Westminster’s fall play Everyman is rapidly approaching, and excitement has been growing within the Westminster community. Between the small cast, short length, and deep message of the production, Everyman is a play unlike any Westminster has ever produced. 

Quentin Cockeram, Westminster’s Theater Technician Director and the director of Westminster’s production of Everyman commented on the play’s capacity to be thoroughly developed in a short period of time:

“Everyman fit because it could be done with a smaller cast. It could be cast before the end of school, which it was last year, which would give the kids an opportunity to learn their lines over the summer.”

Unlike various other productions Westminster has put on in the past, Everyman only has one act. The short length of the play along with the theater department’s decision to cast the play at the end of last school year has allowed them to organize and coordinate the program quickly, which means it can be performed early on in the school year. 

However, the theater department’s decision to make Everyman this year’s school play was based on more than just its length. When questioned on the play’s plot, Cockerham revealed that the play actually has deeper philosophical implications than one would expect:

”It’s a medieval morality play. It goes through the morals of mankind, because the character, Everyman, represents all of mankind. Throughout the story, they encounter various spiritual manifestations of either real people or death, who tries to take them to the grave.”

Everyman explores various questions and scenarios that the average person encounters in their day to day life that all point to the central question of the play: What really matters in life? While it may be a rather morbid subject, it is important to consider on a day to day basis what you are seeking in your life and what will really matter at the end of it. 

Josie Moseley, a junior playing Everyman in the upcoming production, truly summed up the core message of the production:

“I think it teaches us that you never really know when your time is gonna come, and ultimately worldly things are never going to satisfy you. […] So it’s more important to know who you are as far as your relationship with God instead of focusing on your worldly desires.” 

If you enjoy attending plays that are not only entertaining but also offer lessons about the true meaning of life, then be sure to buy tickets to see Everyman either for Sept. 12-14 or Sept. 19-21, because it is sure to be a production to remember!