An original musical premiering at EMU’s MainStage Theater this week brings audiences the captivating, never-before-seen story of a Russian poet, nun and saint who saved countless lives during World War II and was killed for it. Created by EMU professors Jerry Holsopple and Justin Poole, “On the Breath of God: The Life of Maria Skobtsova” runs from Friday-Saturday, March 28-29 @ 7 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, April 3-5 @ 7 p.m.; and on Sunday, March 30 @ 2 p.m.

The sweeping drama traces the remarkable life of Skobtsova, played by EMU senior Reah Clymer, from impetuous teen to chain-smoking nun who sheltered refugees and helped many Jews escape Nazi-occupied Paris. Known as “Mother Maria,” she was arrested and sent to the Ravensbrück concentration camp, where she was executed.

“You really see the arc to Maria’s life,” Poole said. “By the end of the play, you’re completely invested in who she is, and you see this dramatic transformation she goes through.”

The fourth collaboration between Holsopple and Poole, “On the Breath of God” brings together a multigenerational cast and crew of EMU students, alumni, faculty/staff and community members. The musical features a chorus of four women mystics from history, singing lyrics taken directly from their texts to Celtic folk melodies, performed by musicians Perry Blosser ’18 (violin), Benjamin Brantley (guitar), and Dirk Holsopple ’10 (Uilleann pipes). These mystics, played by students Elie Hoover and Erin Batten and alumnae Caitlin Holsapple ’16 and Elizabeth Eby ’22, surround Skobtsova during pivotal moments in her life. Though invisible to her, they influence her decisions through their words.

“Celtic music is able to hold trauma and hope together,” Holsopple said. “That’s what this story is. It’s the story of a woman who endured all kinds of trauma and never lost the ability to have hope and keep doing what she believed was right, up until the very end.”

Clymer delivers a masterful performance as Skobtsova, pouring her soul into the multifaceted character, capturing her playfulness, fierceness and suffering. “Mother Maria lived a tough life,” Clymer said. “She lost two daughters, went through two divorces, lived through war and displacement and deportation, and was thrown in jail multiple times. I’ve had to go there, emotionally, in every rehearsal.”

The set design is minimalist yet imaginative. Backlit stained glass panels form the backdrop, paired with an animated collage of photos projected onto two screens. While most characters in the play wear neutral-toned, period-specific clothing, with Skobtsova dressed in a Russian Orthodox nun’s habit, the mystics don flowing robes accented with pops of color. Frequent EMU Theatre collaborator Rachel Herrick returns as costume designer. Rounding out the crew are Shannon Dove (technical director and set design), Robert Weaver (light designer), Tom Carr (sound technician), and Sarah Peak (stage manager), among others.

Despite the play’s early- to mid-20th century setting, Clymer said its themes are just as relevant today. “This story is so timely,” she said. “It’s about immigration. It’s about refugees. It’s about war and political turmoil.”

Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, $10 for children 18 and under, and $6 for university students. For tickets, visit:

Read a preview of the play from the Daily News-Record .

Cast

Liz “Maria” Skobtsova – Reah Clymer
Sophia – Melody Wilson
Jura/Sailor – Ross Haun
Alexander Blok/Captain/Father Dimitri – Adam Hoover
Dmitri/Daniil/Peters – Joe Seitz
Father/Metropolitan – Shannon Dove
Evgenia/Klara – Kay Pettus 
Ana/Ida – Alexis Lewis
Gardener/Father Kern/SS Officer – Nathanael Eby
Lyuba/Nun at Lourmel House/Inna – Cassidy Walker
Nun/Irena – Emilee White
Therese of Lisieux/Hildegard of Bingen – Elie Hoover
Hadewijch of Flanders – Elizabeth Eby
Mechthild of Magdeburg – Caitlyn Holsapple 
Julian of Norwich/Theresa of Avila – Erin Batten
Young Liz/Giana – Vienna Poole
Young Giana/Nastia – Felicity Poole

Crew

Co-creator – Justin Poole
Co-creator – Jerry Holsopple
Costume designer – Rachel Herrick
Technical Director/Set Design – Shannon Dove
Light Designer – Robert Weaver 
Sound Technician – Tom Carr
Stage Manager – Sarah Peak
Assistant Stage Manager – Jordyn Thompson 
Video Production Assistant – Zack Furr
Video Production Assistant – Oslyn Mejia Gomez
Cast and Crew Photographer/Video Production Assistant – Cassidy Walker
Video Production Assistant – Willem Hedrick 
Video Production Assistant – Allie Watkins

Musicians

Violin – Perry Blosser
Guitar – Benjamin Brantley
Irish Pipes – Dirk Holsopple

The musical, adapted from Riordan’s 2005 bestseller, debuted on Broadway in 2019 and follows the journey of Percy Jackson, an underachieving teen who discovers he’s a demigod. Played by EMU senior Adam Hoover, Percy is accused of stealing Zeus’ lightning bolt, leading him on a quest with his friends Grover, portrayed by Mac Rhodes-Lehman, and Annabeth, played by Ella Walters, to clear his name and prevent a war between the Greek gods. Along the way, Percy must face mythological monsters and unravel the mysteries of his heritage.

Directed by EMU Theatre Program Director Justin Poole, with music direction by Jim Clemens and costume design by Rachel Herrick, the production delivers an action-packed adventure filled with humor, heart, and high-energy performances. Rounding out the artistic staff are Robert Weaver (lighting designer), Shannon Dove (set designer/technical director) and Ellie de Waal (choreographer).

The electrifying score, performed by Clemens on keyboard alongside a live rock band, will energize the intimate theater space, while larger-than-life puppetry and choreographed sword fights enhance the mythical spectacle.

Senior Cassidy Williams portrays Luke and Ares, delivering dynamic performances that combine vocal range and physical prowess. “Singing while sword fighting is no easy feat,” said Williams. “It’s been a rewarding challenge to portray such complex characters.”

Senior Alexis Lewis serves as assistant director and production assistant. “This show offers a fresh, punk rock twist on classic Greek myths,” Lewis said. “It’s packed with fun, upbeat moments that will appeal to longtime fans and newcomers alike.”

The cast, composed of EMU students and community members, will interact with the audience throughout the production, using the entire Studio Theater space for an immersive experience. “It’s a highly dynamic production,” said Poole. “There are no barriers between the cast and the audience—they’ll be performing from the stage, the mezzanine, and even within the crowd.”

Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, $10 for children 18 and under, and $6 for university students. For tickets, visit:

Cast
Percy Jackson — Adam Hoover
Annabeth Chase — Ella Walters
Annabeth Understudy/Silena Beauregard — Emilee White
Grover/Mr.D — Mac Rhodes-Lehman
Luke/Ares — Cassidy Williams
Sally Jackson/The Oracle — Emma Saville
Clarisse/Mrs.Dodds/Medusa/Charon — Elie Hoover
Chiron/Kronos — Ezra Smith
Gabe Ugliani/Hades/Poseidon — Jacob Nissley
Katie Gardner/Various ensemble roles — Saycia Szakonyi
Various ensemble roles — Katie Beth Warner

Crew
Director — Justin Poole
Music Director — Jim Clemens
Assistant Director/Promotions Assistant/Production Assistant — Alexis Lewis
Vocal Coach — Afton Rhodes-Lehman
Technical Director and Set Designer — Shannon Dove
Costume Designer — Rachel Herrick
Light Designer — Robert Weaver
Choreographer — Ellie de Waal
Stage Manager — Sarah Peak
Assistant Stage Manager — Erin Batten
Assistant Stage Manager — River Lynch

For girls into soccer:

Nike Girls Soccer Camp

For: Girls ages 5 to 13
Date: Monday, June 10, to Friday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Fee: $215
More info:
This camp offers a unique and engaging environment where girls ages 5 to 13 can have fun learning new skills, perfecting techniques, increasing their knowledge of the game and making new friends. Royals Head Women’s Soccer Coach Anna Hardin and her staff lead a curriculum blending traditional and modern coaching methods to help every camper progress to a higher level of soccer play.

For children interested in theatre:

Summer Musical Theatre

Students develop their skills in acting, singing and dancing in a supportive environment of highly-skilled, award-winning professionals and college faculty. EMU Theatre Program Director Justin Poole and resident choreographer Ellie de Waal lead two three-week musical theatre intensives, each culminating in public performances of a major musical production. More info at emu.edu/summer-musical-theatre.

Junior Program
For: Rising 4th-8th graders
Date: Monday, June 24, to Saturday, July 13. Mondays to Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Final shows on Friday, July 12, and Saturday, July 13, at 7 p.m.
Fee: $1,000 includes three weeks of instruction and rehearsal and two public performances
Deadline to register: June 14
Students explore the world of musical theatre and perform two musical revue shows in this three-week program. Auditions are not required.

Senior Program
For: Rising 9th-2024 high school graduates
Date: Monday, July 22, to Sunday, Aug. 11. Mondays to Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Final shows on Friday, Aug. 9, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 10, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 11, at 2 p.m.
Fee: $1,200 includes full days of instruction and rehearsal as well as three public performances
Deadline to register: July 12
Students can choose between a dedicated three-week performance track or technical theatre track, culminating in the presentation of Seussical the Musical in the MainStage Theatre. Students in the performance track will engage in all morning classes and rehearsals and perform on stage. Those in the technical theatre track will engage in all morning classes and work with the costume designer, technical director, stage management team and others to support the production in all technical areas.

For children who like the visual arts:

Summer Art Academy

For: Ages 8-11
Date: Monday, June 17, to Friday, June 21 (first week); Monday, June 24, to Friday, June 28 (second week). Classes for both weeks are held from 9 a.m. to noon.
Fee: $180 per week of classes
More info: emu.edu/summer-art-academy
Cyndi Gusler, professor of visual arts at EMU, leads small classes for children as they explore the world of drawing and painting. Students in the Amazing Animals and Beautiful Botanicals class (first week) hike a trail, collect sketches on a nature walk and use that inspiration to make paintings and drawings full of vibrant color. Students in the Acrylic and Watercolor Painting class (second week) will improve their painting technique, build their artistic imagination and learn to paint from life in EMU’s art studio and outside on its beautiful campus.

For children who are science-minded:

Solar Solutionary Camp

For: Rising 8th-12th graders
Date: Monday, June 10, to Friday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fee: $250
More info: emu.edu/graduate/continuing-and-professional-education/solar-solutionary-camp
Campers will take field trips to local solar facilities and learn about solar energy as they build and deploy a to Africa for those without access to electricity. Students will gain a better understanding of the problems surrounding energy access and the threat of climate change. They will be divided into teams — assembly engineers, quality control engineers, reporters, community relations, and artists — and each team will have a set of tasks essential to the deployment of the solar suitcase.

Solar Solutionary Camp is in collaboration with the JMU Center for the Advancement of Sustainable Energy. 

Based on Disney’s beloved 1989 animated classic, the stage musical premiered on Broadway in 2008. Ariel, a young mermaid princess played by senior Afton Rhodes-Lehman, dreams of the world above the sea and falls in love with a human, Prince Eric — played by senior Thaddeus Jackson — much to the dismay of her father, King Triton. She makes a deal with Ursula, a half-octopus sea witch played by community member Holly Hanks Wanta, and gives up her voice in exchange for a chance to become human and win Prince Eric’s heart. But, she only has three days to find true love; if she fails in her quest, her soul will belong to Ursula. 

“It’s been an exciting new world to dive into,” said Rhodes-Lehman, who grew up wearing Ariel-themed bracelets and sketching pictures of the Disney princess in her notebooks. “I feel like every kid grows up with that one movie idol and for me it was Ariel. Although, this version of Ariel is deeper and more fleshed-out than the one in the movies.”

The show is directed and produced by EMU Theatre Program Director Justin Poole with music direction from EMU faculty member Kyle Remnant and longtime collaborators Angie Clemens and Jim Clemens. It features a multigenerational cast and crew ranging in age from elementary through high school, as well as EMU students, staff, alumni and community members. Rounding out the artistic staff are EMU student Thomas Erickson (light operator), EMU faculty/staff members Shannon Dove (tech director) and Rachel Herrick (costume designer), EMU alums Jareya Harder ’22 (stage manager) and Robert Weaver ’18 (lighting designer), guest sound technician Tom Carr and resident choreographer Ellie de Waal.

The show features crowd-pleasing hits such as “Under the Sea,” “Part of Your World” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” and a number of new songs only found in the musical.

“It’s an immersive experience with a Broadway score that has a gravitas and beauty that surpasses what you find in both film adaptations,” said Poole, adding that there is plenty of interaction between the audience and cast. “It truly feels like a big Broadway production in terms of the musical and dance numbers.”

