The auditorium went dark. Silence crept over the audience. Everything was still. Then, amidst the emptiness, actress Judy Dixon strode down the aisle, singing a haunting rendition of Amazing Grace, only to soon depart from view. The show had begun.
UT Martin’s very own Vanguard Theatre presented its production of The Diviners at the Harriet Fulton Theatre on the first, second and third of November 2024. Written by Jim Leonard, Jr., the play consisted of two acts with a brief intermission in between them. Many of the Fine Arts students and faculty attended the event.
The play is set in the fictional small town of Zion, Indiana during the 1930s. It follows the young Buddy Layman, a mentally challenged boy who had developed a strange ability to find water after witnessing an accident in which his mother drowned. Out of fear, he had not bathed in a body of water since the occasion. A former minister, C.C. Showers, takes Buddy under his wing and tries to help the boy conquer his fears so he can bathe and heal from the ringworm that has enter his body. But while doing so, Showers faces the townspeople, who see his arriving as a “sign from God,” pressuring him to become a preacher and rebuild the church they had once lost. During the finale of the play, Showers tries to cure Buddy of his aquaphobia by bringing him down to the river, only to be interrupted by the townspeople. As Showers argues with them, Buddy gets swept away by the current and drowns before anyone can save him.
Even though the main story revolves around C.C. and Buddy’s relationship, the production acts more as a display of the varying lifestyles and perspectives of Southerners. The Hoover administration, the Great Depression, social norms, recent mechanical innovations and several other aspects of the time are often discussed by the cast, adding to the realism. All the characters were masterfully portrayed by their respective actors, whose performances perfectly encapsulated the mannerisms and accents of Southern individuals of different ages and occupations. Each of the actors was able to emulate a variety of emotions, whether said individual was performing in a comedic scene about dancing, or portraying a sorrowful and reflective such as Buddy’s passing.
All of this was complemented by a simple yet appealing set design courtesy Paul Pharris and Micah Barnes. The play did not involve many set changes or props, likely due to its simple setting and its large focus on the individual characters’ emotions and interactions. The costumes also complemented each member of the cast’s age and occupation. Every aspect of the presentation contributed to the rustic setting and the melancholic tone, thanks to the direction of Melanie Hollis.
Junior UT Martin student Duncan Hollis, who performed as C.C. Showers, described his journey as a performer. He said, “I fell in love with Theatre in high school. I am really comfortable being in front of a crowd…It kind of just naturally developed into wanting to perform with people. And I just like entertaining people.”
Freshman Allen Morris, who starred as Buddy Layman in the production, offered us an insight into why he joined the cast of The Diviners. Morris explained, “I had a friend…Mark…he just brought me along.”
This production was Morris’s introduction to acting. He continued, “I was like, ‘You know what, screw it! I’ll try out for it!’…and here I am. I got the role.”
Sophomore Madalene Sisemore is a newcomer to the Vanguard Theatre. She recommended that “people should come see the Vanguard Theatre productions because I think we always put on very thought-provoking shows and a…cast [which is] very talented here.”
Sisemore added, “People should come audition because…everyone on the cast is always…very supportive and encouraging of the decision to join the production…It’s always a very fun time.”
Accompanying the main cast was Zarek Mason as Ferris Layman, Judy Dixon as Norma Henshaw, Maggie Moffett as Darlene Henshaw, Paris Whisnant as Goldie Short, Allen Dumas as Basil Bennett, Emmie Porter as Luella Bennett, Kyeler Penick as Melvin Wilder and Mark Mathis as Dewey Maples.
In addition, the Creative Team included Light Designer Mak Sims, Publicity Manager Clay Palmer, VTA Administrative Assistant Karen Johnson, Stage Manager Cailyn Kopmeier and Makeup Beautician Rylee Wagner. The crew included students Bethany Sweeten, Joseph Hamer, Emilie Inga, Emma Martin and Zarek Mason.
The Vanguard Theatre plans to perform Seussical: The Musical in the spring 2025 semester.
