By Erica Moore, Weakley Co. Schools Communications Director
Dresden, Tenn.–The Weakley Playhouse has been keeping a big secret.
The playhouse group, made up of students from around the county, will be presenting Trap, a mysterious play by Stephen Gregg on November 3-5. This is the first of six shows that the Weakley Playhouse has planned for this school year.
The cast of the play isn’t disclosing any details about the plot, nor the conclusion of the one-act show.
The only eerie specifics are that the play takes place in a fictional town in California, and a mysterious event has occurred at a theater. Through interviews with witnesses, loved ones, first responders, and the investigators pursuing the case, a theatre ensemble brings the story of the strange event to life, documentary-style. But as the strands weave together into an increasingly dangerous web, it becomes clear that this phenomenon might not be entirely in the past.
The show is so shrouded in mystery that cast members won’t divulge any details about the production.
Gleason School senior Zowie Tipton conveyed that the show is one-of-a-kind.
“It’s certainly an original play. It holds the interest of the audience,” Tipton relayed.
Tipton said that Trap is a great first show for new members of the playhouse troupe.
“We have several new playhouse students, and this play has been a particularly good one to bring them out of their shells. I love how students from all of the county’s schools are involved in Weakley Playhouse. It really feels like a unit and a family. We’ve had a lot of fun working on this show,” Tipton said.
Westview High freshman Rebecca Jones is one of those newcomers to the playhouse team. She believes that her experience working with the group has increased her confidence.
“My performance in this play will be my first ever. I won’t tell you any of the details of the play. I can only tell you that I have a louder role that’s helped me become more… expressive. It’s honestly helped increase my confidence in my life overall. It’s an immersive play, and it’s one I don’t think you’ll forget,” said Jones.
Westview Teacher and Coach Chris Mason is also part of the Trap production.
“I have been so impressed by the Weakley Playhouse students and crew of this production. They’ve put in tremendous work. I’m looking forward to being a part of the success of the show,” Mason relayed.
The cast of Trap includes Jeremiah Britt, Thomas Brown, Leah Craddock, Annabelle Cuello, Xochiquetzal (Xochi) Gutierrez, Olivia Haskins, Isabella Jimerson, Rebecca Jones, Taylor Longacre, Tyler McCollum, Natalie Merritt, Garret Moore, Matthew Oliver, Lexia Sawyers, Emily Scott, Deborah Shaw, Sullivan Stooksberry, Zowie Tipton, Drake Uselton, Diamyne Vilchis, and Lena Zimmerman.
Trap crew member and Westview High Junior Sam Butero is working in stage lighting for the production.
“This has been a very enjoyable show for us who work in lighting – challenging, but fun,” Butero said. “Trap is different from other shows. It’s very meta. It’s something you have to come see. It’s an experience.”
All performances of Trap will be held in the Westview High School Theater. Show times are Friday, November 3 at 7PM; Saturday, November 4 at 2PM and 7PM; and Sunday, November 5 at 2PM. Make plans to uncover the mystery by purchasing tickets in advance at weakleyplays.ludus.com, with general admission ticket prices at $5.00.
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