A painted backdrop behind the stage allows for cutouts and puppets to add another dimension to the story. The show opens with a group of children in front of the backdrop playing out scenes from “The Little Mermaid” with character puppets. As the overture music swells, the play comes to life on a stage that is transformed into an underwater world featuring sea creatures and three-fourths of the set made from recycled materials and found objects.

A treasure chest doubles as a sailing ship gliding across the stage on wheels. An assortment of umbrellas, rakes and beach balls piece together to form a giant fish during a rendition of “Under the Sea.” When Ariel is saving Prince Eric from his shipwreck, an enormous piece of white fabric combined with strobe lights faithfully recreates the effects of a thunderstorm at sea.

“We’re putting on a massive, elaborate spectacle on a shoestring budget,” said Poole. “That’s the magic of it.”

The musical is geared toward all ages, with singing along from the audience encouraged.

Tickets are $6-$10 for students and children and $18-$20 for adults and seniors. For tickets, visit /theatre/program/calendar.

“If you don’t like it, just wait five minutes and it will change,” quotes the acclaimed soprano, whose husband hails from Kiwiland.

It’s a tongue-in-cheek adage applied to any region that sees variable weather, but Bender says it can also be used to describe her upcoming musical extravaganza: “If you don’t like what’s happening, wait five minutes and it’ll be a completely different experience,” she says. 

The operatic superstar is performing, directing and producing the Music Celebration Concert: An Evening with Madeline Bender on Friday. She promises everything from jazz and Great American Songbook standards to “very serious” French and German pieces, beloved opera arias and even some musical sketch comedy.

“It’s going to be a zany night of a lot of different kinds of things,” she says. “It’ll be like a tasting menu, except with music and theater.”

The ��ݮ���� Chamber Singers will feature at the event, as will the drama department, jazz ensemble and local actors and performers of all ages, resulting in what Bender calls “a cast of thousands.”

“I think people need to expect the unexpected,” she says. “There are so many people involved in this concert.”

“My favorite part of music-making is collaborating, and I would rather make it a party,” she adds. “The more, the merrier.”

The concert, held at Lehman Auditorium at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct.13, helps kick off EMU Homecoming and Family Weekend 2023. 

Tickets to the show are $10 in advance, $15 at the door and free for EMU students with ID or for children 12 and younger. They can be purchased .

Email alumni@emu.edu for instructions on how to access a free Facebook livestream of the event.

A complete list of events and activities is on the Homecoming and Family Weekend website.

Bender is an accomplished opera singer, arts entrepreneur and educator. She is the founder of Creative Stage, which teaches children across Manhattan programs in music, theater, dance and filmmaking. She is also the founder and director of Creative Stage Collective, a not-for-profit theater company that develops musical sketch comedy based on the imaginative ideas of children.

She has been praised by The New York Times for her “charimatic stage presence,” “voluptuous soprano” and “theatrical flair.”

Finding her voice at EMU

Bender, who lives in New York City with her husband Paul Whelan, a baritone and bass-baritone singer, and their 14-year-old son, may have been destined to attend EMU.

Her parents, former educators Jon Scott ’62 and Nancy Shank Bender ’64, were EMU alums, as well as many of her friends and neighbors around Harrisonburg, and later, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

The choice to attend EMU may have been an easy one for her to make, but the decision to major in music was not quite as simple.

Bender arrived at EMU intent on graduating with a health professions degree. At the time, she says, a career in the performing arts felt like it wouldn’t help others. 

But her involvement in the Chamber Singers under then-Professor Kenneth J. Nafziger — as well as nearly every other ensemble on campus — provided her a supportive environment that helped her realize she could also serve others with her voice.

Back in the early ’90s, EMU may not have had an opera program or a diction coach or “all the bells and whistles,” she says. But it taught her to be resourceful. 

“I put on two opera programs, I learned to produce, I learned how to cast and direct a show, and now, that’s my job,” she says. 

After graduating from EMU, Bender earned her master’s degree from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music.

And although she hasn’t performed professionally for about a decade, she says she’s thoroughly enjoyed practicing for Friday’s big event.

“The engine is back and running again.”

Based on a scandalous slice of Leo Tolstoy’s “War and Peace,” this “lively, intelligent and utterly engrossing” (Time Out New York) sung-through musical adaptation by celebrated composer Dave Malloy premiered at Ars Nova in New York City in 2012. It debuted Off-Broadway the same year and on Broadway in 2016. Audience engagement has always been part of the show, and EMU Theater’s production is no exception. Breaking down barriers between audience and actors, this immersive experience features a cast of 11 students, alumni, faculty/staff, and community members singing and dancing to and with theatergoers who are seated around tables and an octagonal bar with an orchestra pit.

“It’s a cabaret café-like environment, and the workers of the cabaret café are serving up popcorn and non-alcoholic drinks and telling the story of ‘Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812’ from ‘War and Peace’” said EMU Theater faculty director Justin Poole.

Young and impulsive, Natasha Rostova—played by junior Spanish language & Hispanic studies and writing studies double major Hannah Landis (3/31, 4/13 and 4/15) and junior political science and sociology double major Greta Schrag (4/1, 4/14 and 4/16)—arrives in Moscow to await the return of her fiancé from the front lines. When she falls under the spell of the roguish Anatole, it is up to a family friend in the middle of an existential crisis, Pierre­—played by alumnus math major and music minor Joe Seitz ’22—to pick up the pieces of her shattered reputation.

“At a base level, it’s a fun show to be in and watch,” said Schrag, who is preparing for her vocally-challenging role with the help of EMU voice teacher Olivia Rominiyi. “At a deeper level, it’s a story about love and humanity and what it means to physically interact with the people around you.”

Cast members perform the role of one or two named characters and in the ensemble, wearing costumes that combine period and punkish-style elements—and singing songs that combine the feel of Indie folk-rock and electronic dance music with Russian folk and classical sounds, according to music directors Angela Clemens and Jim Clemens.

Rounding out the artistic staff are EMU students Alexis Lewis and Sarah Peak (stage managers), EMU faculty/staff members Shannon Dove (scene design) and Rachel Herrick (costume design), EMU alum and graduate student Hailey Holcomb ’17 (production assistant), EMU alumnus and guest lighting designer Robert Weaver ’18, and resident choreographer Ellie de Waal.

Tickets are $18-$20. For tickets, visit or call the EMU Box Office at (540) 432-4582.

“Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.

NOTE: Paul Pinto, who originated the role of Balaga and was the associate music director in the Broadway production of “Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812,” will be the talkback speaker following the April 15 @ 7 p.m. and April 16 @ 2 p.m. performances.

