A child’s imagination is a place of great possibilities, adventures and discoveries. It’s a world where stick figures come to life, castles are drawn in chalk and familiar stories take on a new perspective. This whimsical sense of wonder was on full display during the recent performance of ‘Snow White’ by Marjorie Sokolof, produced by the University’s theatre department.
The simplicity and creativity captured the hearts and minds of children and adults, providing many with a new appreciation for live theatrical performances. This demonstrated that powerful storytelling is not determined by elaborate costumes and design but instead by the strength of imagination and a compelling narrative
The adaptation is built around the origins of the evil queen/witch. Holden Mast, student director, explained that he aimed to highlight the motivations behind the queen’s actions and draw a clear parallel between the way she was treated and how she, in turn, treated Snow White.
“Nobody helps her (the queen). She grows bitter, and she eventually finds the Magic Mirror, where we see their relationship form and how it’s based on toxic, approval-seeking behavior,” Mast said.
As the play unfolds, Snow White reveals that she felt the pressure to be obedient and complacent when it came to doing the housework, despite her resentment, she did it anyway in hopes of gaining approval.
The evil queen seeks affirmation from the Magic Mirror, while Snow White looks for validation from those around her. Both are driven by their need to please others, but they respond to the desire in vastly different ways.
In addition to exploring character dynamics, the play adopted a distinctive approach to costuming and set design. The use of stick figure costumes and chalk-drawn scenery enhanced the whimsical, imaginative atmosphere of the performance.
This simplicity was designed to evoke the perspective of a child, encouraging the audience to focus more on the storyline rather than the characters themselves. It illustrates that storytelling doesn’t need to be elaborate to be impactful, allowing the audience to appreciate the beauty of simplicity in theatre.
Murray State students produced the costume and scene construction along with the live production elements: lighting, sound, projections and stage management.
During performance week, various groups of preschool and elementary school students attended the show.
Brent Merchinger, chairman of the theatre department, said, “It’s a way to introduce theater to students at an early age. Hopefully, making them future lifelong lovers, or theater patrons of the future.”
Noraa Ransey, first-grade teacher at North Calloway Elementary, said that her students had loved seeing the performance by the Murray State Theatre Department.
“The students of North Calloway Elementary loved visiting MSU theatre today,” Ransey said. “They were intrigued by the costumes, set and characters. This was a first experience to theatre for many of our students.”
Without the hard work and creativity of our Murray State students, these performances would not be possible. Their dedication brings live theater to life for the local community, helping to inspire a new generation of theater lovers.
