Cape May, NJ | East Lynne Theater Company
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      • AUNT HATTIE'S HOUSE
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BRINGING HISTORY TO LIFE:  A Year in the Trenches

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The 2017 cast: Jennie Bissell, Ryan Genualdi, Tara Reuter, Matt Baxter Luceno, Mike Ryan, and Osborn Focht
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A YEAR IN THE TRENCHES​
World Premiere in Cape May in the fall of 2017     
The Production Returned in the spring of 2018
The 70-Minute Staged-Reading Version was on the Road


The creation of this script received partial funding from The NJ State Council on the Arts, and the NJ Historical Commission. Written by James Rana and Directed by Gayle Stahlhuth, who was also Dramaturg, it was based on Charles Edward Dilkes’ book Remembering World War I: An Engineer’s Diary of the War, and other historical sources.

Meet Charles Edward Dilkes (1887-1968), poet Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918), nurse Amabel Roberts (1891-1918), “Hello Girl” Grace Banker (1892-1960) and other Americans who served during World War I, 100 years ago.   A cast of 6 play a variety of roles, and live music from the period is performed throughout. 


​A YEAR IN THE TRENCHES is highlighted on NJTV's STATE OF THE ARTS   
First aired on NJTV on Sunday, September 16, 2017, you can see it now ​by Clicking Here

To read an interview with artistic director, Gayle Stahlhuth, in New Jersey Stage Magazine, click here.



THE STAGED-READING VERSION TOURED IN 2017 TO: 
* The Bickford Theatre in Morristown, NJ, sponsored by the NJ Theatre Alliance’s “Stages Festival” on March 21
* The Ocean County Public Library in Toms River, NJ, sponsored by the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission, on April 28
* McGuire Air Force Base/Fort Dix on July 18, to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of its founding
* Ocean County College Theater on October 17: Two performances for over 900 students grades 4 through 8. The students were completely engaged throughout and had excellent questions to ask the performers after the show.  (Below see photo of the performance and letters)
* The New Jersey State Museum in Trenton on October 21


“The World War I Centennial offers us an opportunity to reexamine a period of history that seems absolutely relevant to today. Questions regarding how the U.S. should engage with the rest of the world, the role of women in society, the treatment of immigrants, the nature of modern warfare, and the meaning of patriotism challenged citizens of 1917, just as they bedevil us now. A Year in the Trenches shines a spotlight on how some New Jerseyans confronted these issues and brings us greater understanding of both the past and present. The Historical Commission is delighted to join with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts in exploring this pivotal period of our history through this engaging new play.” 
- Sara R. Cureton, Executive Director, New Jersey Historical Commission
​
“We are proud to co-commission this new play with the New Jersey Historical Commission. Bringing the struggles of the past to life on stage is one of the countless ways that art can bring empathy and understanding to the challenges of the present. And by doing so, it paves the way to a better future.” -  Nick Paleologos, Executive Director, New Jersey State Council on the Arts

"I am honored that East Lynne Theater Company was asked by John McEwen, Executive Director of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, Sara R. Cureton, Executive Director of the New Jersey Historical Commission, and Nick Paleologos, Executive Director of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts to spearhead the creation of this script. It has been a pleasure working once more with playwright James Rana, making this our fifth collaboration as playwright and dramaturg. Thank you to Eric Hafen for directing the readings before the premiere in Cape May, and to his cast: Laura Chaneski, Ryan Genualdi, Matt Baxter Luceno, Mike Newman, and Duncan M. Rogers. Also a thank you to Rich Chiemingo for some musical arrangements! - Gayle Stahlhuth, Artistic Director of East Lynne Theater Company
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After our two performances of the staged-reading version at Ocean County College, ELTC received this letter via e-mail on October 20, 2017 . . .
 

A YEAR IN THE TRENCHES

         On behalf of the students who attended the play A Year in the Trenches at the Jay and Linda Grunin Center we would like to say thank you. All of the students who attended were selected by their Social Studies teachers for exceptional disposition or academic success. Every student was impressed, engaged and delighted to be able to experience not only the play, but simply a trip to a college campus as well as a professionally run theatre. The impact is immeasurable, the experience was endearing to the minds of these kids who simply do not receive these experiences that help shape them into intelligent well rounded cultured students.
       As a teacher of Social Studies for 16 years I cannot speak enough about the delivery of content through conversation, dialogue and action that was spot on flawless. I am already devising a plan to mimic the plays format by having students research and write dialouge about a certain time period in History. The interaction of all the characters and their experiences is what I hope to be able to have the students replicate and perform.  Here at Lakewood we have a plethora of talented students who have hidden talents with limited exposure. This experience and hopefully more gives these kids hope, opportunity and a place to fuse their dreams with something concrete. We cannot thank you enough for including us in this experience. Below are a few typed thoughts from two of our students.