‘Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812′ Cast                                                      

Natasha Rostova | Hannah Landis and Greta Schrag

Pierre Bezukhov | Joseph Seitz

Sonya Rostova | Afton Rhodes-Lehman

Marya Dmitriyevna | Holly Hanks Wanta

Anatole Kuragin | Adam Hoover

Andre Bolkonsky/Old Prince Bolkonsky | Jacob Nissley

Balaga | Bradley Kirkdorffer

Hélène Bezukhova | Eileen Hernon

Fedya Dolokhov | Marc Dowdy

Mary Bolkonsky/Female Opera Singer | Grace Altman

History has shown us unbridled fear left unchecked. When fear is the guiding force for an individual or society, beliefs of right and wrong are tainted. The result is chaos, the distortion of truth, and the destruction of life’s innate goodness.

Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama “The Crucible” deftly illustrates the parallel of the Salem witch trials in 1693 Massachusetts and the 1950s McCarthy hearings to root out communism during what is referred to as “The Red Scare.” Miller was accused of supporting communism and expected to name others. 

��ݮ���� Theater reimagines “The Crucible” as an allegory for today’s society in a soul-searching production that premieres in the Studio Theater this fall. Professor Justin Poole, theater program director, hopes the performance sparks conversations so “we can learn from our mistakes,” he said.

This production will likely unsettle, offend, and leave you asking, ‘What now?’ That’s the goal. Some of the best art challenges us, and at EMU Theater we strive to make art that matters.”

Justin Poole, director, ‘The Crucible’

Ticket Information

“The Crucible” runs Oct. 28-Nov. 5, in the Studio/Blackbox Theater, University Commons. Performances are 7 p.m. Oct. 28, 29, Nov. 3, 4, and 5, and 2 p.m. Oct. 30.

Reserved seating only. Adults,$20; Senior (65+), non-EMU students or child (0-18), $18; EMU students, $6. Discounts are available for groups of ten or more. Click on the link above or call 540-432-4582 between 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. weekdays. Online tickets subject to a $2/ticket processing fee. Online tickets are available until 2 hours prior to each performance. Tickets at the door are an additional $2/ticket with the exception of EMU students. Show length is three hours. Intermission.

‘Into the action’

Seated on all four sides of the stage, the audience will be “immersed in this environmentally-staged version,” Poole said, “to experience the parallels between the Salem witch trials, the Red Scare, and today’s society.”

“The seating, surround-sound techniques and atmospheric audio brings each audience member into the action,” said assistant director Hannah Landis, who also portrays Reverend Hale. “Everyone gets to be right there with our characters, in our story.”

For actor Joseph Seitz, the key word for the show is intimacy. Seitz, a 2022 graduate, portrays John Proctor. “It’s almost a median between stage and film. The music provided by Perry Blosser ‘18 and Joseph Harder ’20, alongside the intimacy of the space creates an almost film-like detail, but with live theater. It’s quite the treat.”

The intimacy created by the studio theater also gives the actors unique perspective, said Anna Hoover, a senior carrying a theater minor in addition to her chemistry major. Hoover will portray Elizabeth Proctor, who along with her husband, John, is accused of witchcraft. “Every subtle expression from the actors can be seen by the audience only an arm’s length away. I think this helps my character greatly. Elizabeth is a subtle character but her face shows her thoughts rather than her words.”

Character study divulges the personal and political

Poole’s direction is guiding the ensemble to delve deeply into their characterizations. Seitz’s character-building comes from “introspection, direction and discussion,“ he said. “As much personal reflection as I do, sometimes I need to take myself out of my own ideas of what the character should be like, and give Justin’s direction a shot, or earnestly listen to the interpretations of others. It’s been a thought-provoking process.” 

For Landis, portraying Hale has given her a deeper understanding of her own beliefs and judgements. She is discovering her character’s motivations through her own self inquiry. “What beliefs could I hold strongly that are actually inaccurate and misguided? How often do I cling to one single story, when a true investigation could reveal my ignorance and influence my thought processes for the better?” she said, “And if I recognize this about myself yet choose to prioritize my current beliefs over expanding my worldview, as some characters in the show do, what does that say about the beliefs I’m trying to cling to in the first place?”

Each character has both a personal and a political side, said Hoover. Her character, Elizabeth, is a political representation of the people McCarthy accused of being communists. “But personally, she is a woman who has been betrayed by her husband, sees the fraud for what it is but can do little about it.”

Much of the story’s conflict is driven by the fear of the townspeople and the judges, which keeps them from seeing the full picture, Hoover said, “and shows them spirits where there are none. I think this is something to keep in mind when looking at the turmoil of today.”

Life lessons

Landis, Hoover and Seitz reflected on the impact of Miller’s play. The wisdom they’ve gained as actors is inspiring and holds true for today’s world.

“The characters we present in Salem are forcefully uprooted from their comfortable beliefs, and I challenge us to do the same,” said Landis.

“Instead of focusing on the hate being spewed,” Hoover said, “ask yourself what fear is motivating that hate and how can I help alleviate that fear.”

Seitz says he’s more aware than ever of “the disastrous consequences of viewing people through a strictly black or white lens. Perhaps rather than labeling people internally as good or bad, we can hold both the triumphs and follies of people at the same time.”

Thanks to our sponsor!

CAST

John Proctor: Joseph Seitz

Elizabeth Proctor: Anna Hoover

Abigail Williams: Greta Shrag

Reverend Hale: Hannah Landis

Deputy Governor Danforth: MaKayla Baker Paxton

Mary Warren: Eileen Hernon

Ann Putnam/Sarah Good/Susanna Walcott: Ani Beitzel

Reverend Samuel Parris: Andrew Stoltzfus

Giles Corey: Shannon Dove

Thomas Putnam/Francis Nurse: Bradley Kirkdorffer

Tituba/Judge Hawthorne: Liz Marin

Mercy Lewis: Alexis Lewis

Betty Parris: Molly Piwonka

Rebecca Nurse: Rachel Herrick

Ezekiel Cheever: Josiah Esch

John Willard: Nicholas Murch

Crew

Director: Justin Poole

Assistant Director: Hannah Landis

Collaborative Musicians: Perry Blosser and Joseph Harder

Choreographer: Ellie de Waal

Scene Designer: Shannon Dove

Lighting Designer: Robert Weaver

Stage Manager: Emma Nord

Assistant Stage Managers: Sarah Peak, Jordyn Thompson, Jordyn Dixon

Technical Director: Shannon Dove

Costume Designer and Shop Manager: Rachel Herrick

Construction and Technical Crew: Anna Hoover, Adam Hoover, Makayla Pettus, Jordyn Thompson, Alexis Lewis

Public Relations Coordinator: Alexis Lewis

Cast Photographs: Cassidy Walker

House Manager: Makayla Pettus

Box Office Manager: Sarah Regan

Theater Administrative Assistant: Daniel De Tablan

Production Assistants: Hailey Holcomb and Ezrionna Prioleau

A humanities professor, an operatic tenor, and an ordained Presbyterian minister and theologian, Ott says the new role “brings together my deepest passions and my life’s work.”

