Parkland theater students will perform “Our Town” Jan. 29 and 30 at the high school.

Set in the New England town of Grover’s Corners, the play tells the story of life in a small town between 1901-13 through its residents and the relationshipship between George Gibbs and Emily Webb.

This three-act play, first produced and published in 1938, is based on the American classic of the same name written by playwright Thornton Wilder.

Tyler Haney who portrays George Gibbs and Hannah Hakim who plays the stage manager commented on their roles.

“I play George Gibbs, who is the love interest to Emily Webb,” Haney said. “George loves to play baseball and he would consider himself to be one of the best in Grover’s Corners.”

Haney said Gibbs is a passionate person who has faults like everyone else.

“My character is a realistic adaptation of a teenage boy making his way through life,” Haney said.

Haney said he loves the learning process under the direction of Mark Stutz.

“I also love the deeper meaning of the show, which was brought to light by him [Stutz],” Haney stated. “It is going to be an awesome production.”

Hakim said the Stage Manager is a complex character.

“The Stage Manager serves as the narrator on the stage,” Hakim stated. “She sets up the stage and the imagery the audience needs to understand the play as a whole.

“The Stage Manager has a personal connection to the themes of the show, but also is emotionally disconnected from the action going on onstage.”

Hakim enjoys the challenge of playing her character because she is used to playing specific personalities and character types.

“Since there is no specific personality tagged to the role, I was able to interpret and really make the character my own,” she said.

“‘Our Town’ is a different type of play,” Hakim stated. “‘Our Town’ teaches you to really live in the moment and appreciate everything you have.”

Emily Lundeen, who plays Mrs. Gibbs and Jade Rodriquez, who portrays Mrs. Webb, commented on their roles.

Lundeen said Mrs. Gibbs is a complex character but is kind and loves her two children very much.

“She is loving but also stern and her dream is to visit Paris,” Lundeen said. “Mrs. Gibbs is unlike any character I’ve ever played and this role has truly bettered me as an actor.”

“Our Town” is a very relatable and interesting play and evokes emotion in every audience member who sees it, Lundeen said.

Mrs. Webb is the mother of Emily Webb, portrayed by Megan Schmidt.

“She is a very normal mother and spends most of her time in the kitchen making sure that her family is cared for,” Rodriquez said. “I love the fact Mrs. Webb cares for her entire family.”

She said the greatest thing about being in this play is being able to do what she loves to do, act.

“‘Our Town’ is an amazing show and it teaches some really great lessons about life,” Rodriquez said.

Julia Sams as stage manager, lighting designer Becca Lazansky and sound designer Gavin “Bobbi” Snyder discussed their jobs with the show.

The stage manager communicates between the director and crew, gives cues backstage and makes sure everything runs smoothly, Sams explained.

“Being stage manager gives me the opportunity to oversee the elements of the show,” Sams said. “I also get to see a different side of production than I usually do with the crew.

“Working on the play has gotten me to understand the deeper meaning behind the play.”

The lighting designer creates all the lighting onstage for the show, Lazansky said.

“I like being the lighting designer because it’s like creating artwork,” she said. “You almost get to paint the stage with different colors and create unique and really pretty atmospheres.”

Snyder said the sound designer is in charge of the sound effects for the show.

“I set the frequency, pitching and adjusting of all microphones and creating the layout of the speakers in order to create the most effective sound,” Snyder said. “It requires a lot of problem solving and technical ability.

“It brings a certain aspect to the show which is subtle but necessary.”

He said he really enjoys being on the stage crew and the position of sound designer was particularly fascinating to him.

“Our Town” is being directed by High School Visual and Performing Arts Teacher Mark Stutz.

Stutz said he chose “Our Town” because it is a show he has wanted to do for years and he finally has the right crew to do it.

“The play follows the lives of two families in a small town in New Hampshire and focuses on the relationship between George and Emily,” Stutz said.

“Our Town” will be performed 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 29 and 30 in the auditorium at the high school, 2700 N. Cedar Crest Blvd., South Whitehall.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors.

For more information or to purchase tickets, go to parkland.org.

Tickets will also be available at the door.