Ten reasons students should attend ‘The Hand That Holds the Quill’
By Olivia Gregory
Knightly News Reporter
olivia.gregory@mymail.centralpenn.edu
I’m always looking for events that could give students an opportunity to get out of the house and socialize.
Since the start of COVID-19 and the effects that came with it, there haven’t been many in-person events for students to attend.
The play “The Hand That Holds the Quill,” which opens tonight at 7:30 in the Capital BlueCross Theatre – yes, tonight, Thursday, Sept. 16 – presents students with a chance to enjoy some quality entertainment with one another.
If getting out of the house and attending live theater – and seeing classmates and other friends – aren’t enough to motivate you, then here are my top 10 reasons students should come out for “The Hand That Holds the Quill”:
10. Learn about a historical event from the voices usually not heard in history books.
9. The crew is made up of students from Central Penn. This is a great opportunity to show support for your peers.
8. Twenty-three actors are in the cast – one is our Adrienne Thoman, dean of student engagement.
7. This is an original, never-before-seen play with music created by two local women, Cindy Rock Dlugolecki, who is the playwright, and Chris Purcell, the composer.
6. It’s a true story about history behind the creation of the U.S. Constitution.
5. It will bring to light and educate you about how free African Americans were advocating for the end of slavery in the 1780s.
4. Following each performance, you can discuss the U.S. Constitution with constitutional scholar and attorney, Central Penn Legal Studies Professor Margie Stuski.
3. Playwright Dlugolecki is a cousin, six times removed, of Jacob Shallus, the man who held the quill and wrote out the Constitution!
2. Composer Chris Purcell created music of varied genres that will help bring the story of Shallus to life and entertain the audience.
1. A free dress rehearsal was held yesterday for students, but if you missed that, the other show times will cost students and alums only $5.
Make plans now with friends and family to attend “The Hand That Holds the Quill,” on today, or tomorrow and Sunday.
Oh, and here’s an option you may be interested in: The Sunday Matinee teas, treats and delicacies are provided by the owners and operators of Manchester Teas and Tarts, of Elizabethtown – Melissa Donley and Michelle Harris.
It’s a must-see performance, so don’t miss out! Grab tickets at https://givebutter.com/Quill.
Have a comment or a story idea? Contact KnightlyEditors@CentralPenn.Edu.
Edited by media-club co-adviser and blog editor Professor Michael Lear-Olimpi.
