Wheaton Words took place this past weekend in a series of three emotional and thought-provoking nights. Students took to the intimate space of the chapel to perform their own work as well as pieces written by others.
Directed by Audrey Dubois ’17 and Caleigh Grogan ’18, the shows took place on March 2 to 4. This year marked the fifth consecutive year of Wheaton Words and Dubois has been involved since her freshman year on campus.
Performers included Cameron Adelman ’19, Phyllis Williamson ’17, Rachel Guerriero ’20, Jennifer Fialli ’17, Sam Hickson ’17, Sophia Darby ’17, Maggie Darin ’19, Saba Mundlay ’17, Holly Salois ’19, Sarah Creese ’16, Brendan Geiger ’18, Ebony Kennedy ’19, Tom Fenu ’19, Caroline Dyhrberg ’19 and Dubois.
For those who do not know, Wheaton Words was conceived out of a student desire to put on a show tailored to the Wheaton community. The show consists of student written pieces about almost anything and marks the coming together of the written word and the spoken word to create a unique form of theatre.
From a meditation on mental illness titled “Sick/Human” written and performed by Williamson to the humorous Dubois’ “Maybe I Shouldn’t Have Become a Philosophy Major,” each piece embodied a specific theme and perspective from which to view it.
Other standout performances included “Transpoemed” written by Michael Kristy ’18. This written work was performed by Maggie Darin, who acted like a poem attempting to escape the boundaries of traditional poetry. The show also had a stunning opening performance titled “Chronic Badass”, written and performed by Adelman, which served as a reflection on living with chronic illness and the resolve to not let it win.
It is impossible, however, to point at one piece and claim its supremacy over another; each was praise-worthy in its own way.
The show was filled with laughter and tears, leaving audience members exposed to new, yet more often than not, familiar feelings. In the telling of unique tales, the audience was pushed to realize that behind the faces of those they encounter on campus everyday, there are unique stories and experiences to be shared and learned from.
Wheaton Words emphasizes the importance of these experiences. On a campus as small as Wheaton, it is easy to remain passive and defensive in an attempt to retain some anonymity; however, it is important to have meaningful conversations with the people you see and interact with on an everyday basis.
After five years, Wheaton Words has become a tradition that students look forward to each year. The show is distinct in its blunt honesty and raw, unfiltered sentiment.
The show and the concept behind it encapsulate the Wheaton community at its best. Wheaton Words strives to facilitate the sharing of student ideas, stories, thoughts and feelings, that contribute to campus culture.