Chinookians will tread the boards in upcoming "To Kill a Mockingbird"

The Montana Actors' Theatre will launch its production of "To Kill a Mockingbird" during the weekend of April 8-9. Three actors from Chinook will be in the play and there are other strong connections between the production company and the town. The play will be presented eight times during a three weekend period in April.

"To Kill a Mockingbird"

"To Kill a Mockingbird" was published, as a novel, in 1960. Harper Lee, the author, wrote the novel based loosely on her observations of her family and neighbors and an event that occurred in her hometown in 1936, when she was 10 years old. The novel plot revolves around a local lawyer's defense of an African American man charged with raping a white woman. It's a story with warmth and humor despite its dealing with rape and racial inequality. The novel won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 but Harper refused to comment on the book since 1964.

Harper Lee died in February, 2016, at age 90. Shortly before she died she published her only other book, "Go Set a Watchman," an earlier draft of "To Kill a Mockingbird." The original book is often taught in schools, used a basis to discuss examples of racial heroism. The book was challenged, and in some cases banned, because of its use of racial epithets. A 1962 movie, adapted from the book, won an Oscar.

Chinook actors

Two sixth graders and one adult, from Chinook, have roles in the upcoming play. The original book has more than 40 characters. Liam Edwards and Shay Hauer, students at Meadowlark Elementary, will perform two of four roles for young actors. Greg Jergeson plays two adult roles in the production.

This is the first time acting for Greg Jergeson. He plays Judge John Taylor who appoints Atticus Finch (a small town lawyer) to defend the accused, not popular in the Deep South in the 1930's setting of the novel and play. Jergeson also plays Walter Cunningham, Sr., a client of the lawyer but also a leader of the mob who comes to lynch the accused.

Jergeson said, "I got interested in acting after winning a cameo, non-speaking role in last year's production of "Everyone Loves Zombies (except Ashley)."" At a fundraiser for Montana Actors' Theatre, Jergeson won the cameo role in a raffle. He decided to audition for "To Kill a Mockingbird." Jergeson laughed when he told, "For all my years in state government I was never a lawyer. Now I'm playing a judge."

Shay Hauer has the role of Scout, Atticus Finch's daughter. Shay is a sixth grader and said she had done several roles in the Missoula Children's Theatre's productions staged in Chinook. As to her future in acting, she said, "I'll look for kids' roles in productions with the Montana Actor's group and hope to be a part of the Speech and Drama Club when I get to high school."

As to her role as Scout, Shay added, "One of our directors, Mr. Mayer, told me that Harper Lee supposedly based the role of Scout on herself. Harper Lee just died and I feel very fortunate to be playing this role." Shay was wearing overalls, keeping in character with the tom boy nature of Scout.

Liam Edwards, also a sixth grader, has done a number of roles in the Missoula Children's Theatre productions. Speaking of his other acting roles, he said, "I once even had a role in a play at a bar." His mom, Tammy, explained later, "Another actor got sick at the last minute and Liam took the part." It was a community production at a local veterans' club.

Liam also wants to pursue future roles as an actor. Now too old for the Missoula group's productions, he wants to be active in speech and drama in high school. He's also attended several summer acting camps to sharpen his skills. Liam plays Jem, Atticus Finch's son and the protector of his sister, Scout, in the play.

Other connections to Chinook

Jay Pyette, the founder of Montana Actors' Theatre, is also a native of Chinook. Pyette has done virtually every facet of the production company's tasks as a director, actor and stage technician, working behind the scenes. He currently is the Executive Artistic Director of the organization. His wife, Dana Pyette, is an ex-officio member of the company's board of directors and has directed plays in the past. She recently became Chief Executive Officer of Sweet Medical Center, which serves both the Chinook and Harlem areas. Craig Lowham, Branch President of First Bank of Montana in Chinook, is a member of the board of directors.

Ticket information

"To Kill a Mockingbird" will be presented on April 8 and 9, 14-16 and 21-23, for a total of eight performances. All performances are at the MSU-Northern campus in Havre. Tickets can be purchased at these local businesses: Fiveheads; Bear Paw Meats; Computer Center and Greytak Realty. Or, go to http://www.actors.com, the Montana Actors' Theatre's website to purchase tickets online. Performances often sellout, advanced ticket purchases are strongly encouraged.