Welcom to Our Town!

Directed by Davis Haymes

Director's Note:

Thornton Wilder’s Our Town is considered by many to be one of the great American classics. Upon witnessing its performance today, it will be easy to see why. Over 85 years after the play’s first performance in 1938, each of the characters are still completely relatable to the people of today. The pressures of life; adolescence, adulthood, parenthood, school, romance, death, loss, work, Christian fellowship, purpose; can all be seen within the lives of the people living in Grover's Corners. Without a doubt, I know that you will identify with one, if not every one, of the townspeople as they live their lives before you, the audience.

Wilder wrote Our Town during a time where theatre was all about the theatrics. Flashing lights, huge dance numbers, incredible set designs, and happy-go-lucky stories were all meant to distract the theatre-goers from the realities of the War, Depression, and life in general. Is there not a similar trend happening in the arts today? This is why Our Town specifically calls to have no props, a minimalistic set, and very little music. Rather than distract his audience from life, he calls the audience to focus on life.

The students in HSP Performing Arts were presented quite a challenge when they were given this production, and I hold them to a standard of excellence -- not because it has to be perfect, but because I can see in them the exceptional.

Thank you for supporting these young artists and their work. Please, have a seat, lean in, and let us show you around Our Town.

In order of appearance...

Davis Haymes (Director) is a Virginia Beach based professional actor who received his BFA in Acting from Regent University. He is blessed to have been led to Homeschool Plus and cannot wait to share his love of Christ and the art form of theatre with his students! He will be assuming the position of Theatre Teacher at Homeschool Plus this fall, and his classes are currently open for registration. Haymes has been performing on stage for almost 15 years and has built a portfolio of over 20 plays, a handful of award winning short films, a feature length film, and numerous professional commercial credits. Haymes would like to thank: Jesus for the incredible opportunity to work with such devoted and gifted students; his precious wife Mia, who happens to be a theatre teacher as well, for her love and support throughout the process of the show; Ms. Carrie and the Rubinow family for connecting him to an amazing community; the student performers who put in so much work to make Our Town possible; and YOU for being here in support of young people who hope to glorify God with their artwork. Please, lean in and enjoy the wisdom and fun that goes on in HSP Performing Arts' Our Town!

Sarah Rubinow (Stage Manager) is 15 years old and in 9th grade. She is excited to perform the challenging role of the “Stage Manager." This is her eighth production and first non-musical play! Previously, she was is The Wizard of Oz Jr., Fiddler on the Roof Jr., Music Man Jr., Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr., and performed in HSP’s Narnia (2021) and Oliver! (2022). She is currently in Into the Woods Jr. as Cinderella with Quality Music and Dance. Aside from theatre, Sarah likes to spend her free time hula hooping, dancing, singing, and hanging out with friends and family. She would like to thank Mr. Davis, the cast and crew, her parents, and most of all God. Enjoy the show!

Juneau Frisbie Baade (Dr. Gibbs) is a 14 year old homeschooling student. Juneau has been in many plays at Homeschool Plus over the past 7 years, including roles in HSP Performing Arts' Narnia, the Musical, and Oliver! Juneau loves music - especially singing, playing piano, live performances, and musicals. Beyond performing arts, Juneau enjoys history, languages, writing, exploring, artistry, apologetics, critical thinking, comedy and satire. He would like to thank his first performing arts director, Lisa Hernandez, for getting him started; his vocal and piano teacher, Margaret McLewin, for her wise guidance and instruction; his parents for their love and support; and Mr. Davis for believing in him and all the cast of Our Town. Matthew 5:3-12, Matthew 18:6-9

Grace Medford (Joe Crowell) is a 14 year homeschooling student who has previously performed with HSP Performing Arts in Narnia, the Musical, and Oliver! She enjoys anything in the creative arts field - singing, art, acting, however her true passion is dancing, and she currently dances with Ballet Virginia.

Isabella Armbrust (Howie Newsome, Mic Assistant) is in 9th grade and in her first year at Homeschool Plus. She’s very happy to be a part of the show, and is thankful her parents made her take her first theatre class three years ago.

Ashley Covington (Mrs. Gibbs) is a freshman in high school and has been attending HSP for seven years. When she’s not doing theater (which isn’t often) she enjoys dancing, including ballet, tap, and jazz at Elevate Performing Arts Center, writing, reading, drawing, and hanging out with animals. She’s been in several productions before, including Narnia - as a dancer/ ensemble (HSP), Oliver! - as Mrs. Sowerberry/ensemble (HSP), StarStruck - as Amy (Stonebridge), and many more. She would like to thank Mr. Davis for being an awesome director (and DEFINITELY NEVER forgetting where he put his script 8 billion times), Ms. Debbie Garrick for THE BEST voice lessons, Mrs. Rubinow, her friends, and her family, especially her mom and dad for putting up with her non-stop reenactments and singing of musicals at home.