“EMU’s commitments to holistic education and the work of peace and justice could not align better with my own sense of vocation,” he added.

Ott started his new role this summer, taking over from retiring dean Sue Cockley. He comes to EMU from Monmouth College in Illinois, where he was associate dean for academic initiatives and professor of religious studies. He chaired Monmouth’s Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies and coordinated the peace, ethics and social justice program. 

Provost Fred Kniss said that Ott earned the “strong and unanimous support” of the search committee and those campus community members who participated in his visit in spring 2022. “The committee and others were impressed by his strong training, experience, and ongoing interest in all three areas of the PATH School. He also has demonstrated commitment and positive action in supporting EMU’s core values of discipleship, community, service, and peace. He brings proven experience in advancing our strategic goals related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

Ott will also serve as dean of  Eastern Mennonite Seminary.

“Dan’s leadership comes at an important moment for Eastern Mennonite Seminary,” said The Rev. Dr. Sarah Bixler, associate dean of the seminary. “To have a dean who is a peace theologian and scholar, and well-versed in ecumenical contexts, positions the seminary to deepen our Anabaptist Mennonite values while also expanding our reach. We’re living in a societal moment when the theology and practice of peace and justice are sorely needed. Dan brings the vision and experience to keep our seminary grounded in this core part of our identity, and to help us reach new audiences who are longing for this kind of education.” 

Ott holds a PhD from Claremont Graduate University in the philosophy of religion and theology, a Masters of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Music from West Virginia University. He is an ordained teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Ott has more than 17 years of experience in teaching, scholarship, and administration. His administrative work includes curriculum and program development, grant writing and directing, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. At Monmouth, he supervised the university’s general education curriculum, and recently led its review and revision funded by a grant from the Mellon Foundation. He also oversaw assessment and review of all academic programs across the university.

Ott’s scholarship is in the areas of religious thought in the United States, philosophies of peace and nonviolence, and Christian liberal theologies, especially process and pragmatic theologies.

He is co-author with Hannah Schell of Christian Thought in America: A Brief History (Fortress Press, 2015). Publication credits include Theology Today, Political Theology, and the American Journal of Theology and Philosophy. 

From conducting economic policy research in the DC area to assisting with costume design at an award-winning theater, 14 students are gaining professional experience this summer at the Washington Community Scholars’ Center (WCSC). The center, located in the nation’s capital since 1976, is a program of ��ݮ����.

These 14 students, including two from Goshen College, are living and working in Washington DC in a range of professional internships in fields from youth work to invasive species removal.

This summer Ann Butwell, associate director of student life and administration for WCSC, is debuting the course Creativity, Culture and Change: Latinidad in the Capital Region. From meeting in city hall with the first Latina mayor of Mt. Rainier to studying immigration patterns and conducting their own research, WCSC students are gaining a greater understanding of the local community and contributions of immigrants.

The semester-long experience is also a community-building endeavor, with students living together in the Nelson Good House in the Brookland neighborhood of Northeast Washington, DC. This semester’s placements include several organizations that are long-time hosts of EMU students, highlighting WCSC’s deep ties within the region. Many alumni can trace their careers back to a pivotal experience at WCSC. 

Read more about WCSC success! Grads Tessa Waidelich and Terry Jones find full-time work after their internships.

Read on to learn more about the students, their placements and the organizations they are involved with. 

Andrew Bennett, a biology major from Doylestown, Pa., works alongside therapists and patients at Pivot Physical Therapy.

Jessica Buckwalter, a psychology major from Yona, Guam, is with Little Friends for Peace. She works with children, young adults, and halfway house personnel to provide nonviolent ways to work through emotions and trauma.

“My most significant learning experience will likely come from working with such a diverse group of people, and all that those groups bring to our discussion,” she said.

Jessica Chisolm, a peacebuilding and development and writing studies double major from Collinsville, Miss., is working with Mennonite Central Committee’s National Justice and Peace Ministries office. Alongside the communications coordinator and peace education coordinator, she will write an article and work on anti-militarism curriculum resources.

Skylar Coffey, a psychology major from Elkton, Va., is with Samaritan Inns, working at Clark’s Inn, a rehabilitation house for mothers that suffer from substance abuse. Skylar observes rehabilitation group sessions and individual sessions, learning to take clinical notes and conduct supervised research on building a rehabilitation program.

Ashlyn Eby, a nursing major from Annandale, Va., is with Community of Hope, a community health clinic that provides quality healthcare and housing to families. She is on two interdisciplinary teams with goals of reducing uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension in the population they serve.

Amanda Gilbert, a psychology major from Lanham, Md., is with Covenant House, an organization that provides educational programs, job training and placement, medical services, mental health and substance use counseling, legal aid and beyond to homeless youth.

Josh Holloway, a liberal arts major from Broadway, Va., is with St. Anthony Catholic School, gaining experience working with children and observing different teaching styles.

Alijah Johnson, a digital media and communication major from Upper Marlboro, Md., is interning with Washington Digital Media, making business cards and several other templates.

Aaliyah Lawhorne, a biology major from Waynesville, N.C., is interning with Bread for the City. She works at a primary care clinic where she conducts patient satisfaction surveys to English and Spanish-speaking clients. She is also shadowing and assisting the nurses and other health care professionals.

“I think the most significant learning experience I have had is learning how to provide holistic care to communities that are underserved,” she said.

Rachel Mast, a sustainability studies major at Goshen College from Lancaster, Pa., is assisting the Anacostia Watershed Society with their adult education classes, tree surveying, invasive species removal, wetland planting, and boat tours on the Anacostia River.

Alex Miller, a theater and environmental science double major at Goshen College from Middlebury, In., is working at the Keegan Theater as a costume design intern for three productions during the summer.

