“Firebringer,” directed by sophomore Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre student Elle Lily, follows a group of early humans who discover fire and face the challenges that come with the powerful new force.
Eckerd College’s Theatre Department is back on stage with its first production after its fall season was impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Firebringer, directed by sophomore Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre student Elle Lily, ran March 6–9, marking a major return for the Theatre Program.
In the final showcase, a lead actor fell ill, and Elle displayed her versatility by stepping into the role—rehearsing only one day to learn the lines and ensure the production could go on as planned.
Set in prehistoric times, Firebringer follows a group of early humans who discover fire and face the challenges that come with the powerful new force.
Professor of Theatre Gavin Hawk, Eckerd’s theatre discipline coordinator, expressed his gratitude for the resilience of the team behind the production. “I appreciate their hard work and persistence,” he says, “as well as their attitude that the show must go on.”
Hawk credits Technical Theatre Coordinator Richard Tetrault, the students and Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre Kyle Ransbottom for the success of the production, commending their dedication and resourcefulness. Tetrault had sourced dimmer replacements after the hurricanes, a crucial element for the theatre’s lighting systems.
Theatre staff and faculty also worked with insurance providers to catalog losses from the storms and repair affected areas. The Bininger Center for Performing Arts has since upgraded its costume storage and incorporated weather-sealing to prepare for future natural disasters.
“There are always creative workarounds, which is nice about theatre,” Hawk says.
In addition to their recovery efforts, the Firebringer cast and crew created new costumes for the production, and the remaining damage was primarily to Bininger’s carpet. Firebringer rehearsals had initially started before Hurricane Helene struck and resumed at the beginning of spring semester. Now, following the successful production, the Theatre Program is casting for its production of Little Women.
On behalf of the Theatre Department, Hawk expresses appreciation for the support of President Jim Annarelli, Ph.D.; Dean of Faculty Christine Wooley, Ph.D.; the Business Office; Facilities; and everyone who came together to get them back on their feet. “I’m incredibly grateful,” Hawk says, “that people stepped up right away.”
“These classes gave me a good starting point of knowledge and skills, which helped me to go out and get field-based work experience during my summers and have set me up to go into a stem-based graduate program in the future,” she says.
