HILLSBORO, Kan. – Tabor Arts performs its annual spring theater selection March 8-11 at 7:00 p.m. nightly in the Lab Theater in the Lohrenz Building on campus. This year’s selection is the popular drama “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen.
The play takes place in Norway in 1895 and tells the story of Nora Helmer, played by Molly Wiebe Faber, a senior from Hillsboro, who is keeping a scandalous secret from her husband, Torvald, played by Rueven Isaac, a junior from Wichita. Nora struggles to maintain a façade of perfect wife and mother while concealing her actions. When her secret is discovered her identity and that of her husband crumble under the pressure.
“Ibsen believed that institutions should exist to serve individuals, not the other way around,” Laurel Koerner, director of theater at Tabor said. “His writing explores the subjects of marriage, gender roles and societal expectations.”
The drama, which premiered at the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1879, is based on the life of a friend of Ibsen’s. At the time it was written Ibsen was often criticized for his controversial portrayal of the traditional roles of men and women.
“These are complex characters and the writing is rich with layers of meaning to be unpacked,” Koerner said. “For an actor, it’s a difficult, but hopefully deeply satisfying process.”
Alisa Ediger a senior from Aurora, Colo., plays Helmer family friend Kristine Linde. Ediger agrees the complexity of the show has made it fascinating to study and perform.
“It’s crazy how a show from 1879 is still so applicable today,” Ediger said. “This show reminds me that there are two sides to every coin. The villain and the hero may not be as different as we would think, but that’s life. It’s messy and it’s beautiful.”
Ten actors including three children make up the cast of the show which takes place entirely in the Helmer apartment. In addition to Wiebe Faber, Isaac and Ediger, Megan Tschohl, a freshman from Andover, Kan., plays Helmer’s maid Helene. Anna, the nanny for the Helmers, is played by freshman Anna Fruechting from Newton, Kan. Cody Kroeker, a sophomore from Henderson, Neb., plays Nils Krogstad, an employee of Torvald. Dr. Jens Rank is played by post-baccalaureate student, Michael Adamyk of McPherson, Kan. Sam Werner and Ben Werner, sons of John and Sarah Werner of Hillsboro, and Emelia Koerner play the Helmer children.
Tickets can be purchased for any of the shows through the Student Life Office. The cost is $6 for adults and $4 for students. Call 620-947-3121 ext. 1033 or visit tabor.edu/springtheater to purchase tickets.