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Oliver Twist

From the Novel by Charles Dickens
Copyright 1979, Pioneer Drama Service, Inc. 

"Produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., Denver, Colorado"

Adapted by Joellen Bland 

For those who loved the classic Charles Dickens story, enjoy again all of the fascinating characters from this exciting story:  the Artful Dodger, Fagin, the menacing Bill Sikes and the kind-hearted Nancy. Travel with Oliver as he becomes involved in a plot containing mystery, robbery and revenge; until Oliver’s true identity is discovered and he finds a home and happiness with his benefactor, Mr. Brownlow. 

Dear Academy Family, 

On the first day of auditions, August 27, 2019, if you would have told me that our show would not go up onstage, but instead through a podcast due to a mass pandemic, I would have laughed in your face in disbelief. Yet, here we are, ten months later. Before I offer you a bit of light amidst darkness and chaos, I invite you to walk with me as I reflect upon this journey. 

Never have I seen a group of young students come together with such fervor, albeit over Zoom, and make the best of a hard situation. The day before Spring Break I met with four dads about building a set out of palettes that Tina Ray brought up to the school herself, and we were about to get into major crunch time for our show. As the next few days started to unravel, Abbie James and Darla Lynn helped me brainstorm ways to fulfill the time-old saying, "The show MUST go on." A few meetings and brainstorming sessions later, our South Dialectic Drama production of Oliver Twist: The Radio Show was born. 

Over the months of March through June, these incredible students got on video calls weekly, if not daily, to record each and every line. Students assisted in finding sound effects, and were always eager to share new lines to help adapt this piece from stage to sound. After gathering the lines, sounds and music, the wonderfully talented Eric Williams took everything and added his magic (I'm talking cutting every line and glued them next to each other and making sure each sound tone was up to par) to make this idea become a reality. To say we would never have this show without him is an understatement. 

So here we are! To twenty-one Students, forty-two parents and loved ones, countless faculty and staff... here is my deepest thank you, to each and every one of you, from the bottom of my heart. 

We hope you enjoy this production of Oliver Twist! 

God's Peace, 

Hannah Eppling