Hope Andrejack gives a masterful performance playing multiple roles

Theatre SilCo’s production of The Amish Project by Jessica Dickey is a remarkable achievement, with Hope Andrejack’s masterful performance at its core. The play is based on an October, 2006 shooting at a one-room Amish schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, Penn. The gunman killed five young girls and injured five others before taking his own life. The play delves into the aftermath of this horrific event, exploring themes of forgiveness, community and the human spirit’s resilience through the eyes of various characters affected by the tragedy.

The one-woman play, where Andrejack portrays seven different characters, is a powerful and poignant study of the shooting.

Distinction and depth

Andrejack’s ability to embody each character with such distinction and depth is extraordinary. Her handling of the various roles and the seamless transitions between each distinct persona not only demonstrates her remarkable range as an actor but also her profound understanding of the nuanced emotions and complexities within the script. Each character, from the innocent young student to the anguished mother, is brought to life with authenticity and emotional truth.

Scenic Designer Kayden Renard’s striking, minimalistic set design works well for the story. A prominent feature is the blackboard, used creatively by Andrejack when she portrays the youngest character, one of the students. The character opens her story by drawing stick figures of each member of her family. As she adds small details to each figure – a hat for her father – the audience gains insight into the familial bonds that shape her world. The blackboard becomes a poignant symbol of innocence and tragedy.

Kaden Reynard’s set design incorporated a large blackboard upstage. | Photo: Theatre SilCo

Also of note is Avery Reagan’s lighting design. Each character transition is marked by subtle yet effective changes in illumination. These lighting cues help delineate the characters while immersing the audience fully into each scene, creating a dynamic visual experience.

Smoke machines complement the lighting, while sparing use of sound effects heighten the awareness of each one, drawing attention to their significance. Despite the limited number of props, Andrejack’s use of items such as a cigarette, bubble gum and a new pair of shoes adds another layer of relatability to each character.

One particularly memorable character is a teenage Puerto Rican girl, whose vibrant personality brings a refreshing contrast to the somber themes of the play. Andrejack’s expressive portrayal of this character brings some much-needed levity to the production, especially when she keeps sticking her chewing gum to the pole.

The climax of The Amish Project is heart-wrenching and profoundly moving. The emotional depth with which Andrejack delivers the final scenes leaves the audience in awe, deeply affected by the story’s conclusion.

The Amish Project is a must-see. Andrejack carries the entire production on her shoulders, bringing each character to life with such clarity and emotion. Though it may be a mostly forgotten school shooting in a long line of such in America, it works by drilling down to the unique human aspects of how an event like this truly impacts the lives of those involved.