As the 2017-2018 Drury Theatre season begins to draw to a close, the program’s penultimate show is about to make its debut. Treasure Island by Aurand Harris is adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic 1883 pirate adventure novel of the same name. The show is directed at children, but audiences of all ages will enjoy the performance by the hard working Drury theatre students.

Viewers in attendance will be treated to a tale of sword swinging pirates, buried treasure, adventure and even a possible appearance by a certain peg-legged captain.

The play centers around Jim Hawkins, the young son of an innkeeper who is inadvertently swept into a quest for a certain fortune to be found on the titular aquatic retreat. Students starring in main roles include Hannah Villapiano and Keisha McMillen. These actors make up a small part of the vast array of students who have been working hard for months on the final culmination of this production.

Mitch Johnson, photo provided by Johnson

The play is also directed by Drury student, Mitch Johnson. Mitch Johnson is the leading managerial voice behind the production, and this will be his first major directing project for the department after two years of contributing to their performances of Peter and the Wolf. Johnson, a theatre major himself, is eager to see the entire process culminate into the event Drury students will attend.

His hard work researching every aspect of the script, formulating a strategy for auditions and callbacks, casting the show and executing his carefully scheduled rehearsals will become evident with the show’s performances at the end of the month.

He was also excited to work with his team of designers to create the “wonderful world of Treasure Island.” Johnson was joined by numerous other students who make up the theatre staff and stage crew.

This being his first directing experience, Johnson was especially nervous about casting the many roles for the play.

“It was my first time being behind the director’s table, witnessing each and every audition and then having to narrow the list down of who I potentially wanted to cast,” said Johnson.

While he is confident in every aspect of the play, Johnson took time trying to decide his favorite part of the process. Clearly confident in the play’s success, he said compared the task to an artist trying to isolate his favorite part of his most recent artistic masterpiece.

“It seems like a little bit of a cop-out to say that all of it is my favorite,” said Johnson.

Treasure Island will be showing from April 18 to April 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Wilhoit Theatre, located at the northeast corner of Central Avenue and Drury Lane on the south end of the Breech School of Business building. Tickets are $3 for Drury faculty and students and can be purchased in person or over the phone by calling the box office at 417-873-7255. Additional inquiries about Treasure Island and the Drury Theatre program can also be answered box office, open Monday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m, or by visiting www.drury.edu/theatre.

Article written by Mason Coble