Lessons from the Dead: A New Adaptation of Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Master
at Independence High School

Reviewed on May 21, 2021

Maura Pelczynski
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Our lives are precious, and like most precious things, they are terribly fragile. One occurrence could change the course of our lives forever, like the wind redirecting the sails of a ship. One occurrence could also stop our lives, abruptly and without warning. These ideas are explored in Independence High School's double feature of Lessons from the Dead and Bullseye.

Lessons from the Dead is a short play featuring a collection of monologues and songs from the recently deceased residents of a small Illinois town. Set during the 1800s, the characters use their stories as messages and warnings to those still living. Through both speech and song, the characters weave a narrative about the fragility of life.

Lessons from the Dead was more than just a series of monologues and solos, however. The show was a beautiful ensemble performance. The actors rarely left the stage blank; they always created a world with just themselves and a few wooden chairs. A single spotlight was used to highlight each speaker, as blue lights draped the ensemble in a hazy shadow. Their silhouettes painted pictures of each monologue, demonstrating the power of the collective troupe. The ensemble sounded gorgeous in every song. With just a lone pianist (Max Schellhammer) for instrumentals, the soft harmonies of the choir pulled the focus. The standout singers were the soloists, Max Layman, Kelly Donlan, Paul Hartmann, and Katie Phillips.

The dramatic lighting of each scene gave the chilling impression of past souls coming to life again, and each cue was excellently directed by Connor Thatcher. Also helping bring the world of Lessons from the Dead to life were the historically accurate costumes. All the costumes fit the characters well, from grandiose dresses demonstrating wealth to plain yet elegant brown frocks. The costumes were the time machines transporting the audience back into the 19th century.

Independence High School's second feature was a short film written and directed by student Casserley Grace. This silent film was based on her own experience as an athlete struggling with Lyme disease. Told only through breathtaking cinematography and visual storytelling, the non-linear tale follows the athletic Miller (played by Jack Grace) as his condition worsens.

Jack Grace's performance was excellent. Acting without words, his expressiveness and physicality portrayed the athlete's pain.

Furthermore, Casserley Grace's cinematography was jaw-dropping. Wide nature shots illuminated the environment, juxtaposed against the shaky, disjointed perspective shots through Miller's eyes. The story, despite lacking a linear narrative, had a strong flow. Costume differences made changes in time clear, and made following the story easy. Casserley also composed the score for the film, which matched the tone wonderfully. The music was mostly calming, but progressively grew disjointed as Miller's pain grew worse. In a sense, the music acted as the unspoken dialogue of the film.

From death to disease, our lives are often racked with unexpected tragedy. Independence High School's double feature of Lessons from the Dead and Bullseye remind us to cherish what we have. Each life is invaluable. So no matter where the course of fate takes you, be sure to treasure every breath.

McKenzie Phelan
Quince Orchard High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

What does it mean to be alive? And is it worth it to live one's life at all?

Students at Independence High School addressed those questions with their productions of Lessons from the Dead and Bullseye. Lessons From the Dead was based on Spoon River Anthology, a collection of 211 fictional epitaphs for villagers in a small Illinois town during the early Victorian period, written by Edgar Lee Masters. The play was first conceived by Independence High School students as a virtual performance, but it was adapted into a one-act stage play as the school's submission to the Virginia High School League. Bullseye, on the other hand, was a short film chronicling a runner's struggle with Lyme disease, as he slowly loses his passion for a sport he once loved. Both pieces reckoned with love, loss, life, and identity, and what it means to be human.

As a collection of monologues, Lessons from the Dead offered moments for all its actors to shine. Jacquline Louh was particularly impressive in the role of Dora Williams, a rich widow who ended up poisoned by her third husband. Her stage presence and indifferent attitude towards her tragic death made her especially compelling to the audience. Also notable was Kelly Donlan as Hannah Armstrong, a woman who spent months travelling the country searching for a relative who was injured in the war. Her effective use of movement and her tangible desperation made for a stunning performance.

