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2021-2022 Season

Remembering the HFAC

Letters, pictures, voice recordings, journals, videos. There are so many ways to remember and communicate our experiences long after we or the people and the places we made the memories with are gone. Jane Austen wrote not only novels and poems, but also many letters and journals. Unfortunately for us, most of her personal writings were burned by her sister Cassandra upon Jane Austen’s death to keep Jane’s personal life private. Additionally, throughout Pride and Prejudice, letters are used as confessions of love, anger, and sadness.

As we say goodbye to our beloved building, I invite you to remember and share your experiences here. Respond to as many or as few of the following prompts as you wish. If you are willing, share some pictures (with dates and captions) as well.

What was your first impression of the building?

Do you have a favorite room? Why?

What was the hardest thing you experienced in this building?

What was the happiest thing you experienced in this building?

How did you spend your time at the HFAC?

What rules did you break here? What rules did you make here?

What have you learned in the building?

What friendships were made here?

What do you like about this building?

What makes you laugh about this building?

When have you laughed hardest in this building?

What do you want people to remember about this building?

Write a poem or an ode to the building

Google form submission: https://bit.ly/hfacmemories

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Meet the Cast - Rachelle Elbert & Jack Shapiro

July 26, 2022 12:00 AM
By Kristen Leinbach, Dramaturg As we continue to move through the rehearsal process, it still amazes how much we are learning from this show. Rachelle Elbert and Jack Shapiro, members of the ensemble, shared the following about their experiences with the show... "The Light in the Piazza has been an escape for me (Rachelle Elbert). Being surrounded by beautiful music, passionate characters and actors, and the vivacity of the Italian culture has provided an insight into a whole new world that soothes the heart and soul. I have had the chance to experience both the bold Italian life and the sweet southern innocence as an ensemble member and Clara's understudy. As I've discovered who Clara is, her light and purity has slowly peeled away the layers and walls that I've built up throughout my own life. I feel a new light in my life, a new found appreciation for the unknown, and find beauty and sympathy in the strangest of places. I have become more comfortable with vulnerability and free expression and it's literally the greatest feeling in the world. Being apart of the beautiful production Light in the Piazza has been emotionally and spiritually fulfilling, and has opened my eyes to a realm of theater I never knew before." [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Piazza Rehearsal - Right to Left
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Carpe Diem With the Bright Young Things

July 26, 2022 12:00 AM
By Amelia Johnson, assistant dramaturg World War I had drastic consequences. Many had lost family members and friends in battle. Those who fought in the battle and survived were affected emotionally if not physically. As a result of of fighting in the war 250,000 soldiers suffered a full or partial amputation. The generation who had just missed the age of being drafted felt extremely lucky. Seeing so many die from the war and Spanish influenza in such a small time period made everyone very aware that life is short. This impacted the younger generation. They felt the need to live life to the fullest for themselves and for those who no longer had the chance to. [caption id="attachment_5293" align="alignnone" width="300"] An extravagant party thrown with the spirit of the Bright Young Things.[/caption] With this sentiment, the Bright Young Things or the Bright Young People became an active group in society. Wealthy young aristocrats and socialites, the Bright Young Things rebelled against the values that they and their parents had been brought up with so that they could enjoy living. Their parent’s values had done nothing to protect them from the terror that the war had brought, so what was the purpose in playing by the rules? Life was mean to be enjoyed. [caption id="attachment_5291" align="alignnone" width="243"] A waiter experiences shock as a young woman publicly smokes a cigarette.[/caption] The Bright Young Things threw elaborate parties and participated in car races and treasure hunts. They also drank, smoke, and used drugs. Concerned only with what was fun, they gave no thought to what was proper. Their behavior caught the attention of journalists who were very interested in reporting their wild antics to the public. It is with the Bright Young Things that paparazzi originated, as reporters would follow individuals from this group of young people to get a good stories. Because of how much these individuals appeared in the press, many of the names of the Bright Young Things are still known to this day. [caption id="attachment_5289" align="alignnone" width="217"] Nancy Mitford. One of the known Bright Young Things who later became a novelist.[/caption] As you watch Chariots of Fire, pay attention to behaviors that may be associated with the Bright Young Things. In comparison, Harold and Eric were a little different then the young people at this time. Both found their fun in running and focused their efforts on this. Eric also found joy through the religious work he did. These men seized the day in their own way.
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