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The Lafayette Theatre Academy kicked off its production of ‘The Giver’ Thursday at the LTC Black Box Theatre. Based on the award-winning novel by Lois Lowry, this performance will show again on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. 

The performance takes place in a futuristic community where Jonas lives is an idyllic, precisely choreographed world without conflict, inequality, divorce, unemployment, injustice or choice.

Directed by Amy McDow, this play follows Jonas and the Giver as they come up with a plan that will change their world forever. 

“Musicals and comedies sharpen particular skill sets, but The Giver allows us to push our students dramatically,” McDow said. “With The Giver, we basically had a literature class at rehearsal — dissecting the piece, the characters, hidden meanings and unspoken thoughts  —it was one of my favorite rehearsals so far. Approaching the script of a drama is an intensive process and teaches our students important acting nuances.”

LTA said they use graphics, projections and various other special effects to engage the audience with imaginative and entrancing scenes. As part of the production, audience members are invited to participate in trivia before the show begins. The winner of trivia will receive an area rug, courtesy of the show’s sponsor, Kemp’s Dalton West Flooring.

“Every time I play Larissa or Rosemary, I feel truly alive,” Cassie Ellison, a sophomore and LTA student and cast member, said in a press release. “They’re two very different people, but to me they’re growing part of me. Larissa is strong and confident, which is a challenge for me since I’m not all that confident, while Rosemary is quiet and conveys her feelings through her facial expressions, which pushes me on stage. Despite the challenges of the characters, I know I can play them because I believe in myself. Larissa is strong; therefore, I will be strong. Rosemary is a beautiful tragedy, therefore in that moment, I will be. Playing these characters has helped me grow as an actor and as a person, and I’m so blessed to be playing them.”

The LTC Black Box Theatre is located at 214 Bull Street in downtown LaGrange. The venue provides socially-distanced seating with a reduced capacity of 52 seats. All CDC safety guidelines are strictly followed, and masks are required for all guests, cast, crew and staff. The house opens one hour before each performance, allowing guests to enjoy outside food and/or beverages before the show. 

Light concessions and drinks (non-alcoholic) are also available for purchase. Tables, located in front of the stage, may be reserved for $75 and include seats for up to four guests. 

Individual tickets ($18 adults / $13 students) are assigned by the LSPA ticketing staff on a first-come, first-served basis. 

To accommodate social distancing requirements, individual seats are located along the theatre’s back riser and grouped together based on the number of tickets purchased in each transaction.

Schedule information and tickets are available online at www.LSPARTS.org, by emailing info@lsparts.org, or by calling (706) 882-9909.