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Dalton’s fall play brings audience into courtroom

The Drama Dawgs’ fall play “The Night of January 16th” stars, from left, Leah Lehman, Caleb Hofstetter, Pressli Hershberger (judge), Brendan Lehman (standing), and Amara Horner.

Nolan Miller

 

Photos by ROBERT McCUNE | DGKN

DALTON  What happened the night of Jan. 16?

Instead of sitting back in their seats this weekend in the Dalton High School auditorium and letting the fall production unfold before their eyes, audience members are offered the opportunity in “The Night of January 16th” to feel like they are part of the show – and even get up on stage.

Senior Callie Jones, who plays the part of defense lawyer, Ms. Lee, explained that the play does not follow the typical structure of a play.

“There are three acts, and most of the characters are sitting in the audience,” she wrote in an emailed response last week before opening night. “I really like the individuality of the play.”

“The Night of January 16th” by Ayn Rand is a “gripping drama about the rise and destruction of a brilliant and ruthless man,” according to concordtheatricals.com. At the same time, “it is a superb dramatic objectification of Ayn Rand’s vision of human strength and weakness.”

The play is showing at 7 p.m. Nov. 18 and 19 at Dalton High School’s auditorium, 177 N Mill St., Dalton. Tickets are available at the door and may be reserved online and by calling the school.

Senior Marley Clark, who also plays a defense attorney, Mrs. Stevens, agreed the play is different than anything the young actors have performed in their high school careers.

“Because of how the audience is involved, the way it is set up, and because it is not your typical “fall production” that we put on most years, it was a challenge to get things to click,” Clark wrote in an email. “The past few weeks have involved a lot of hard work, some tears, many laughs, but most importantly, we have all come together to make this the best show possible. I have had so much fun watching the play shape together and am beyond excited to perform it for the community!”

Read the complete story in the Nov. 16 edition.

 

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