Flathead High School Theatre will present “Lafayette No. 1” — a powerful story of courage, compassion, and forgotten children— on November 19 and 20 in the David M. Hashley Theatre at FHS.
Ticket prices are $8 for adults and $6 for children, students and senior citizens. Advanced tickets for the show are available on GoFan, Flathead’s on-line ticketing service and also at the FHS Main Office and Photo Video Plus. If available, remaining tickets will be sold at the door.
Set in the summer of 1816, New Orleans is in the grip of a devastating yellow-fever epidemic that is ravaging neighborhoods, stripping away lives and hope. The play introduces the audience to Lizzie Landry, a compassionate young woman who takes it upon herself to help a group of homeless orphans known as “The Forgotten.” Determined to help them find safety and dignity, Lizzie confronts powerful city officials and social elites who see the children as worthless nuisances.
The play’s name comes from Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, one of the first public burial grounds in New Orleans. Many of the characters in the story, including Lizzie and the orphans, are connected to the cemetery both in life and in death. Through poetic and haunting scenes, playwright, Mandy Conner, uses this real-world setting to remind audiences that, no matter how small or poor, every life deserves to be remembered.
“Lafayette No.1” is both a poignant examination of history and a call to remember the vulnerable and overlooked. The one-act play asks some big questions: Who cares when society turns away? Who remembers when so many are forgotten?
Themes of inequality, privilege, and compassion run throughout the story, asking the audience to think about who still gets “forgotten” in our world today.
This special performance of “Lafayette No. 1” is presented by the FHS Acting 3 Class. In Acting 3 IB, students refine their theater skills and experience the process of bringing a full-length production to life. As part of their studies, the students focus on both solo and ensemble work as well as directing, design, and solo performance. Producing “Lafayette No. 1” allows them to collaborate as a group to tell a story that shines a light on themes of inequality, privilege, and compassion while asking the audience to think about who still gets “forgotten” in our world today.
“Lafayette No. 1” is a chance to experience storytelling that honors history, honors youth, and honors the idea that compassion matters most in dark times.
The cast of “Lafayette No. 1” includes: Makenzie Westphal, Audrey Cozad, Taylor Welch, Felicia Nicklaus, Judah Torralbo-Campas, Colin Lincoln, Nat Young, Myla Johnson, Lev Strong, Mark Tucker and Cecelia Harris.
Supporting the production behind the scenes, the tech crew includes: Ava Plum, Paisley Boykin-Smith, Jacob Linden, Adalicia O’Brien, Vanessa Foultner, Helena Pershall, Szonja Czinner, Jolee Pitts, AJ Mannon.
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