The Spokane Falls Community College Drama department put on a play in the Spartan Theater called “Fire Melt Stone.” This play was written by our own SFCC professor Kemuel DeMoville and directed by Chris Hansen. The target audience for this play was for children and ran under an hour long. The performances were shown on March 6,7,8,13,14,15.
The children sitting in the audience watching the play seemed very entertained and said so themselves when asked afterward. The drama department brought over “1,100 of Spokane’s school children to campus to watch this play, in addition to having the opportunity to learn about the college while here, they engaged with the history of their city and discovered empathy for a 12-year-old girl who whispers in stones,” said Hansen.
This play was set back in the time of the Spokane fires in 1889 and the 12-year-old girl whispering in stones he’s referring to is the main character Matty played by Megan Barlow-Jones. Megan did a remarkable job capturing the audience with her passionate acting and reiling us into the life and perspective of a girl struggling in hard times.
Being pulled into a world of childlike wonder and tall tales of magic stones was very nicely done by all the actors portraying children. Matty’s two friends in the play were her younger sister, Dot, played by Nalini Jeffords, and their friend George played by Dani Healy. Jeffords was excellent in showing the audience the innocence of young children, and the love her character had for her sister. Healy played his character well, showing major concern for the well-being of his two friends, but the character was also timid and shy among the scenes where they were bullied by a group of girls.
Sarah Plumb did a wonderful portrayal of a struggling mother trying to do what’s best to take care of her family. Plumb’s acting is always very well done, and she really sinks herself into her characters, bringing them to life!
The play also had flashbacks of Matty and her late father, and throughout the play we can see Matty’s struggle in dealing with the loss of her dad and how its affecting the family and her own life. Matthew Gerard played the father and portrayed his character in a nurturing, sweet, paternal way that tugged at the heart strings of the audience. Conner Gracios character Klein brought comic relief to the sad nature of the play. Characters Bess played by Kat Snyder, Franny played by Nikki Green, and Winnifred played by Bree Castillo, were perfect examples of the mean girls we all knew in school, and wonderfully played by these ladies.
The lights and effects used in the play brought an eerie, slightly scary mood and feeling to the play, fitting for the plot of chasing monsters, nightmares and fires.
Overall, this children’s play was wonderfully written and put on by members of our SFCC drama department. The next play, “The Witch,” by Thomas Middleton, will be put on May 28-31 in the Spartan Theater, if COVID-19 precautions have not been extended by the school or state. The play will take place in an ancient forest with noble families, witchcraft and romance.