playbill vip

     Little Women written by Louisa May Alcott and adapted for the stage by Immaculate alumni, Samantha Brown ‘12, is a coming-of-age story that follows the intricate lives of four sisters: Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth March. The story follows them from the innocence and naivety of childhood into the complexities of adulthood, especially womanhood.

     When approaching a show as touching as Little Women, a vital aspect I sought to recreate was the incomparable chemistry that the sisters have. The immediate warmth and comfort that I feel whenever I watch Little Women (2019) is the reason I feel so drawn to this story. Anyone can feel the surplus of love pouring through the screen, which mesmerizes audience members beyond compare. The contrast between the sisters in Act 1 and Act 2 provided me with the idea to double-cast the actors. Four phenomenal actresses play the younger versions of their characters, and four brilliant actresses play their older counterparts. It was crucial that both actresses per sister needed to be able to connect with their characters on another level, allowing them to elevate the authenticity of their performance.

     I also wanted each sister to have an individual color palette, to allow for correlation between the younger and older actresses. The costume team took that note and blew me away.

     When deciding what show I wanted to direct for my directorial debut, I was immediately drawn to the longevity that this play has. At any point in time, over many years and many generations, the message of the story still remains the same, and will continue to be infinitely relatable for generations to come. The irreplaceable intimacy that hooks audiences was something I vowed to emulate. Performing the show in Immaculate’s dining hall (something some might call a disadvantage), allowed our small cast witth this intimate but powerful story the perfect space it needed to properly communicate the play’s themes of compassion, independence, and self-discovery. I hope that every cast member comes out of this experience feeling a little more confident, a little more fulfilled, and a lot more appreciative of why the arts are important, discovering the unlimited possibilities that the theatre can unlock for you.

Spencer O'Rourke, class of 2025