October 10, 2017

PACS Fine Arts Presents Still Life with Iris

The Prince Avenue Christian School high school Fine Arts Department will present Still Life with Iris on October 19 at 7:00 pm, October 20 at 7:00 pm, and October 21 at 2:00 and 7:00 pm.  All shows are at Seney-Stovall Chapel.  Tickets are $12 online and $15 at the door.  

“Are you curious or lost?” This is the question that Iris (senior Mary Grace Palmer) finds herself asking as she searches for her home. Still Life with Iris, written by Steven Dietz is a fantasy/adventure/drama that follows the life of Iris, a young girl from the magical land of Nocturno. In Nocturno the things seen in the world by day are made there by night. Residents of Nocturno do not hold their memories in their minds, but rather in their coats (known as “past coats”). Citizens of Nocturno are warned not to “trip and get a rip” or their memories could be harmed. The journey begins when the past coats of Iris and her mother (senior Rebecca Hathaway) are taken from them by Mr. Matternot (sophomore Thompson Sewell), and Iris is brought to live on Great Island. The rulers of Great Island are Gretta and Grotto Good (juniors Abby Frost and Christopher Harding). They only allow the best of things to be seen, owning only one of everything. Any superfluous items or people are thrown into the tunnel of the unwanted. Through the help of some friends she meets along the way, Iris searches for her home and the truth of her past.

This play explores the ideas of home, family, one's past, and ultimately identity. From a spiritual perspective, the audience is reminded that this earth is not an eternal home and that a person's identity must lie in Christ, the firm foundation. In addition to the thirteen wonderful PACS actors,  there are four crew members – Deven Desai (stage manager), Isaac Moore (assistant stage manager), Logan Thomas (sound), and Chloe Ferguson (makeup and hair). The fine arts students at PACS are also multi-talented. Actor Abby Frost has designed the set for this production, and stage manager Deven Desai designed the lights.  

One week after the show closes, the students will travel with the show to Gainesville, Georgia to compete in the Georgia High School Association Region 8 One Act Competition.