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Carole Mikita ReportingAll of us find sometimes that our fears can be difficult to conquer. That's the theme of a new production at the University of Utah. It's based on real events.
College friends sharing their private dreams, but as this play progresses one of them is suddenly gone. The play is loosely based on a real murder. A U of U theatre major was killed six years ago in her off-campus apartment. Rachel Hsieh wrote 'Locking Doors' in honor of her friend, but also to examine her own feelings. The loss haunted her long after the funeral and public grieving.
Rachel Hsieh, Playwright 'Locking Doors': "I was a little more frightened in my neighborhood than I had been before. And there was a while when I would be home and I would find myself checking the door to make sure it was locked, over and over and over again."
The play not only addresses individual loss but the struggle an entire community can have.
Chad Armitstead, Director 'Locking Doors': "There's the Hacking case and there's the Elizabeth Smart case and all of that, but you can take a step back and look at the mirror of life and move ahead. And I think that's key to a community's healing."
This company of players hopes it gives audience members not just food for thought but a meaningful look into the human experience.
Josephine Wilson, Founder, Wordsmith Productions: "I hope that they come away with the feeling that they're not alone in that fear and they'll want to move forward."
Which is, they say, what they have had to do.
'Locking Doors' runs from the 11th through the 15th in the Performing Arts Building at the U of U. Performances are 7:30 with a matinee at 4:00 on Sunday. A percentage of proceeds will go to the Women's Resource Center on campus.
