Wednesday, November 29,2006
Page 2
CAMPUS VOICE
It was a masterpiece that drew attention from across the Eastern Seaboard.
The New York Times called it one of the three things to see while in North
Carolina, and its artistry not only drew crowds, it helped change lives.
“The Shepherd’s Song,” written by North Carolina native Clifton Britton,
was a different kind of Christmas story, focusing on the lives of the adults in
the story.
Britton’s masterpiece was revised at least six times over the 14 years it was
performed. The actors in this production were not quickly rising Broadway
super-stars, or even hardened theater veterans.
They were students.
These “Goldmasquers,” who News-Argus Sports Editor Jack Lee said
“brought Broadway to Goldsboro,” awed our town with professional-grade
productions, were invited to put on a performance in New York City, and
eamed top honors at Chapel Hill.
“The Shepherd’s Song” quickly gained fame as the town’s first “legiti
mate” drive in. For many years, it was performed on top of the Terrace Room
between the old hotel and shoe store on Center Street. The students would set
up their sets and lighting and perform right there while the audience members
watched from the street.
Soon it was decided that the audience and students would be much happier
in the auditorium of Goldsboro High School. The warm and comfortable seats
combined with better lighting opportunities led to this decision.
“The Shepherd’s Song” ran for 14 years before Mr. Britton became ill and
production ended. After that, it seemed this was a story that would only be told
over cookies and milk to eager young children on Christmas Eve.
It wasn’t until several years later that Phil Baddour, a former little Shepherd
Boy, discovered his old script. Jack Kannan, executive director of the Founda
tion of Wayne Community College, wanted it. Soon, other scripts turned up
and “The Shepherd’s Song” was on its way to being restored. Bert Allen took
all of the revisions and collaborated them into what he felt was the best com
pilation, says Margaret Baddour, a WCC instructor and one of the actresses in
the production.
The new version lasts a trimmed 45 minutes, compared to the earlier hour
and a half to two hours.
It was decided that the revival of the show would be a tribute to Mr. Britton
in honor of his work and contributions to the community.
Many of his actors were young people in need of direction, Ms. Baddour
says. Mr. Britton brought them in off the streets, and worked tirelessly offstage
and behind the scenes to better them through the arts. For example, when the
Goldmasquers were invited to an out-of-town theater conference, he made
sure they were all dressed properly, even buying some of his young actors
proper clothing.
Mr. Britton had a vision; to unite these young people despite their varied
interests.
Uniting people within our community is one of the reasons that Mr. Kannan
was so excited to do the project. He wanted to bring people to our campus to
see what we are all about and to develop relationships, he said.
The new cast, a combination of newcomers and veterans from WCC, local
high schools and the community, include Humanities instructor Margaret Bad
dour as Anna; WCC graduate Tessa Brannon as Rachel; WCC students Parker
Harris, as a messenger and a shepherd; Shawn Moody as Ezra, Nathan and
a soldier, Reynold Meraz as Abner and a shepherd, and Julian Shelton as Jo
seph; Eastern Wayne student Hallie Hulse as Sarah; Spring Creek High School
student Jeremy Sanders- as Stephen, Wayne Country Day student Cassie
Broach as Mary, Charles B. Aycock High School student Michael Atkins as
Reuban, local lawyers Phil Baddour Jr. as the Rabbi and Geofif Hulse as Joel.
It is expected that this production will be the most successftil of the Founda
tion’s ventures, some of which have attracted hundreds of people.
Perhaps that should be no surprise. After all, it’s not often that you get the
chance to remember a man who made such an impression on his community
that people work to see that neither he, nor his legacy, are forgotten.
Top left, Jeremy Sanders and Parker Harris at rehearsal; top right: an earlier
performance of “The Shepherd’s Song”; bottom: the view from the street of
the original performances.
■ll|l
a
m. m
WBm
HEB