Music played a pivotal role in both productions. In Lessons From the Dead, piano music (provided by Max Schellhammer) accompanied many of the monologues. Musical interludes were also a part of the narrative - Katie Phillips, who also played Sarah Brown, offered a stunning solo rendition of "Shenandoah," showing off her immense vocal range and acting skills. The ensemble also offered wonderful harmonies in the show's group numbers. In Bullseye, music was relied upon to tell the story - a constant stream of simple piano notes (composed digitally by Casserley Grace, who also directed, edited, and produced the film) punctuated and enhanced emotional moments.

The technical elements of each show were also commendable. Lessons from the Dead was performed on a mostly bare stage, with a dozen mismatched chairs representing each of the dozen actors. The chairs allowed for a world to be created within the stage, as well as allowing for social distancing between the masked performers. Bullseye had eye-catching cinematography, with excellent use of light and shadow, as well as dramatic camera angles.

Mankind may not yet know the meaning of life, but the students at Independence High School have come close to an answer. With pathos, inspiration and an understanding of the human spirit, these performers have created memorable pieces that are sure to sway audiences.

Edie Obernberger
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

Life is hard--that is a truth we experience each day. Yet, even with life constantly bucking us around on its ups and downs, we hold on and ride it out with vigor. In an inspiring double feature of Lessons from the Dead and original short film, Bullseye, Independence High School helps us to realize that our determination and ability to prosper through difficult situations are what make human life so special.

Lessons from the Dead, a play with music, consists of a collection of monologues from the fiction text Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters. Set in the Victorian era, each character shares their own life lesson or story. One of the first stories told was by Daniel McCumber (Max Layman), who was fantastic at setting the stage. Layman's rich voice perfectly fit the Victorian era, enhancing the performance and bringing a truly genuine feel to the show. Other especially effective and notable storytellers were Jefferson Howard (Henry Joyce) and Hannah Armstrong (Kelly Donlan), who displayed amazing emotional range and growth throughout their monologues. As their volume grew along with their stories' intensity, they truly brought their characters' stories to life. The musical aspects of the show were wonderful as well, with stunning solos by Kelly Donlan, Katie Phillips, Paul Hartmann, and Max Layman, along with a flawless ensemble. The clarity and depth of all the soloists paired with the perfect entrances, timing, and vocal mix of the ensemble worked to create seamless transitions into song in between monologues.

Right alongside the actors in helping the show come to fruition were the amazing technical elements. With piano played beautifully by Max Schellhammer, dynamics never overshadowed the actors, and the soul put into the music brought the show to the next level and gave it a true grace. The lighting (Connor Thatcher) was also done very well, at times giving actors eerie silhouettes and providing well-placed spotlights that highlighted certain actors even while others were onstage.

Independence's next performance, Bullseye, was a much more personal production done by a brother-sister duo, Jack and Casserley Grace. This short film completely written, directed, and produced by Casserley over several months centers on an athlete struggling with Lyme disease--an experience from Casserley's own life.

Acting through the entire film without a single word, Jack Grace played Miller, the sole character, beautifully. A fantastic natural actor, Grace showed very realistic progression of sickness throughout the film, never overdoing his symptoms while showing the true effect they were having on him both physically and mentally. Even getting to the point of tears as the stress, confusion, and fear became too much, Grace's emotion trivialized the use of words, forming a deeper connection without them.

On the other side of the camera was Casserley Grace, running every other aspect of production. With gorgeous cuts, angles, and beautiful shots, the cinematography was extremely impressive and exceeded expectations of any high school student. From artistic switches to first person view to filming location and setup, Grace's vision and execution was awe-inspiring. Equally incredible was her composition of an original score. Despite having never attempted it before, Grace's score was amazing and reflected the story and struggles the character was facing. Achieving a very difficult feat, the music was always ambient, never distracting, yet was under everything and became more and more unsettling as the story went on.

In their talent-filled, inspiring performances, Independence High School's production of Bullseye and Lessons from the Dead remind us that the hardships we face, and, more importantly, how we handle them, are what make us unique and strong.

Hayley Asai
Quince Orchard High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Now

Even in the darkest times of life, is there still something to be learned? What is the point of it all? Independence High School's gripping stories of drama attempted to provide answers. From the epitaphs of Victorian dead to Lyme disease, Independence High School's double feature of "Lessons From the Dead" and "Bullseye" both took a sincere look at the inherently human ability to find lessons through struggle.