“I am excited to help with costume design in a professional setting and look forward to working with several costume designers over the course of the summer. I hope to add their advice, techniques, and knowledge to my professional toolkit,” they said.

Kendra Oguamena, a psychology major from Alexandria, Va., is helping Girls on the Run DC with program outreach, coach recruitment processing, and communications. She has found it meaningful to see and hear about the coaching experiences from past and current volunteer coaches. Girls on the Run provides an “inclusive place of belonging, where girls feel supported and inspired to explore their emotions, cultivate empathy and strengthen their physical and emotional health.”

Katelyn Sellars, a nursing major from Telford, Pa., works with Mary’s Center’s Centering Pregnancy program, designed to improve equity and health among expecting parents. She also works with the patient education team, developing skills in patient education. Mary’s Center provides primary health care and other wrap-around services to any individual that enters their doors regardless of their ability to pay.

Josh White, a business administration major from Chesapeake, Va., is with the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development, which fosters just and equitable community development solutions that address the needs and aspirations of low- and moderate-income district residents by convening, advocating, and educating diverse stakeholders. Josh is conducting research, collecting citations and taking inventory of a variety of housing and loan documents for historical outcomes of DC tenant policies.

EMU’s Summer Musical Theater Program features performance and technical intensives for students grades four through 12, offering local students a new opportunity to perform a full-scale production over the summer.

With just over two weeks to rehearse as a full cast and crew, the heat is on for 18 local high schoolers who will present the musical “Mamma Mia,” with music by Benny Anderson and Björn Ulvaeus with Stig Anderson and book by Catherine Johnson. The musical will be performed July 14-16 at 7 p.m. in the University Commons Mainstage Theater.

This is the first time EMU’s theater program has produced a show like this, challenging high schoolers with “college-level” work, said Justin Poole, head of the theater department at EMU, and then putting on a show for a real audience.

Working eight hours each day, the high schoolers rehearse scenes, practice choreography, vocals and scene changes — repeating scenes multiple times to get them exactly right.

“I’ve learned a lot about actions and how they impact how characters interact with each other,” said Rhodes-Lehman, a rising sophomore at Eastern Mennonite High School. He plays Sam, a man who’s trying to win back his former lover’s heart.

The high schoolers are learning skills that run the gamut of musical theater and technical theater from co-directors Poole and Ellie de Waal, who’s also resident choreographer for EMU’s theater program and choreographer for the show. Also contributing are music directors Jim Clemens and Angie Clemens and EMU theater students, who serve as student directors and mentors to the high schoolers.

“Doing this program is a huge step for me,” said Anna Hoover, a rising senior chemistry major and theater minor at EMU, who’s serving as a student director. “Getting to know the ins and outs of theater outside of [acting]. Being able to step back and see the outside is awesome.”https://b8fac3a53a9401e17e4c815832449d68.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

Even though they are only rehearsing as a group for a short time, the students began auditioning for the program back in February, and had their lines memorized before the start of the program.

Ramping up the drama, attitude and energy with each run, the high schoolers in the program said they’ve learned a bit about how to “own” their characters.

From the student directing-mentors, Albers said she learned something about memorizing lines.

“I did a Zoom call with [EMU student director Greta Schrag] a few days before we started the program,” said Albers, a rising junior at Eastern Mennonite High School who plays Donna, the free-spirited mother of the bride. “I was still struggling to get my lines learned, and she suggested I do [online] flashcards. And then I had my lines by the end of the day.”

The program provides a needed opportunity for local high schoolers who love theater to keep performing over the summer, said student director Joseph Sites, a recent graduate of EMU and alumnus of EMHS.

“This isn’t something that has really existed in this area that exists in other areas,” Sites said. “It’s just filling a niche in the theater community around here, because there’s a lot of very talented people doing theater in high schools, so we’re giving them more opportunities when they’re not in school.”

Tickets for the show can be purchased by calling 540-432-4582 or by visiting . EMU runs a separate junior program for fourth- through eight-graders, which takes place in July and leads up to a musical revue.

“They came to our school and they were talking about doing ‘Mamma Mia,’” Albers said. “I really like ‘Mamma Mia,’ and I’ll take any chance to do theater, so I think it’s a really fun way to spend my summer.”

Theater and music programs at ��ݮ���� received this spring from the Arts Council of the Valley. The grants cover projects to be completed by October 31, 2022.

Professors Jerry Holsopple and Justin Poole received funding to present “Bonhoeffer: Cell 39,” a multi-media performance on the life and legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer at Court Square Theater, in March 2022.

Executive Director Amanda Gookin earned one of three Arts for Education grants. “’Book Notes’ is a musical storytelling hour Saturday, June 18 at 1 p.m. at Massanutten Regional Library. The event features a reading by Joanne V. Gabbin, professor at James Madison University and founder of the Furious Flower Poetry Center, along with performances by five Bach Festival musicians and opportunities for children to participate through dance and singalongs. Book Notes is one of several concerts offering during festival week June 12-19.

The Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir and director Janet Hostetter received funding for “The Shapes of Home,” a YouTube video combining the musical talents of the choir with the creative talents of Australian composer Dan Walker and Pennsylvania quilt artist Nancy Hershberger.

Yi-Ping Chen, conductor of the Shenandoah Valley Youth Symphony, and her group Caravanserai Music earned funding for a project presenting music for the Latinx Community.  

The organization has awarded a total of $15,174 to 12 Advancing the Arts grant recipients.  

“Advancing the Arts grants invest in the vital arts infrastructure of our community,” ACV Executive Director Jenny Burden said. “These awards tangibly express ACV’s continuing commitment to creative projects designed to cultivate the arts and connect communities.”

More than $436,000 has been awarded to artists and art educators since ACV launched the program in 2001. Programs are supported, in part, by 2022 Cultivating the Arts Platinum Sponsors: Kathy Moran Wealth Group, Matchbox Realty, and Riner Rentals.

Since it was established in 2000, ACV has grown into a multi-faceted community organization that fosters innovative partnerships among area businesses, civic organizations, schools, and artists. Today, ACV manages Court Square Theater and Smith House Galleries, funds local art projects grant program, and coordinates monthly First Fridays of the Valley community gatherings. ACV is supported in part by the City of Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, and the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. To learn more, visit valleyarts.org.

Eastern Mennnonite University’s opera “Noye’s Fludde” has won several Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival accolades. The festival is the preeminent university theater program in the United States. 

The Benjamin Britten opera, directed by theater professor Justin Poole with music direction by professor James Richardson, was performed in early April in Lehman Auditorium.

