The Blakefield Players Open 2022–23 Season with The Diviners
The Blakefield Players opened their 2022–23 season with four performances of their fall production, The Diviners, between October 20–23. The Diviners is a powerful drama set in 1930s Indiana that tells the story of 14-year-old Buddy Layman (Henry Breit '23), whose life changed forever with the death of his mother, Jennie Mae Layman (Gracie Brehm, NDP '23), by drowning and his own near-death experience. This has given Buddy a powerful fear of water, even as a mysterious aquatic affinity gives him powers as a “water witch," with the ability to divine wells and predict the rain. He befriends C.C. Showers (Hunter Simms '25), a back-sliding preacher who has left the pulpit in Kentucky that he inherited from his forefathers to find an honest living for himself. When their worlds collide, it has devastating consequences.
"I am so proud of the cast and crew for this show," said Loyola Blakefield Director of Theatre Mr. Ric Chiapetta. "It is a very difficult play, and they all exceeded my expectations. I think it’s the best show we’ve put on during my tenure here at Loyola." The cast list also included Ben Langenbach '24 as Ferris Layman, Teddy Boettcher (NDP '23) as Norma Henshaw, Arianna Harris (Carver '25) as Darlene Henshaw, Alicia Dean (NDP '24) as Goldie Short, Ben Bromwell '23 as Basil Bennett, Natalie Heer (Carver '25) as Luella Bennett, Colt Simpson '24 as Melvin Wilder, and Liam Olaru '28 as Dewey Maples.
Also, a special thanks to the stage crew for putting together an amazing production behind the scenes. The stage crew included Noah Morraye ‘23 (Stage Manager), Benham Celaya ‘23 (Technical Supervisor), Nicholas Miller ’26 (Sound Board Operator), Tucker DeVack ’27 (Light Board Operator), Christopher Duncan ’27 (Light Board Operator), Mike Hyle ’24 (Props), Rocco LaCanfora ’24 (Props), and Liam Bartness ’24 (Back Stage Assistance).
View photo highlights from the production below.
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"I am so proud of the cast and crew for this show," said Loyola Blakefield Director of Theatre Mr. Ric Chiapetta. "It is a very difficult play, and they all exceeded my expectations. I think it’s the best show we’ve put on during my tenure here at Loyola." The cast list also included Ben Langenbach '24 as Ferris Layman, Teddy Boettcher (NDP '23) as Norma Henshaw, Arianna Harris (Carver '25) as Darlene Henshaw, Alicia Dean (NDP '24) as Goldie Short, Ben Bromwell '23 as Basil Bennett, Natalie Heer (Carver '25) as Luella Bennett, Colt Simpson '24 as Melvin Wilder, and Liam Olaru '28 as Dewey Maples.
Also, a special thanks to the stage crew for putting together an amazing production behind the scenes. The stage crew included Noah Morraye ‘23 (Stage Manager), Benham Celaya ‘23 (Technical Supervisor), Nicholas Miller ’26 (Sound Board Operator), Tucker DeVack ’27 (Light Board Operator), Christopher Duncan ’27 (Light Board Operator), Mike Hyle ’24 (Props), Rocco LaCanfora ’24 (Props), and Liam Bartness ’24 (Back Stage Assistance).
View photo highlights from the production below.
