"Quiet in the Land": Fall production preview
Bethel and Newton community members alike to stage a play on Amish pacifism during WWI.
Bethel’s history as an elite performing arts institution is set to continue with a feature play debuting this fall. With only a month and a half to prepare, the cast and crew of “Quiet in the Land” have a significant task in front of them.
That being said, the themes that envelop this play set the stage for a cast, crew, and community who are uniquely invested in the subject material.
“Quiet in the Land”, published by Anne Chislett in 1983, depicts the religious and moral crisis of a young Amish man named Jake. Despite his pacifist upbringing, he decides to enlist in the military during World War I. The fallout of Jake’s divergence from basic Amish (and broader Anabaptist) beliefs reveals the complexities and inconsistencies of such a stringent faith.
The prevalent theme of faith-based reevaluation throughout “Quiet in the Land” gives Bethel students a unique way to identify with the production. A central aspect of the introduction to adulthood throughout college is a journey of self-discovery. College students find themselves in a transitional phase in their lives when they are allowed to challenge their belief systems.
It is then unsurprising that two-thirds of young adults who identify as religious stop attending church for at least a year when they leave home, according to a 2019 survey by The Tennessean.
This material also uniquely suits both Bethel and the broader Newton community because the religion in question is the Mennonite faith (although a subgroup), with an emphasis on pacifism.
Karen Robu, assistant professor of Communication Arts and Director of Theater at Bethel, as well as the director for the fall play, stated that “[she] is excited about the possibility of working with a combination of Bethel students and Newton community members…it could raise awareness about the college and bring more audience members in to see the performances.”
The production debuts Friday, Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m., and includes matinee showings on Saturday and Sunday. Robu also stated that there will be sign language interpreters at the Friday evening performance.
There are high expectations of Bethel theater, but with the compelling, relatable themes of “Quiet in the Land” and the integration of the wider community, this company has a special opportunity to connect with an increasingly diverse audience. Tickets may be purchased on Bethel’s website under the Fine Arts page.