Emma Ferguson (Mrs. Webb) is 19 years old and is in her senior year at HSP. Her introduction to theater was through the HSP production of Narnia where she acted in the ensemble and worked as assistant stage manager. She also played Widow Corney in HSP’s Oliver. She has worked as stage manager and assistant director for smaller shows in and outside of HSP. Emma will be playing the role of Mrs. Myrtle Webb in Our Town, and she is thrilled to be a part of the amazing cast and crew. Outside of school and theater, Emma enjoys reading, spending time with friends, crocheting, and working with kids. She wishes to thank Carrie Rubinow and Davis Haymes for helping her grow in her skills as an actress.

Elliott Johnson (George Gibbs) is 18 years old and a homeschooled senior. Though not a student at HSP, he was graciously given the opportunity to participate in HSP's Oliver last year, and is grateful for being invited back to perform in Our Town. Some of Elliott's favorite previous roles include: "Harold Hill" in The Music Man Jr. "Hans" in Frozen Jr. and "Beast" in Beauty and the Beast Jr. all with TADA. He thanks his friends, family, and HSP for their support.

Elianna Yopp (Rebecca Gibbs) is 13 years old in 7th grade at Homeschool Plus. This is her sixth year participating in HSP Performing Arts. Elianna has previously enjoyed playing roles in Narnia, the Musical, and Oliver! When not in theatre, Elianna also loves art. She would like to thank Mr. Davis and Mrs. Rubinow for their help and for making this an amazing experience!

Jonathan Sandow (Wally Webb) is a freshman at Homeschool Plus. He’s so grateful for the opportunity the Lord has given him to be part of the theatre program this year and has loved working with his fellow “townspeople” on this play. Jonathan received the Robert Micah Hall Award in 2022 for his performance of the lead role in Not Your Average Joe. He’s also had the privilege of student teaching the kids in Mrs. Rubinow’s younger theatre class. Outside of acting, Jonathan enjoys baking, hooping, and drawing. He’d like to thank Mrs. Rubinow for welcoming him into the world of theatre, and Mr. Davis for being an amazing director.

Charlotte Sandow (Emily Webb) is a high school senior at Homeschool Plus. Our Town is the first play she has participated in since performing a bit part in a middle school production of The Fairy Tale Network, and she is grateful to be part of HSP Performing Arts. Charlotte enjoys traveling, black coffee, taking walks, cinnamon rolls, and sketching. After graduation, she will be attending Liberty University to study studio and digital arts.

Anduin Harriet Lavender McLewin (Professor Willard) is a senior. She has three brothers and one sister. She is also quite extroverted. Because of this she loves to talk with her friends as much as possible. Storytelling games are a fun activity for her. Drawing is one of her favorite hobbies, and she draws just about every day. She would love to have a career in either acting or makeup work. She also loves hooping because she enjoys performing fascinating tricks. Honesty is one of her key morals.

Micah Hall (Mr. Webb) is 17 years old and an 11th grader who attends Virginia Virtual Academy, and helps student teach and is in the Homeschool Plus theater class. He enjoys video games, theater, and is heavily involved in production at church. He has also done many things on and off stage: Oliver (Bill Sikes/Backstage crew 2022 HSP), Annie (Production Consult 2022 NCS), Not your Average Joe (Production HSP 2022), HSP Improv show (Actor HSP 2022). He also runs and has interned doing production at Trinity Church Reston Campus.

Kara Savery (Foley Artist/Townsperson) is 15 years old and in her fourth year at Homeschool Plus. She had the opportunity to preform in Peter Pan Jr., Aladdin Jr., Narnia, and Oliver, and is excited for her roles in Our Town. She would like to thank her parents for giving her the opportunity to be in another production, and Mrs. Rubinow who has been there every step of the way.

