Post Falls students to perform 'Pride and Prejudice'

POST FALLS — It’s a story which has been told countless times but continues to resonate across audiences, whether through film, novel or series. 

Students dove into the Trojan Theatre Department production of "Pride and Prejudice" at Post Falls High School and are gearing up to share their hard work with the community tomorrow. 

Emery Mannel said that playing Lizzie Bennet had raised the stakes for her in the performance, but she has loved the love story for as long as she can remember. 

“'Pride and Prejudice' is my favorite book and I have three copies of it. My favorite version is the 2005 movie,” Mannel said. “It’s stressful, but I know how to do it right.” 

Jared McDougall is directing the adaptation by Joseph Hanreddy and J.R. Sullivan with performances at 7 p.m. on April 16, 17, 18, 21, 22. 

The script was one he was excited to bring to his first theatrical production at the school. 

“This particular script plays a lot with time and place,” McDougall said, adding that each line at the end of the scene is woven seamlessly into the next scene, keeping continuity and allowing for swift transitions and pacing through the story. 

Period shows can draw interest through vibrant costuming from a different time, but McDougall gives a lot of credit to wardrobe supervisor Yvette Tremblay for bringing her expertise as a member of the Jane Austen Society to the school production. 

The students spent time to work on the language and immersing themselves in the motivations of their characters. 

Playing Mr. Darcy, student Gavin Tibulski said it’s a constant shift to move between extremes as his character grows over the course of the play. 

“Expectations are high. I’ve heard of ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ but now I’ve gained a respect for Jane Austen,” Tibulski said. 

He said he has learned Mr. Darcy tries to use restraint until the dam explodes because he can no longer contain his emotions.  

Tibulski is ready to show off the knowledge that he’s gained during rehearsals. 

“I grew, myself,” Tibulski said.  

With a cast of 25 and 12 crew members, McDougall said it was a learning curve to balance the needs of different groups while immersing the students in the cultural history, but that he hopes showcasing the period garments and Regency dancing will be a draw for community members to support the theater with $5 admission cost.  

    Students form a circle to stretch and warm up Monday before a rehearsal for "Pride and Prejudice" at Post Falls High School.
  

    Actors stretch ahead of a rehearsal in the Trojan Theatre Department production of "Pride and Prejudice."
  

Students portraying the Bennet family and Mr. Collins move through a scene in the Post Falls High School production of "Pride and Prejudice." Pictured: Eden Manning, S. McGruder-Naron, Emma Ennis, Kamryn Barraza, Jaedyn Sandford, Michael Waite, Madilyn Mushaney, Emery Mannel.