CHS to present “Sense and Sensibility”

High School Play

The Concordia High School Drama Department has put the finishing touches on its newest production: Jane Austen's 'Sense and Sensibility'.
The play, published in 1811 and set in England, is a coming-of-age story about the Dashwood sisters - Elinor, age 19; Marianne, 16; and Margaret, 13 - who have to deal with their difficult older brother John. Due to the death of their father, the sisters must move to a modest home overseen by John. They experience love, romance, and heartbreak as they try to navigate through the hardships of their new life.
Astoria Kindel, a sophomore at CHS, plays the lead role of Elinor and was nervous about her performance at first.
"I was excited when I got the part," Kindel said. "Then I saw how many lines I had to memorize and I got nervous. But once we started to rehearse I really felt good about it."
Kindel finds the complexity of the Elinor character the most interesting part of the role.
"I like how she pretends to be the cool, level-headed sister," Kindel said.  "But then her emotions sometimes get the best of her."
Fatima Nava portrays the younger sister Marianne, and was also initially nervous about her role.
"I want to do really well," she said. "I want to portray the character the way it was meant to be."
CHS Drama instructor Chris Stiles has complete faith in his young casts' ability to perform a period piece of theater.
"This is the first really big part for both of our leads," Stiles said. "But they've worked really hard, and I have a lot of faith in them. They'll do a good job."
Stiles has never before attempted the popular Austen play with a high school cast, but he is impressed with how the production has taken shape.
"I just love the classics; I love Jane Austen's language," he said. "It's a different type of play but it's really fun and I think people will enjoy it."
Opening night for the production is Thursday, March 7th, at 7 p.m. in the CHS auditorium. The play will also be performed on Friday and Saturday, March 8-9, at 7 p.m.