Trevecca Theatre presents Kate Hamill’s witty adaption of Jane Austen’s “Emma”

By Jasmin Enriquez Martinez

Features Editor

Trevecca’s Theatre department will perform the comedic coming-of-age story Emma adapted by Kate Hamill this Friday. 

The show will take place in Benson Auditorium in McClurkan, opening Feb. 20 and running through March 1. 

The theatre production of Emma is based on Jane Austen’s classic novel but with a modern twist. The show follows Emma Woodhouse, a young woman who decides to play matchmaker trying to bring people together like her friend Harriet Smith. However, her matchmaking will cause mistakes and learning opportunities as she matures as a character. 

Clara Tallman,a freshman theatre education major, who plays Harriet Smith describes her character as emotional, funny and likable. 

“She’s likable but she’s also not very smart,” Tallman said. “Not the sharpest tool in the shed but I think she just really wants to find love.” 

Tallman looks forward to getting her energy from the audience and for them to learn more about her character. 

“She [Harriet Smith] kind of gains a sense of who she is and what she wants rather than what Emma wants for her throughout the play,” said Tallman. “That’s a really cool thing for people to watch and maybe even find that in themselves.” 

After doing And Then They Came For Me in January, Director Jeff Frame, professor of dramatic arts and communication studies, said he wanted to do something lighter while still fitting into the theme of past plays done this school year. 

“Emma kind of does that. It focuses on the theme of being careful about making assumptions about other people without fully understanding who they are [and] fully understanding the context of their situations,” said Frame. 

Emma also serves as a reminder of women’s difficulties to be honored, respected and understood, said Frame. 

Tallman describes the show as colorful in both set and costumes but especially in the characters. 

The show will include audience interaction with the main character, Emma.

“I’m excited to have the audience there because then all of this interaction will happen with them there,” said Frame. 

Tickets are available online at trevecca.edu/theatre or at the box office night of the performance.