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Dana Garcia

As Weetsie and Sybil engage in an argument, Kate and Tood watch intently from the living room as the drama unfolds. "Weetsie helps the characters around her highlight the distinct personalities of the three girls," senior casted as Weetsie, Reese Jones said. "She brings humor to the play to contrast the sad parts so that they hit closer to home." Weetsie's character brings the show to a whole new level.

Rock Hill Theatre presented its production of The Cover of Life on March 5th at 6:30 p.m. This play is their University Interscholastic League (UIL) One Act Contest submission that made its public debut in the Rock Hill Auditorium. The tickets started at $5 and the audience had a choice to purchase them at the entrance doors or via RHTB.club. 

The Cover of Life is a dramatic comedy that first premiered off-Broadway at the American Place Theatre in 1994. First starring three brides, Tood, Weetsie, and Sybil, who lived in Sterlington, Louisiana during the 1940’s. All three women married a brother from the Cliffert family that made the newspaper headlines for the cover of Life magazine. 

“Preparing for The Cover of Life took a very long time; auditions were held right after Winter Break and we spent numerous rehearsals sitting around a table dissecting the script,” senior Reese Jones said. “It’s easy to just say lines and recite blocking, but actually living as the characters would is a different beast.”

Numerous students involved in the performance found it to be both educational and enjoyable. Being able to participate in a UIL One Act Contest is a remarkable opportunity that should be appreciated and not overlooked. 

“From playing this character I learned to always follow my heart, and to chase my own dreams because no matter what they are always possible,” senior Katie Mata said. “I also learned the importance of family and friends and how those relationships can help move you forward.”

The high school version of the play evokes a variety of emotions from its audience, creating a compelling and dynamic experience. It enables the viewer to share in the love and suffering that the girls endure and connect with the members of the family.

“A take away the audience can get from this show is to live your life for you and not for anyone else and to talk about the things you deem as important,” junior Mackenzie Flowers said. “There’s also a big undertone of feminism and how women deserve just as much of a place in this world as men. The messages of this show are powerful and watching the different characters learn these messages is beautiful, but also at times soul crushing.”

The cast list is recorded below: 

Aunt Ola- Mackenzie Flowers

Sybil- Audra Rogers

Tood- Katie Mata

Weetsie- Reese Jones

Tommy- Lyric Patino

Kate- Hrishita Bhattacharya

Addie Mae- Rachel Wilson