Among those accolades is a recommendation for the production to be an “Invited Production” at the l in January 2023 in West Chester, Pa.

Poole says the recommendation was “a big deal and unexpected.”

Invited productions are “the pinnacle of what university theater has to offer,” Poole explained, “so it would be thrilling to be selected. We’ll learn more in December.”

The entire cast and crew received a KCACTF Certificate of Merit for “Community Ensemble,” a category that reflects the high degree of collaboration.

Assistant directors Elizabeth Eby, Anna Hoover, and Greta Schrag also received Certificates of Merit. 

Additionally, Isaac Longacre, who played Noye, was nominated to participate in the Musical Theater Initiative, a special opportunity to compete for a national fellowship.

Reah Clymer as Mrs. Noye, Elizabeth Eby as Raven/Dove, Avery Trinh as The Voice of God/Son, and Greta Schrag as The Voice of God/Holy Spirit are nominees to the Irene Ryan Acting competition.

The last EMU production to be invited to KCACTF was “The 39 Steps” in 2018. That production and several others have resulted in many individuals earning nominations and awards at the regional and national levels.

After the tumultuous last few years, Justin Poole and James Richardson felt a need to offer a message of faith and peace. 

The two ��ݮ���� professors knew a theater production combining storytelling and music with a Biblical story could convey that message. They also knew the one-act opera “Noye’s Fludde” (Noah’s Flood) by Benjamin Britten, with its spectacular pageantry, music, drama and comedy, could give audiences a visceral experience of hope.

“We thought it would be a good post-pandemic piece that could bring the community together,” said Poole, who also directs EMU’s theater program.  “We have all been through this monumental shift in our world, so let’s celebrate new beginnings together.” 

“Today, it indeed seems all hell is breaking loose,” said Richardson, who teaches voice in the EMU Music Department. “We long for and look forward to the fullness that is to come … perfect peace. But I suppose the greater reminder is, even during the flood, God is sovereign.”

EMU’s production of “Noye’s Fludde” will be performed April 1, 2, 8, and 9 at 7 p.m. in Lehman Auditorium.

Noye’s Fludde show length is 75 minutes with no intermission. Masks are optional. $15/Adults; $12/Senior; $12/Student/Child non-EMU; $15/EMU faculty/staff; $6/EMU student. Add $2 per ticket at the door. Tickets may be purchased or at the Box Office, located in the lower level of the University Commons, Monday-Friday, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. or call 540-432-4582.

AN OPERA FOR ALL

“Noye’s Fludde” is not your typical opera,” said Richardson. Britten’s 1958 work was written to be performed by community members, including children, as well as professionals and amateurs.

“Britten conceived the opera for a range of ages and abilities spread throughout the orchestra and cast,” said Richardson. “The score is fun and eclectic.”

The opera’s animal chorus is multigenerational – “a real mix of local community members, whole families, local church musicians, school choristers, EMU students and a few members of the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir,” Richardson said.

The music includes congregational singing, trumpets played from the balcony, and a handbell ensemble. “The percussion parts call for ‘slung mugs’ that are struck by wooden spoons to sound like raindrops,” he said, “with an orchestra and organ that literally pulls out all the stops during  a terrifying flood.”

Britten’s text is adapted from a 15th century Chester mystery or miracle play, and written in old English, Poole said. But the language shouldn’t be an obstacle for audiences, “because so much of the play’s story is conveyed through elaborate visuals and nuanced music…The audience members themselves will be active participants in the production, even singing along with the large cast in some music numbers.”

THE VOICE OF GOD

Typically, God is played by one actor, but Poole took an innovative approach by casting three actors.

“God is not bound by our traditional perceptions of gender, ethnicity and culture. God is much more expansive, and more mysterious than the boxes we try to put God in,” Poole said. By casting three actors with diverse backgrounds, God’s own diversity and mystery could be more clearly communicated, he added.

The Voice of God is played by Rockingham County resident David Gonzol, emeritus professor of music at Shepherd University in West Virginia; senior psychology major Avery Trinh; and sophomore Greta Schrag, a political science and sociology major.

The three actors collaborated on their interpretations of resembling the Trinity. Gonzol represents God the Father; Trinh portrays the Son of God; and the Holy Spirit is represented by Schrag.

“Society tempts us to see the Father and Jesus as a bad cop and a good cop,” said Gonzol. “They are both equally kind and patient. So, I am not bringing an angry police attitude to the character, but rather one of deeply sad regret, though strongly clear that it is time to destroy much in a flood, and that that is a use of force.”

Trinh considers his faith background “somewhat unconditional” with his mother’s faith journey beginning in a conservative church and his father’s Vietnamese family identifying as Buddhist. “As these experiences continue to shape me, I am approaching the role of God as one of exploration and inquisition.”

The three actors feed off each other’s energy, Trinh said. “David, Greta and I are in constant conversation about how to make our roles unifying but also complementary to each of our gifts.”

FAITH AND DOUBT

Listening and surrendering to God’s Voice is a challenge for the lead characters. Noah is played by senior and music major Isaac Longacre.  First-year Reah Clymer, majoring in music and peacebuilding, will portray Mrs. Noah.

“Noah is ready to follow God’s will. He gets a message from God…he begins to work on completing the ark with the help of his family,” said Longacre. “Of course, Noah still struggles with doubt and uncertainty. Noah decides that, despite his doubts, he will trust God.”

Not the case for Mrs. Noah. Clymer said her character fights to stay with her friends on dry land. “She is quite opposed to floating around on a boat with a hoard of wild animals.”

Mrs. Noah, realizing her friends will drown in the flood, is desperate to save them, Clymer said. “Mrs. Noah is an honest representation of the fear, grief and denial we humans experience during traumatic events.”

Although at first the opera’s demanding music seemed counterintuitive to Longacre,  once he learned the music, “everything clicked into place, and it started to feel natural….the character is perfectly written into the music. ” he said. “When you sing, the music evokes certain emotions in the performer that perfectly fit what the character is feeling.”

THE RAINBOW

“Noye’s Fludde” had the ability to inspire wonder, Longacre said, possibly making audience members contemplate the familiar story and “really think about what it was and what it would have been like.”

Even though there is loss and darkness in the story, Clymer said, “there is also opportunity and newness at the end of the story. There is a vibrant, promising rainbow after the rainstorm. I hope that the audience will be able to look at their own lives in the same way that Noah’s family looked at the new world after stepping off of the Ark. I hope this show refreshes us all so that we can better appreciate the newness in everyday life.”

