Courtesy of Syreeta Combs-CannadayBy: Jessie Napkora, Assistant Features Editor
Do you remember the 2011 flood? Do we know what exactly happened? Now “Flood Stories, Too” gives the chance to get some insight, presented at the Alvina Krause Theatre on March 7 -17.
The production is a follow-up to a similar work done in 2006 titled, “Flood Stories.”
It aims to present the stories of people in the area who were affected by the flood. Those involved in the play conducted over 190 hours of interview with people who experienced the flood.
According to the writer and director, Gerard Stropnicky, the interview process was lengthy and formal. “There is an interview process and a process called ‘Story Circle’ that invites the sharing of story. Everyone is provided with an ‘Informed Consent’ and a release giving their permission,” he described.
Once the interview process began, that’s what really got the ball rolling.
“One interview leads to another. ‘You should talk to my neighbor.’ ‘So-and-so was really hit by that. Here’s her number.’ BTE did a workshop early version, and after those performances we invited the audience to stay for ‘Story Circle’. Some of the best stories came out of those events. One night about 50 people stayed to share their experiences,” said Stropnicky.
Developing “Flood Stories, Too” was a long process. According to Jim Goode, one of the actors, the interviewing started last spring, pre-production began in the winter, design prep began only a few months ago and rehearsals began in January.
Not only was the process a long one but the amount of people involved is monumental.
According to Stropnicky, groups that have a hand in this large production include the Bloomsburg Players, Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, the Bloomsburg Bicentennial Choir and the Press Enterprise who allowed the use of their photos in the production.
“Then there are the many folks who have shared their stories, and the team doing the interviews and transcribing. It is a big, wonderful adventure of a project,” said Stropnicky.
“Flood Stories, Too” touches on some heartfelt flood occurrences.
Stropnicky said one scene in particular that stand out. “County Commissioner Chris Young tells of visiting Orangeville with Congressman Barletta. While there, they meet a woman who no longer has a house. Everything that was her life is scattered all around, of just gone. While they talk to her, she finds a golf club. And she cleans that while they talk. It was all she had left,” he said
BU junior and theatre major Mary Reinsburrow, a cast member, describes one scene in which the pile of trash that was by the town park after the flood is recreated.
“The monologue is a memory about how many emotions everyone was feeling at one time and how even though it was an extremely sad time for many that sadness turned to humor when the realization that noting could be done set in,” said Reinsburrow.
Reinsburrow has a special connection to the roles she portrays and the overall message of the play because she was in the area when the flooding occurred, allowing her to experience some of her own flood stories.
Reinsburrow volunteered at the Epsy Fire Hall during the flood time where she encountered a woman who approached her, asking if she has seen her glasses which she thought she had lost at the fire hall hours before. “The glasses were hanging on the front of her shirt and when I told her that she broke down and hugged me,” said Reinsburrow.
Stephanie Shepard, cast member and BU assistant professor in the environmental, geographical, and geological sciences department, had a different experience preparing for her role.
Shepherd was living in Lancaster at the time of the flood, an area that was not as ravaged as Bloomsburg.
“When possible I learned a little more about the real person behind the monologues. I also listened to the stories of my fellow cast mates that experienced the flood and read articles from the local newspaper,” said Shepherd.
The production and flood take on a different meaning to Shepherd because her primary interest as an environmental science professor is how rivers respond to anthropogenic impacts.
“Flood Stories, Too” is an extremely informative piece that allows the audience and those involved to see the flood in a whole new light through the experiences of others.
“I did not think that this was such a big thing, and affected so many people until I get to participate in ‘Flood Stories, Too,’” said Odette Alezard, a BU theatre major and cast member.
“I guess I never really thought about it on the large scale, I knew it was really bad and how much devastation it caused, but it just never really sank in until I started working on the show,” said Reinsburrow.
Although the main purpose of “Flood Stories, Too” is to present the town’s experiences with the flood, it also serves the purpose of healing the community from the tragic event.
“I think it will be entertaining, but also a healing experience for the community,” said Shepherd.
“Our director said it best, this is a show that’s entire purpose is to help heal our community; it was written for that purpose,” said Reinsburrow.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at 10:02PM 