Yours truly,
                   Mr. Darren Lee
                   LMS Social Studies Coordinator
                   dlee@lakewoodpiners.org
 
And what the students wrote about A YEAR IN THE TRENCHES . . . . .
​

Destiny Vasquez wrote . . .
The trip was about a play set during the 19th century. The actors were 4 soldiers, a lady in the telephone service and a nurse to help out the injured that were in the front lines. The nurse’s brother Adrian did not want her going to the front lines, because anything could happen to her. They sent letters to each other to make sure they were ok. The girls sang songs that were popular back then and meant something. In the end the actors explained everything they did and we got to ask them questions about what they were doing.
 
Anahi Alejo wrote . .
“Remembering World War I”
It was pretty interesting getting to know the life of various people from that era. Although it was a bit confusing at times, because the actors were all changing from one character to another, it still was great. My favorite story was the one about the lady who worked for the AT&T phone company, answering calls on the switchboard.  Another story I enjoyed is the tale of the nurse who wanted to help the soldiers, but her brother didn’t want her to go, because she had to go to France!  In the end she winds up going and she sends letters to her brother. I honestly really enjoyed the trip.
East Lynne Theater Company
A non-profit 501(c)(3) organization

Mail: P.O. Box 121
Cape May, NJ 08204
Performance Venue:
Cape May Presbyterian Church
500 Hughes St. Cape May, NJ
Phone: 609-884-5898 
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ELTC employs members of Actors' Equity Association, the union for professional actors.

E-mail: eastlynneco@aol.com

ELTC's programs are made possible in part through funding from The NJ State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of The National Endowment for the Arts, The NJ Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism, the generosity of our Season Partners, and the generosity of many patrons. 
Thank you to our Season Partners Curran Wealth Management, Aleathea's Restaurant at the Inn of Cape May, 
The Henry Sawyer Inn, The Washington Inn,
​La Mer Beachfront Inn. and Fins Bar & Grille
Thank you to our Junior Partner OceanFirst Foundation


ELTC is a proud member of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, the South Jersey Cultural Alliance and ArtPride, 3 Chambers of Commerce, and www.njsouthernshore.com
  • Home
    • About Us
    • Location and Virtual Tour
    • Staff and Board Members
    • Getting Involved
    • Policies and Procedures >
      • ADA Information
      • Non-Discrimination Policy
      • Sexual Harassment Policy
      • Whistleblower Protection
      • Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ)
  • MAINSTAGE SEASON
    • TALES OF THE VICTORIANS - Live and Virtual
    • 2021 VIRTUAL PERFORMANCES >
      • IDA B. WELLS: Her Speech for the NAACP in 1909 >
        • IDA B. WELLS review in Exit Zero
      • GET HAPPY! - A Cabaret Saluting Judy Garland
      • ENEMIES
      • SOMETHING TO VOTE FOR
      • NOTHING MATTERS >
        • NOTHING MATTERS review in Exit Zero
        • NOTHING MATTERS review in capemay.com blog
        • NOTHING MATTERS mentioned in "The New York Times"
        • "NJ Stage" article about NOTHING MATTERS
      • AUNT HATTIE'S HOUSE
      • THE GUARDSMAN AND THE ACTRESS
    • DOROTHY PARKER: A CERTAIN WOMAN
    • A HUNDRED THOUSAND DAYS OF LIGHT
  • Tickets
    • Dinner/Accomodation Packages & Savings
    • Season Tickets and Gift Certificates
  • Other Events
    • Tales of the Victorians >
      • 2020 TALES IN THE BACKYARD SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCES
    • Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Rides
    • Friday Silent Films
    • Murder Mystery Weekends
    • Touring Productions
  • Education
    • Letter to Support "Bring the kids!"
    • Bringing History to Life with A YEAR IN THE TRENCHES
    • School Residencies
    • Student Summer Workshop
    • Productions
    • Teaching Artists
  • Past Productions
    • Recent Reviews & Articles
    • Productions 2015 -2020
    • Season Posters
    • American Classics
    • Premieres and New Works
    • A Few of the Actors, Directors, Designers and Playwrights
    • YouTube Photos 1996-2016
  • News
    • COVID-19 UPDATE FOR ELTC
    • NJ Honors East Lynne Theater Company
    • A New Home After the Fire Aug. 2019
    • ELTC's Tech Director Receives Quilt of Valor
    • The Artistic Director's Past