By Caroline Martz ‘25

Wofford Theatre will showcase its fall production, “The Amateurs” by Jordan Harrison, at 7 p.m., Nov. 7-9 and Nov. 13-16. The show is directed by Abigail Dillard, assistant professor of theatre.

“The Amateurs” tells the story of a courageous group of pageant players as they race across medieval Europe to flee the Black Death. They prepare a retelling of Noah's flood in the structure of a play within a play for the Duke of Travo in an attempt to seek shelter from the plague. The performance showcases themes such as survival, faith, art and self-fulfillment, which will resonate across a broad audience. 

As the play advances, the plague that the characters are fleeing begins to resemble a more recent plague from the 80s, which Dillard says “will cause today’s audiences to draw personal connections to the crises of our own century.” The recurring theme within the show is the “art of survival,” which is seen as the characters rely on their creative outlets to survive the plague.

The theatre department has been working on this performance since the second week of the academic year. The cast and designers have practiced roles, built the set, designed costumes, configured lighting and sound and much more.

“The students involved in this production truly bring the performance to life,” says Dillard. “They have poured so much time and dedication into this performance.”

Admission to “The Amateurs” is $12 for the public, $10 for Wofford employees and $5 for students.

“Overall, I think this show could appeal to a wide range of people,” says Dillard. “The format, with its layered play-within-a-play style, is a great introduction to theater for students, showcasing all the inner workings of a show, both backstage and onstage, and guiding audiences in real time to see how a production comes together. It also speaks to historians who might enjoy spotting historical anachronisms, religious studies scholars interested in early biblical dramatizations and anyone who might connect with characters striving to move from fear to a life filled with promise.” 

Cast list: 

Larking: Marshall Cain ’28, Atlanta, Ga.

Hollis: Mary-Michael O’Hara ’25, Huger, S.C.

Gregory: Jack Tope ’26, Decatur, Ga.

Rona: Harper Morgan ’26, Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Brom: Stokes Graham ’28, Rock Hill, S.C.

The Physic: JT Terry ’28, Springfield, Pa. 

Designer list: 

Stage manager: Josie Thillet ’26, Charlotte, N.C.

Assistant stage manager: Taylor Jordan ’27, Florence, S.C.

Scenic: David "KW" Kenworthy, technical director

Costumes: Mary-Michael O'Hara ’25, Huger, S.C.

Lighting: Malaki Mackey ’25, Atlanta, Ga.

Props: Liana Giannopoulos ’25, Greer, S.C.

Sound: Abigail Dillard, assistant professor of theatre

Crew: Jacob Miner ’27, Charleston, S.C.