TORRINGTON – The Goshen County School District’s high school drama students are set to perform their fall showcase, a performance of various musical numbers, a one-act play and a series of monologues Nov. 18, 19 and 20 in the Torrington High School auditorium.

The show will begin with musical numbers such as “Good Morning Baltimore” from “Hairspray” and “A Trip to the Library” from “She Loves Me” performed by the students. GCSD theatre director and show director Christine Quillen has set the showcase up so parents can bring young children to the musical numbers, but strongly discourages young children from attending the second part of the show.

The one-act play “The Cry of the Peacock” and “Divided We Fall,” a series of monologues, focus on the more mature themes of child abuse and trauma. Attendance is not encouraged for children under the age of 13.

“One basic thing about our showcase is that its main topic is mental health,” sophomore Olivia Judkins said. Judkins plays a victim of child abuse in “The Cry of the Peacock.” “So, a lot of what we’re talking about could possibly trigger some PTSD that people have because there’s abuse, there’s a bunch of things that could trigger some people and we just want them to know that beforehand, so that way nothing bad happens.”

Counselors will be available after the show for anyone looking to seek help for abuse, mental illness or any other issue which may come to the surface watching the show.

“The Cry of the Peacock” focuses on the story of young Mary Blanton, a 9-year-old girl who claims her nightmares have come to life and attack her at night. Mary’s teacher worries about the marks she sees on Mary’s neck and reports the possibility of child abuse in Mary’s home. Mary and her parents are taken to see Dr. Janice Todd, played by sophomore Kaycee McCallen. Dr. Todd does her best to investigate but finds herself on trial for malpractice after the case ends in tragedy. Playwright Billy Boone says parts of this play came to him in dreams after a young boy died of physical abuse in the small town where Boone lived.

“Divided We Fall” is a play made of a series of monologues by Bryan Starchman from the perspective of teenagers who share with each other the illnesses and traumas they each face. In telling about their experiences, they find comfort and hope.

“When we remain divided, it is easy to fall,” Starchman said. “But when we feel safe enough to talk and when others truly listen, only then do we realize we are not alone.”

The teenagers in the play receive individual help because they open up about their problems.

“Everyone has burdens, but when we reach out, find our voice and share our pain, it makes us stronger,” Quillen said. “We realize that what we are experiencing is not limited to us alone and that others will have our back.”

Quillen also says delving into these topics with her students has led to “some really good talks” with them. 

“There’s different perspectives…We want to show that there’s different things that go on in people’s lives,” Judkins said.

McCallen agrees that being a part of this show has helped open eyes to different perspectives.

“’Divided We Fall’ especially because, you know, it’s a series of monologues with the perspective of high school students,” McCallen said. “A lot of what they talk about within their monologues is actual stuff that goes on in schools. So, me personally, it helps me understand not to be just blatantly rude to someone about some things.”

The price of admission to the show on both nights is a donation of canned or dry food, which will go to WyoHelp to help families during the holiday season. The show will begin at 7 p.m. on Nov. 18 and 19 and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 20.