Glacier students stage 'Atypical Boy'
What if the entire world, an entire society, shut you out?
The Wolfpack Theatre Company will answer this question in the cutting-edge allegorical production “Atypical Boy” Sept. 26, 27 and 28 in the Wolfpack Theatre at Glacier High School. Curtain time is 6:33 p.m. each night.
Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children, students and senior citizens and are available at the Glacier High main office and Photo Video Plus.
"Conformity is compulsory" is the No. 1 rule. But even when others try to fix him, Boy cannot change his nature.
In Boy’s world, conformity is valued and individuality is misunderstood. Boy just does not fit the mold. Labeled a monster by the experts, Boy is shunned until, heartbroken and alone, he disappears into a world of monsters.
As the play continues, Boy questions whether he can accept himself and hold on to his humanity or inevitably become one of the monsters.
“I just love the script. The play is written in such an epic style that everything is symbolic,” director Greg Adkins said. “And the use of a narrator engages the audience in way that we have never done before in the Wolfpack Theatre.”
The first half of this production of “Atypical Boy” offers a comedic, fable-like world that transforms the black box theater into a vibrant world of color for the dynamic, larger-than-life characters and animated puppets.
“My original vision was the 1980s dance circus meets Marilyn Manson in space. The set is visually stimulating with a barrage of sights and sounds,” Adkins said. “The comedic and silly first half of the play contrasts with a stark reality in the second half.”
Connecting with this exceptional script, nine actors tell this unique tale and bring the strange worlds from the play to life for the audience.
“It really explores the beauty and the danger of being different in a world where conformity is valued.” Adkins said. “This play allows us to stop and reflect on the issues of loneliness, despair, conformity, individuality and belonging.”
The cast and crew began working on “Atypical Boy” even before school began with tryouts Aug. 15.
“This has been an incredible experience, and I am so proud of the growth and maturity of this group of students,” Adkins said.
The cast of “Atypical Boy” includes Rebecca Ames, Abby Van Allen, Jaclyn Rensel, Christian Diaz, Riley Wilton, Rachel Bjork, Dylan Gibson, Teesa Palmatier and Ben Habel.
The technical crew, including Anika Fritz, Katie Christensen, Josh Pitt, Gracey Ortel, Grant Bergman, Joey O’Myer, Kelsey Alexander and Ryleigh Finn, support the cast behind the scenes.