NHS play written by Newcastle grad

Walter Sprague
Art and Culture Reporter
 
On Saturday, Jan. 25, the Newcastle High School Expressive Arts League will present the play “What Makes Us Human.” The play will be held twice during the day. The matinee will start at 2 p.m., and the evening performance will begin at 7 p.m. 
“I’m just there, most of the time. The students are doing all the work,” said Jimmie Josephson, the teacher who oversees the league. She said she is proud to see her students take the reins and approach the whole production with excitement and fun.
Written by 2019 Newcastle graduate Holly Dollison, the play presents a unique twist of the classic Jekyll and Hyde story. With a steampunk atmosphere, the plot follows the main character, played by Austen Kenny, who gets zapped by a strange machine. This bizarre accident splits his soul in two, and suddenly a darker side of himself is present and interacting with all the cast members. Part of the twist comes because this side of his personality takes on the appearance of his dead wife, played by Shelby Davis. The story turns ominous and foreboding as his most profound and darkest secrets are brought forward by this new character, with manic and hilarious results. And while there is plenty of gothic creepiness, much of the gloom is played tongue and cheek, just for laughs. 
“It’s very weird.” said Dollison. She said the play was a lot of fun to write. She started writing it in November 2018 and finished in February 2018. Dollison said she feels honored to have something that she wrote produced for the stage so soon.
The play will be at the Crouch Auditorium. While it is free to attend, there will be a table set up for those who wish to donate to Expressive Arts League.