"Lessons From the Dead" was adapted from the book "Spoon River Anthology" by Edgar Lee Masters. The book is a fictional text which contains dozens of epitaphs for the members of a town who have passed on. Each resident has their own specific story to share that highlights part of the human condition regarding life, love, and death.

Upon first viewing, the cast of seventeen was scattered throughout the stage with backlit silhouettes. Then a voice rang out, haunting and choir-like, and the room brimmed with a ravishing yet refined sound. As the rest of the cast joined in, the room was awash with colorful melodies and harmonies. Kelly Donlan, Paul Hartmann, Max Layman, and Katie Phillips, all soloists in the show, had sophisticated and dramatic voices which lent themselves toward the somber material of the show. Phillips, who was the soloist for "Shenandoah," boasted an unforgettable bright and elegant sound.

The masks each performer wore obscured their faces. Connor Thatcher, responsible for the lighting of the show, designed simple yet intuitive lighting to resolve this. Thatcher's work allowed for a clear understanding of which character was speaking despite the masks which concealed the actors' faces. His lighting also displayed the dramatic yet heartfelt nature of the show, spotlighting those who monologued while the rest of the actors' silhouettes were visible but weren't distracting. As a whole, Thatcher's lighting allowed for the thematic unity of the stories to shine through and for the actors to excel.

Independence then shifted to the student film "Bullseye." The show detailed the difficult journey of getting Lyme disease and the toll it takes on a person's body. The main character, Miller, who was played by Jack Grace, was a student-athlete who got Lyme disease. We began to see the toll it took on his body and his athletic efforts, and he became more ill and struggled to recover. Jack Grace's acting was modest without overdramatizing the plight of Miller, yet he still lent a delicate nuance to the role. It was through his subtle and carefully crafted acting that the true weight of the story was visible.

The other half of the brother-sister pair that worked on "Bullseye" was Casserley Grace. Casserley Grace, who devised the concept of the show, teamed up with her brother to produce the film and worked as the director, screenplay writer, cinematographer, composer, editor, production designer, website designer, and playbill designer. Although Casserley Grace contributed nearly every aspect, her cinematography was the centerpiece. The film was full of a variety of shots, from sweeping wide shots during the running portions to intimate first-person shots as Miller collapsed onto the bathroom floor. A full expression of the struggle of Lyme disease, Casserley Grace's cinematography utilized the medium at its maximum.

These two heavy shows from Independence High School with an optimistic outlook are both triumphs of student effort. Although "Lessons From the Dead" and "Bullseye" were two vastly different shows, they managed to share one idea: people do not suffer just to suffer, but rather to learn something and make the best of their situation.

Alyssa Medici
Langley High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Times-Mirror

Independence High School's productions of "Lessons from the Dead" and "Bullseye" explored life and its challenges, and how love drives us forward. "Lessons from the Dead," adapted for the stage from a book by Edgar Lee Masters, presented the tales of residents of a Victorian-era Illinois town as they recounted life, love, and tragedy. "Bullseye," student-created and directed by Casserley Grace, explored the impact that Lyme disease had on a boy, Miller, and showed his nonlinear struggle with the disease.

The cast of "Lessons from the Dead" had an absolutely fantastic group dynamic. They used the space they had in an artful manner, making social distancing look like a choreographed affair rather than an intentional six-foot distance. A wide variety of wooden chairs populated the stage, acting as both a minimalist set and an accent to characters -- a reminder that, like each chair, each character's story was unique. Even when they weren't speaking, the cast of "Lessons from the Dead" held a dynamic energy about them. The group would move about, providing actions to accompany a speaker's words, and emphasized characters' monologues without distracting from the actor who was speaking.

Accenting the stories told and the tone of the show were songs, populating the spaces between every few monologues. The cast of "Lessons from the Dead" was fantastic vocally, and, combined with the masterful piano accompaniment by Max Schellhammer, had the nature of a professional choir. Soloist Sarah Brown (Katie Phillips) particularly stood out with her stunning vocals in the song "Shenandoah."

