young boy and together they create imaginative worlds in the woods. 

There is a “little bit of secrecy involved in what exactly the plot looks like,” according to theatre faculty Anna Marie Brendel. “But we hope that people will come out for it. It's a nice date night idea.”

Brendel, a Lee alumna, directed the show with a second alumna, Laura Hicks, serving as technical director. Now in her second year of teaching at Lee, Brendel enjoys ushering students through the production process.

“I love performing, and I'm grateful to be able to continue directing while I'm here as well,” Brendel said, adding she is now “really learning the ropes of academia and teaching and what all of that means to impact students who are several steps behind me now, and bringing them up through the ranks and helping prepare them for the professional world.”

Sydney Kruger (left) and Ella Knight appear as Fern and Winnie in the LeeU Theatre performance of  “Castlewood” by Bethany Paulsen. 

“Castlewood” has given several students the opportunity to work on- and off-stage during the production. The show’s cast includes students Ella Knight, Ethan Klemenz, and Sydney Kruger.  

“This marks a unique opportunity for our students to engage with and bring visibility to a new work of play literature. This student cast and crew have done a great job collaborating on bringing a new story to life and have fully committed to the process.” Brendel said. 

The production crew includes Lee students Hannah Kendrick as stage manager, Gabrielle Banker as assistant stage manager, Minnie Brock as set designer and costume designer, Derrick Vanmeter as set design mentor, Macy Brown as costume design mentor, and Max Guinn as lighting designer. 

The show will be performed at the Buzz Oats Black Box theatre located in the Communication Arts Building. Remaining shows will be February 20, 21, and 22 all at 7:30 p.m. Lee students, staff and faculty can check their email from Lee Theatre to find the code for a free ticket. For more information or to purchase tickets visit Lee Theatre on Eventbrite.

Alex Wright also contributed to this article.