By Jasmin Shirley
On May 10 at 7 pm I was able to witness a great production by the York Students presenting this play.”Old Settler” is a play by John Henry Redwood set in 1943 Harlem, New York. It follows the story of two sisters, Quilly and Lou Bessie, who live together and have their lives disrupted by the arrival of a country traveler, Husband Witherspoon. Quilly, the younger sister, becomes infatuated with Husband, sparking jealousy and tension between the sisters. As the story unfolds, the characters confront issues of love, loss, and identity.”Old Settler” explores themes of family, resilience, and the search for belonging in a rapidly changing world. The play captures the essence of life in Harlem during the 1940s, highlighting the struggles and triumphs of its vibrant community.
When conducting a quick interview with Harlen Penn the director of this show and a professor of York College for the theater department, some questions were asked:
- How did it feel to direct this play and how were the students with their roles?
“IT WAS GREAT DIRECTING THIS PLAY, I DESIGNED THE SET FOR THIS PLAY A YEAR AGO, AND FROM THAT EXPERIENCE, I GREW TO LOVE THIS PLAY. THE STUDENTS DID AN EXCELLENT JOB, THEY ALL DID THE NECESSARY THINGS TO TRANSFORM THEMSELVES TO 1942, HARLEM.”
- What was the most difficult part of putting this production together?
“ THE PRODUCTION BUDGET SINCE A PERIOD PIECES REQUIRES AUTHENTIC COSTUMES AND SET DRESSING.”
- Who is the main character and how did they do their part?
“ELIZABETH MCGRATH WAS THE MAIN CHARACTER. THE ACTRESS KAYLA BARTHOLOMEW GREW LEAPS AND BOUNDS AS AN ACTOR, THIS WAS HER 1ST SHOW. SHE REALLY MADE AN EXTRA EFFORT TO MAKE SURE THE SHOW WAS SUCCESSFUL.”