The technical elements of "Lessons from the Dead" were minimal, but accented the show perfectly. The lighting, orchestrated by Connor Thatcher, was a great companion to the activity happening onstage. A cool blue light lit up the cyclorama upstage as a perfect backdrop for the monologues, and the low light on the rest of the stage allowed for the ensemble to be silhouetted in the background.

"Bullseye" contained just one character: a boy named Miller, played by Jack Grace, who struggled with Lyme disease. Grace did not utter a single word throughout the short film, and instead put on an extremely compelling performance though his actions alone. He perfectly captured the vulnerability and perseverance of someone struggling with Lyme disease without being overly dramatic.

Jack Grace's performance was truly enhanced by the masterful direction, cinematography, editing, and composing of Casserley Grace. The camera work made for a truly beautiful film of professional quality, and the editing was clean, deliberate, and impactful. The short film was portrayed in a non-chronological way: the shots flipped back and forth, juxtaposing Miller's healthier moments with his weaker moments, and perfectly demonstrated the idea that recovery is not linear. The score, written and composed by Casserley Grace, was incredible, and allowed for Miller's story to not only be seen on screen, but also heard and felt through the music. Casserley Grace took on the awe-inspiring feat of writing, directing, and handling all technical elements to tell her own story, and it completely paid off.

Both "Lessons from the Dead" and "Bullseye" explored somber topics in a masterful way. Independence High School's productions demonstrated the tumultuous and non-linear nature of life, and served as reminders to cherish every moment, even if it's a challenge.

David (DJ) Strigel
Tuscarora High School
Submitted for publication to Blue Ridge Leader

Life is full of hardships and struggles, whether it be through the loss of loved ones, sickness, or other stressful situations. While they were different stories set in different periods, Independence High School's productions of Lessons from the Dead and Bullseye illustrated these concepts of life struggle through their creative and dynamic storytelling.

Lessons from the Dead and Bullseye were two vastly different shows, yet they had common themes and were executed strongly. Lessons from the Dead was a show based off of the acquaintances of Edgar Lee Masters during the Victorian Era. The production encapsulated the lives of characters and their experiences with death that came from Masters' original book, Spoon River Anthology. While Lessons from the Dead was a stage production, Bullseye was an entirely student-written and produced short film by Casserley Grace that surrounded a young teen who attempted to cope with Lyme Disease.

Both productions were effective in portraying interesting characters by using ingenious and dynamic characters, physical movement, and clever scenery. The ensemble of Lessons from the Dead worked together smoothly, which was vital to maintain the story's meaning as it progressed. With one sole director, Bullseye was profound because of its intriguing story and camera movements.

Both productions featured notable performances from actors and actresses alike. Katie Phillips' portrayal of Sarah Brown in Lessons from the Dead was meaningful and impressive, as her voice and projection while she sang was key in telling the story through song. Unlike the staged production, Bullseye had one actor, Jack Grace, who performed as Miller with presence and realism. Although Grace never spoke, his movements, emotions, and quirks contributed to the story's message successfully.

Every song in Lessons from the Dead was sung in unison, enabling each song to be alluring and harmonious. The ensemble was superb in moving across the stage efficiently and used every section of the stage to make the show dynamic. Mason Wood's performance as the union soldier, Knowlt Hoheimer, was executed appropriately due to his creative voice alteration and delivery.

The tech elements of both productions were substantial to create more compelling and engaging stories. The lighting in each show was sufficient and enabled each actor to be seen. In Lessons from the Dead, Connor Thatcher's work on the lighting included spotlights and silhouettes, which were used to convey an ominous and eerie tone. In Bullseye, the use of numerous types of shots and camera angles varied the scenes enough to make each one unique and intriguing. The music of each show was remarkable, with Casserley Grace's original score in Bullseye and Max Schellhammer's piano expertise in Lessons from the Dead being key highlights to each production.

Lessons from the Dead and Bullseye were two shows of different backgrounds, yet they each expressed valuable messages about the appreciation of life. As evidenced by the unique plots and deep themes of each show, the casts of Lessons from the Dead and Bullseye worked extremely hard to put forth memorable shows, in which they certainly succeeded in doing.