Stick Wife Entertaining, Educational

Darrah Cloud's play about hatred, racism, family and life comes alive in John Countryman's adaptation at Berry College.

The Berry College Theatre Company presented “The Stick Wife,” a drama about the struggles in southern life, Nov. 8-11 and Nov. 15-18 at the E. H. Young Theatre at Berry College.

The play, directed by John Countryman, focused on the lives of wives of Ku Klux Klan members during the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Ala., that killed four black girls in 1963.

“We got a pretty good picture of that moment in time when the play was set in the time of the civil rights movement,” Countryman said of all those involved in the production and research process for the play. “It really began to feel [like] we had a play in our hands . . . that served as a warning to people to not forget the past.”

Daniela Cardenas portrays Jessie Bliss, the wife of Ed (played by Keith Brooks), who lives under the pressure of her husband’s abuse and must deal with his involvement in the Ku Klux Klan and the church bombing. Bliss’s interaction with the other characters -- Marguerite Pullet (Erin Dubyak) and Betty Conner (Katy Reichert) and their husbands -- shows the oppression and injustice in society at the time.

“The Stick Wife” presents the audience with historical events that are important to know about, Reichert said.

“People are more aware, more [aware of] our history, where we’ve come from and how far we still have to go,” Reichert said. “It really shows people why there’s so much hatred. Hatred always stems from fear. It helps them understand it a bit better.”

After portraying Tom Pullet, Ian Alexander said that he was lucky to not be in the same situation as his angry character.

“This situation is still occurring today, though not nearly as much,” Alexander said. “It just makes me feel very fortunate that I have never had to be in that kind of situation.”

The women in the play go through a difficult time, explained Dubyak. “I mean these women are incredibly oppressed and each has their own ways of coping,” she said. “Marguerite thinks she’s nothing without her husband.”

The Play's stark portrayal of racism, hate and family

is what makes it really stand out and have impact
Photo courtersy of BCTC

Preparing for the Play

Not only was the play seen as intense, but Reichert said the process was, as well.

“I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. It was definitely more emotionally challenging than I thought it would be,” Reichert said. “It’s been a great experience, but it was difficult to get through it.”

The company began work on the play following fall break and put in long hours with the costume designing department which worked up to 80 hours a week. The actors had only a little more than two weeks to learn their lines on their own time said Alice Bristow, costume designer and an assistant professor at Berry.

Rachel Cockrell, the props master, was amazed with the talent of the actors, especially in such a compelling play, "I’m just impressed by their skills and professionalism.”

Sarah Countryman, stage manager and daughter of Countryman, explained that this play was a production that her father wanted to do since she was a child.

“He wanted to do it mostly because of the message behind it for Berry College, Rome, and the South in general,” Sarah Countryman said. “I know he’s really proud of it.”

Cockrell felt the play’s theme and its actors were stirring and she felt fortunate to be involved in the production process.

“By end of it my heart was pounding. It’s very moving and very powerful,”Cockrell said. “The people up on stage were not my friends. They did an amazing job and I got to be part of this.”

The Cast and Crew

Director:
John Countryman
Dr. Countryman earned his M.A. from the University of Massachusetts, and his doctorate from Bowling Green University. He has won many awards including the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival Award of Excellence. Having taught at Berry since 1989, he holds the title of Associate Professor.


Costume Designer:
Alice Bristow
Alice Bristow has been steadily producing costumes for Opera, Ballet, and Theatre since completing her MFA at Indiana University. She has produced costumes for Indiana Repertory Theatre, University of Michigan, and more. The costume designer at Berry, she serves as the faculty supervisor of the costume shop.

• Ed Bliss: Keith Brooks

Keith Brooks is a junior at Berry College and a Theater major.

Keith Brooks talks about "The Stick Wife" on Viking Vision (relevant portion begins 2:23 into the clip)

• Jessie Bliss: Daniela Cardenas

Jessie Bliss is a junior at Berry College and a Theater major

• Marguerite Pullet: Erin Dubyak

Erin Dubyak is a senior at Berry College and an interdisciplinary major.

• Tom Pullet: Ian Alexander

Ian Alexander is a Junior at Berry College and a theater major.

• Betty Conner: Katy Reichert

Katy Reichert is a senior at Berry College and a theater major

• Props master: Rachel Cockrell

Rachel Cockrell is a sophomore at Berry College and an English major

• Stage manager: Sarah Countryman

Sarah Countryman is a sophomore at Berry College and an interdisciplinary major.

Photo archive

See the BCTC Archives page for more pictures from "The Stick Wife" and other great plays.

For information on the Berry College Theatre Company, please visit its web site, or call the box office at 706-236-2263.

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