by Justine Santos

        Knightdale Repertory Theatre presented Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird in the Knightdale Auditorium during the third week of November. As a required reading for freshman, there was a showing on Tuesday morning on November 17^th and students were able to see the book come alive. The play opened to the public on November 18^th and ran until November 21^st.

          The star of the show, Atticus Finch, projected maturity in his dapper cream colored suit and graying hair. Jacob Cooper, who took on this role, commanded the stage during both the family and court case scenes. He made the audience feel the weight of Atticus’ responsibilities as a father and a lawyer defending a black man in a racist society. Cooper was full of passion during his powerful monologue; justice radiated off of him and it felt so real. Mrs. Ingerham, an English teacher in Knightdale at the Wednesday night audience said, “It was impressive. Atticus Finch was soulful.”

        The chemistry between the whole cast was perfect, from the brother-sister relationship of Jem and Scout, who were played by Jason Corder and Julia Ryan, to the fatherly connection between Atticus and the children. The children provided comic relief throughout the play, and Dill, played by Dylan Yates, had great physical comicality. The cast was able to showcase this mature work without overdoing it. Every single actor was in character throughout the play, drawing the audience into the action. When Tom Robinson, who was played by Andrew Coleman, watched accusers on the witness stand you could read the hurt in his face and body language.

        Not only was the acting of To Kill a Mockingbird great, the technical aspects of the play were fantastic. The play switched smoothly from the town scene to the elaborate court house in the space of three minutes. The set pieces were beautifully detailed. When the verdict of the case was announced it was a powerful moment – sound and lighting added depth and emotion to the acting; you could physically see and feel the weight of the sentence in both Atticus and the colored section of the court. This play was a must see, and showed the growth and evolution of Knightdale Repertory Theatre. Aryelle Santos, a member of the crew said, “It was stressful in the beginning, but it really turned out good.”