Rachael Ann Covington (Mrs. Soames) is in her junior year at Homeschool Plus. Rachael has been in multiple previous plays with HSP Performing Arts, including Narnia the Musical where she played the White Witch, and Oliver! where she played Nancy. She loves to participate in any kind of performing arts activity and has had the wonderful opportunity to do several other productions around Hampton Roads. Outside of theatre, Rachael loves to hang out with her friends and family, work on school assignments, dance, play piano, watch football, and do anything exciting! She would like to thank Mr. Davis, Mrs. Rubinow, and all the other wonderful people who made this production possible! Romans 8:28

Bethany Mariella Hall (Simone Stimson) is a graduating Senior from Virginia Virtual Academy. Bethany has previously acted at HSP Performing Arts in Oliver! as Mrs. Bedwin and an ensemble member. Her larger experience lies in many years of singing, particularly worship leading at her church and student ministry, Trinity Church. She has additionally been part of many different choirs. Apart from theater, Bethany is very fond of singing, dancing, the beach, spending time with family and friends, and serving at her church. This school year Bethany has been rooted in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

Clara Stephens (Constable Warren) is 15 years old, and in her third year as a theatre student at Homeschool Plus. She enjoys creating with clay, drawing, anime, and theatre. Clara previously has done the tech side of theatre for Oliver!, she was the Fox in Narnia (2021) and had various Shakespearean roles through Shakespeare Kids in California. She is looking forward to performing in Our Town and would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her.

Madeline Gibson (Si Crowell and A Woman Among The Dead) is 14 years old, in her first year at Homeschool Plus. She enjoys singing, reading, and acting. She has also performed in A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Two Gentlemen of Verona. She would like to thank her mom and dad for supporting her this far, and her cat for being a good cuddle buddy.

Jordyn Thomas (Sam Craig) is a 14 year old 9th grader. This is her third school year enjoying classes at Homeschool Plus and her third performance with HSP Performing Arts. Jordyn has performed in Oliver (HSP) as the Rose Seller, Narnia (HSP) as Mrs. Beaver, Madagascar Jr. (Atlantic Shores Christian School) as Marty, Flat Stanley, Jr. (ASCS) as Bikini Wahine, and Pinocchio Jr. (ASCS). Jordyn enjoys singing and hanging out with her friends and family. Jordyn would like to thank her family, Mrs. R., and Mr. Davis for their encouragement, love, and support.

Wesley Ferguson (Joe Stoddard) is a junior at Homeschool Plus. In the past he has appeared in HSP’s productions of Narnia and Oliver! In his spare time, he enjoys Legos, making stop-action shorts, and exploring the coastline near his house. He would like to thank Mr. Davis for pushing his class to do their very best for Our Town.

Benjamin Rubinow (Sound Tech & Mics) has been homeschooled all of his life except for kindergarten and second grade. This is his 4th year at HSP and he is a graduating senior. This is his third show assisting with sound at HSP Performing Arts (and his first doing mics). Most of his childhood consisted of catching animals from insects to reptiles, spending time outdoors, and occasionally taking apart various devices and appliances to learn how they work. He is very grateful that he has been homeschooled over the years because he was able to bond with his four siblings, pursue his interests, and gained a greater appreciation for life. After he graduates, he plans on taking a gap year while attending classes at Tidewater Community College. He then will likely pursue something with wildlife conservation and/or electrical engineering while traveling to random places and finding cool animals.

Luther Yopp (Lighting Board Operator) is in the 7th grade and is thrilled to be working with HSP Performing Arts as a lighting tech. His first experience working backstage was for Oliver! This year he has had the opportunity to work lights for Not Your Average Joe and Our Town. Outside backstage work for theatre, Luther enjoys gardening, fishing, and everything outdoors.

A very special THANK YOU to the following crew and volunteers with Our Town who have given so much to this production!

Costumes: Sara Bethune (Costume Director & Designer), Nobie Meyers, Sophia Rickards, Abigail Deulle, Anne Wilson

Set Designer, Lighting Designer: Doug Bethune

Voice Coach: Margaret McLewin

Photography and Design: Danelle Frisbie

Hair: Daysha Clark, Nobie Meyers, Mia Haymes

Make-up Consultants: Kathleen Yopp, Bethany Hall

House Manager & Ticketing: Heather Strock

Audition Assisting: Hannah Larum, Kenna Crib, Margaret McLewin

Concessions: Michelle Armbrust, Clifton Lewis, Carrie Rubinow

Concession Stand Items: Armbrust Family, Audrey Renn

Ushers: Carrie Rubinow, Scott Savery, Susan Savery, Audrey Renn, Clifton Lewis, Michelle Armbrust, Jason Ferguson, Katy Stephens

Security: Jon Covington, Tom Stephens

Mics: S&S Production Services, LLC

And enormous gratitude to CoVA Church and Pastor Essex Moore for providing their wonderful building for HSP Performing Arts and Our Town! Learn more about Coastal Virginia Church at CoVAChurch.com