This week, from Monday the 14th to Saturday the 19th, the Timpview theatre department will be performing The Woodsman. Timpview is the first high school to ever do this, and on Monday night, I had the opportunity to attend the opening show.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when coming to see this show, knowing only that it was a movement-based play with a violinist playing on stage. There was great skepticism, too, on whether or not this was an appropriate show to undertake on the high school level. This story, while unfamiliar to many, carries themes of love, loss, and transformation that resonate with audiences of all ages. After the first few minutes of sitting in the audience, it became clear that The Woodsman was unlike any production Timpview has done before– haunting, heartfelt, and rich with layered storytelling through sound, movement, and design.
The Woodsman, written by James Ortiz and Edward W. Hardy, tells the origin story of Nick Chopper, better known as the Tin Man from L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The production is almost entirely silent, relying instead on live violin music, puppetry, and physical movements to communicate its story. Despite the lack of dialogue, with the exception of a five minute monologue in the beginning to set the stage, the story was communicated with beautiful clarity and emotional depth. The synchronization of the performer’s breath, as well as the creative use of silence, quickly drew the audience in, demanding close attention to every movement and gesture.
The emotional connection between Nick Chopper, played by senior Cannon Hadfield, and Nimmee, played by senior Abbie Drake, was tender and moving, and communicated entirely through nuanced movement with expression that made their bond feel both intimate and heartbreaking. Every single actor on stage was incredibly dedicated to their performance, creating an incredibly immersive and vulnerable environment for the viewer. The choreography was beautiful and intentional, with each movement carrying great significance to the story.
The creative liberties that were taken with regards to the set, costuming, and puppetry were well thought out and brilliantly executed. One of the most impactful elements of the production was its use of light. Rather than using traditional stage lighting alone, the actors used handheld flashlights in many aspects of storytelling. These lights were used to draw attention to the witch when needed, or to be used as sunlight, and made those aspects seem more immersive because of this. The costume design further continued the storytelling. The use of the color blue is in all members of the cast, minus the witch, was impactful in showing the unity that took place among them.
The element that I was most impressed with was the puppetry, created by art student Hannah White. When finding out they were doing The Woodsman as their show, White jumped at the opportunity to be involved. “I approached Mrs. Napeirski said ‘hey I love puppetry and I would love to work on this show,’” White stated. These puppets that she created include a Wicked Witch of the East, operated by senior Brooklyn Chennault and freshman Lucy Kocherhans. The other highlighted puppet was the creation of the Tin Man. This prop had fully detachable and articulated arms, legs, and head, making the impact of the story that much more real. The beautiful use of these puppets made the experience more immersive and impressive, and greatly contributed to the overall emotion. White had been working on these puppets “every single day for hours for six months, and it’s been a blast.” Her efforts greatly payed off and added a stunning creative element to this production.
The music, performed live onstage by Zach Karpowitz on the violin, was integral to the production. Karpowitz’s playing was exceptional, and matched the tone of the stage very well. The music underscored the entire performance, heightening emotional moments and helping keep the direction of each scene. His playing was expressive and seamless, and kept up the intrigue of the show.
Timpview’s production of The Woodsman was a deeply moving and visually inventive piece of theatre. It surpassed every expectation I had set for it in my mind, and I hope for the chance to go again. This production is a testament to the creativity, focus, and collaboration of the entire cast and crew. To anyone who has the opportunity to see this show, I would encourage you to go and open your mind to what these cast members offer. This show is a phenomenal representation of the abilities of the Timpview theatre department, so don’t miss your opportunity to come and see this amazing production.
Photos by Micah Young @micah_shot_that
