This Nov., The Schreiber Theater Company invites you to experience life in “The Community” with four thrilling performances of Lois Lowry’s The Giver, adapted by Eric Coble.  The Giver follows a dystopian town known as The Community, where everything is painless, under control, and safe.  Although this town might seem like an ideal place to live, not everything is what it seems.  The townsfolk have to sacrifice color, climate, emotions, and their ability to make choices in order for everything to be “perfect.”  Nevertheless, this doesn’t stop the cast members from enjoying their time as community members.

          “The Giver is such a unique and fun play, and I’m having a lot of fun being a member of The Community!  I’ve never been in a futuristic/sci-fi dystopian play before, so this experience has been a lot of fun,” said sophomore Max Siskin.   

       Protagonist Jonas, on his 12th birthday, is assigned “The Receiver of Memories,” a special role given to only one person in the whole town.  To begin training for his role, Jonas meets the Giver, the only person in The Community who holds the town’s memories: good or bad.  Throughout his time with the Giver, the utopian illusion begins to fade and Jonas understands that he must do something to change his community forever.  Along the way, Jonas works alongside the Giver to learn countless crucial lessons which will eventually help him to face his destiny.

       “I think it’s a very interesting show that teaches the audience an important lesson,” said sophomore Tori von Roeschlaub. 

        The Giver stars an ensemble of Schreiber students from each grade.  Due to the complex nature of this play, the cast members have been practicing extra hard to understand their characters to deliver the best performances possible.  Seniors Bryson Shaub and Gaia Dash lead the cast as Jonas and the Giver, respectively.  Junior Averie Masia and seniors Nicole Greley and Chris Williams will play Jonas’ Father, Mother, and younger sister Lily.  Additionally, senior Elias Douramanis, juniors Sabrina Grossman and Sean Banks, sophomores Max Siskin and Tori von Roeschlaub, and freshman Maggie Kresic are going to all portray key characters, ranging from Fiona, Jonas’ love interest, to the Chief Elder.   

        “I have loved the process of The Giver this year, as it has been so different from any other show I’ve been in!  The cast and crew have been working so hard to make this show possible and I know it’s going to be amazing,”  said junior Averia Masia.

          The skilled ensemble of Community members include: Tai Abrams, Kathryn Djohan, Bella Ertel, Andy Garcia, Kyle Grossman, Gavin Kinney, James Kott, Aurora Mata, Grayson Meister, Daniel O’Farrell, Liesha Sewani, and Abigail Zlotoff, all from a variety of grades.  Not only has the cast been working tirelessly to make the show flawless, but so have the extremely talented group of crew members.  The show will be directed by Ms. Christine Nelson and produced by Ms. Carly Clancy.  Assisting them will be executive production assistant, senior Talia Sinclair, and junior assistant, sophomore Benjamin Gordon.

          “The Giver has a lot of cool effects that will amaze and thrill the audience. Because the play involves bringing color into a black-and-white world, everyone will be astounded with what the crew has put together to portray this on stage. You will not be bored at any moment while watching the show,” said sophomore production assistant/sound technician Ben Gordon.

The technical crew will be coordinated by Mr. Aaron Prindle, and prop design and construction by Ms. Leah Siskin.  Ms. Helen Albertson & Mr. Richie Albertson will once again work as set builders and painters for the elaborate backdrop.  Finally, Mr. Michael Siskin will be working as the head of photography for the play.  If you are interested in attending a performance of  The Giver, it will be taking place on Nov. 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m., as well as on Nov. 19 and 20 at 2 p.m.  To buy tickets and for more information, please visit www.portnet.org/schreiber (tickets will only be sold online this year).