These Shining Lives presented by Meridian Theater

The Meridian theater program takes the spotlight with the introduction of the new fall play, These Shining Lives. Directed by Becca Fajardo, a three-time director of the annual fall play, the story follows the lives of four young women who painted watches with radium-based paint, unaware of its toxicity.

Themes of female resilience, corporate negligence, and the fight for workers’ rights are consistently present throughout the story, capturing the audience’s attention and contributing to the popularity of Meridian’s theater program.

These Shining Lives, written by Melanie Marnich, features four main characters: Catherine, Francis, Charlotte, and Pearl. The characters often challenge rules and take risks, with resilience serving as the central theme. Their ability to withstand and recover from difficulties inspires the audience.

“The theme of resilience throughout the play is shown through Catherine’s refusal to give up in the legal battle against the clock factory,” said Sadie Bailey, a sophomore in the Meridian theater program. “This resonated with me because it showed how her bravery paid off in the end, even after her death, and strengthened workers’ rights worldwide, all because she chose to stay strong.”

Becca Fajardo’s vision for These Shining Lives is to inspire the audience with the girls’ strength and determination. She and Amy Crowl, co-director and high school theater teacher, sought actors who could make the characters feel real and relatable. They wanted students capable of portraying both the struggles and the hope of their characters.

“The biggest challenge is handling the serious moments while keeping the story relatable,” Fajardo said. “We’ll focus on really building the characters so the actors understand their roles and relationships in the story.”

The Meridian theater program includes a large group of actors, commonly known as the Thespian Society. While short plays and musicals often involve returning members, the program regularly welcomes new theater enthusiasts. This influx of talent benefits the school and program, increasing parent involvement and audience size for both fall and spring productions, as well as the musical. The directors note that this year’s show will feature updates thanks to the re-decorated black box and newly developed risers.

“Without giving too much away, audiences will notice recurring motifs in the show that carry double meanings and add depth to the story,” said Amy Crowl. “I hope the audience sees themselves in the characters. Even though the story is from the past, the ideas of standing up and keeping hope alive are still important today.”

The interactions among the cast of These Shining Lives are as vital to the production as the staged performances. Rehearsals reveal strong chemistry not only between the four main characters but also among the cast and crew. These relationships help actors thrive academically and develop teamwork skills that benefit them in future endeavors.

Kiana Donnelly, who plays Reporter One, said, “The theater is always an extremely kind and welcoming place. People won’t be afraid to ask others for help when something goes wrong or for advice if they’re unsure what to do.”

In conclusion, the upcoming production of These Shining Lives promises to be a compelling show, highlighting themes of resilience and the human spirit. With the talented directors Becca Fajardo and Amy Crowl, audiences can expect a professional, emotionally engaging performance from the cast.