“Town Hall” premieres at Doane

“This is not important. This is just a play.”

In the dimly lit Whitcomb Lee Conservatory, junior Ella Zubieni, sophomore Emily Dominguez, freshman Frankie McClaren and freshman Kenzie Sanders stood not on stage, but among the audience, setting the tone for “Town Hall,” a play performed Sept. 19-21. The production, starring the four leads, delved into themes of identity, exploring who we are and who we might become through a blend of dialogues and monologues.

The set was minimal. Part of the theater had been sectioned off, creating an intimate, small-scale seating area with space in the center for the cast, who sat on black foldable chairs. The stage was tiered with scattered props, all of which were used throughout the 90-minute play.

The narrative of “Town Hall” was nonlinear and abstract, touching on themes such as freedom, sound resonance, faith, sex, memories, loneliness and hope for the future. Simple, everyday topics—bad jokes, cold coffee, baseball, swimming, cereal and smiling animals—were also woven into the performance. Characters often begin with a lighthearted story, like receiving a marzipan pig for Christmas, only to transition into reflections on guilt and regret.

Although the audience didn’t directly participate in the play, they were referenced throughout and addressed as town council members. The actors frequently engaged with the crowd, making eye contact and gestures and even stepping into the audience during certain moments, creating a sense of familiarity.

The production wasn’t flashy. Everything from the staging to the costumes was practical. Where “Town Hall” excelled, however, was in its use of lighting and the strength of the performances. The chiaroscuro, or stark contrast of lighting, emphasized the cast’s features and actions, while subtle shifts in body language added layers of meaning to the dialogue.

At one point, the four actors performed a rendition of “Down to the River to Pray,” leading into a discussion on faith and belief. Dominguez Dominguez reflected on her enjoyment of singing, and the other characters encouraged her to do it more often as a way to embrace life’s little joys. Later in the production, Emily led a chant on war, rhythmically striking a drumstick against a metal ladder to amplify the message.

As the play concluded, each character introduced themselves to one another using their real names, having spent the entirety of the production not knowing each other’s names. One by one, they exited the stage, until only Zubieni remained. Bathed in blue light, she was the only character who had not shared her name.

She recalled a memory she had referenced earlier in the play, saying, “I remember standing at the edge of the pool pretending it was the ocean.” After finishing her reflection, she finally introduced herself to the audience.

The performance ended with a standing ovation, marking the close of “Town Hall.” This is the first of four productions the Doane Theatre Department will stage this year. The next, a musical, is set to premiere in late November.