CAST

Noah: Isaac Longacre 

Mrs. Noah: Reah Clymer 

Sem: Adam Hoover

Mrs. Sem: Afton Rhodes-Lehman

Ham: Jack Richardson      

Mrs. Ham: Anna Hoover  

Jaffett: Thaddeus Jackson

Mrs. Jaffett: MacRae Richardson

God: David Gonzol

God/Gossip/Movement Chorus: Greta Schrag   

God/Gossip/Movement Chorus: Avery Trinh    

Dove/Raven/Gossip/Movement Chorus: Elizabeth Eby  

Gossip/Movement Chorus: Andrew Burks, Molly Piwonka, Mikayla Pettus, George Richardson   

CREW

Director: Justin Poole       

Music Director: James Richardson  

Collaborative Pianist: Jim Clemens

 Choreographer: Ellie de Waal    

Assistant Directors: Elizabeth Eby, Anna Hoover, Greta Schrag 

Set Designer: Shannon Dove

Costume Designer: Rachel Herrick 

Puppet Master: Anna Westfall 

Puppet Artists: Anna Westfall, Afton Rhodes-Lehman, Molly Piwonka, Elizabeth Eby, Anna Hoover, Justin Poole, Cyndi Gussler, Cyndi Gussler’s Advanced Drawing Class 

Light Designer: Robert Weaver   

Theater Administrative Assistant: Daniel De Tablan

Stage Manager: Jareya Harder    

Assistant Stage Manager: Alexis Lewis  

Production Assistant: Ezrionna Prioleau

Production Assistant: Hailey Holcomb, Emma Nord 

Theater Promotions: Anna Hoover 

Crew: Emma Nord

Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir Coordinator: Janet Hostetter  

First published 3/23.

From assisting DC’s own public defender service to podcast production for a prominent video production company, 15 students are gaining professional experience this semester at the Washington Community Scholars’ Center (WCSC). The center, located in the nation’s capital since 1976, is a program of ��ݮ����.

These 15 students, including five from Bluffton University and one from Viterbo University, are living and working in Washington DC in a range of professional internships in fields from youth work to immigration services.

The semester-long experience is also a “community-building endeavor,” with students living together in the Nelson Good House in the Brookland neighborhood of Northeast Washington DC. They explore Washington’s cultural and historic attractions, and learn about urban issues such as gentrification.

This semester’s placements include several organizations that are long-time hosts of EMU students, highlighting WCSC’s deep ties within the region. Many alumni can trace their careers back to a pivotal experience at WCSC. 

Read more about WCSC success! Grads Tessa Waidelich and Terry Jones find full-time work after their internships.

Read on to learn more about the students, their placements and the organizations they are involved with. 

Ethan Ball, an engineering major from Poland, Ohio, is with working on an introductory project to design an HVAC system for the engineering office space.

Cassidy Bush, a social work major from Bluffton, Ohio, is interning at the (LAYC). She is working on coordinating a tutoring program there and will mentor teens coming into the center. LAYC provides services to youth such as safe housing, food, mental health, and virtual learning opportunities.

Andrea Deeds, a sociology major from Ruckersville, Virginia, is with the , an organization that offers after-school, Saturday, and summer arts education programs. She helps the instructors provide students with creative learning opportunities such as rehearsing for and performing in theater shows, dances, and art showcases.

Celesta Hartman, a psychology major at Bluffton University from Lima, Ohio, is interning with the . She goes through meeting minutes, faculty and staff information, classes, and more from when the school was in operation with the goal of staging an exhibit. The Charles Sumner School, established in 1872, was one of the earliest schools for African Americans in Washington DC.

Paige Hurley, a political science and history major from Franklin, Tennessee, is interning at the . She is working on proofreading and application reading, and goes over weekly projects such as preparing for the 2023 Folklife Festival. [Read an article about a past intern with the Smithsonian.]

Jake Kiger, a psychology and criminal justice major at Bluffton University from Columbus, Ohio, is at the , assisting public defenders in their duties. This ranges from paperwork and attending meetings to going out into the community to interview possible witnesses of a crime.

Justine Lesniewski, a psychology and criminal justice major at Bluffton University from Mantua, Ohio, is working with the and the . With the Hyattsville PD, she is helping to develop a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT). The program will help train officers in how to properly respond to mental health behavior situations. With the Greenbelt PD, she is learning about lines of communication from within the department to the community.

Sara Poiry, a graphic design major at Bluffton University from Graytown, Ohio, is with . Alongside several other small projects, she is first working to get a streaming podcast up and running.

Noah Robinson III, a psychology and criminal justice major at Bluffton University from Urbana, Ohio , is with (VSC). VSC supports incarcerated and newly-released individuals in their transition back to the community and reunification with their families.

Blake Schaar, a political science and economics major from Orange, Virginia, is with the . He is helping create a dynamic online dashboard of access to capital resources for DC businesses, assisting applicants with their application preparation, and creating a roadmap for financial management best practices for micro businesses.

Stephanie Sesvold, an ethics, culture, and society major at Viterbo University from West Salem, Wisconsin, is working with to advocate for proper wages and better working conditions for tipped workers in the Washington DC area. She  assists in conducting research, organizing events, and targeting specific businesses in the area.

Allison Shelly, a political science major from Collinsville, Mississippi, is with (CAN), an organizing network of congregations that provide support to those who fear being detained or deported. She helps CAN in their efforts to restructure as an organization, lobby for immigration policy to be included in the Build Back Better Act, and to plan a national forum in DC for all Faith in Action federations.

Karen Valdez, a political science, global development and peacebuilding major from Harrisonburg, Virginia, is with . She works on tracking House and Senate bills that pertain to immigration, healthcare, police reform, and tenant rights for undocumented Marylanders. CASA provides critical services to immigrant and working-class families, and advocates for their rights.

Navy Widyani, a political science major from Jakarta, Indonesia, is interning with the . She assists MCC in asking congress to address environmental justice, build global resilience to climate change, and provide constituents with educational resources on environmental justice and climate change.

Jeremiah Yoder, a math major from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, is working with , an organization that provides housing, support, and care for adults with intellectual disabilities. He works directly with one of the core members, helping him accomplish goals, have engaging experiences, and assisting his navigation of day-to-day life.

Jamie Reich, WCSC’s associate director of communications and retention, and Kate Szambecki, content writer, collaborated on this article.