The St. Cloud theater department has put on its first show for the 2023-2024 school year, Little Women.

     The play brings the importance of family and the encouraging line of “growing up to be who you want to be”. This play was chosen to be put on to “display family and comradery” stated by the director, Mrs. Lloyd. The characters of the play came together as a family with a bond only families share. The sisters, also the leads, demonstrated sisterhood between each other even though they drive each other crazy and have a mother who is dealing with a lot. The mother’s character displayed the struggles of mom’s raising children on their own while their husbands are away at war. Even with circumstances, she still has the aspects of a caring mother who would do anything for her children.

      The main idea to Little women, according to Mrs. Llyod, is “breaking tradition, by displaying the importance of family and growing up to be who you want to be.” Plays can show cast many themes, but this play was to symbolize resilience. Jo, one of the main characters tries to break away from the social aspects that were placed on young women back in the day. She is being who she wants to be, no matter what. Unlike other young women, Jo prefers to fight in the war rather than stay at home as a housewife. She demonstrates having bigger dreams, than the feminine roles placed on women through society.

      While the audience was watching, you could feel the emotions and thrilling aspects throughout the auditorium, many laughs but also sadness and grief. Despite the audio technical issues that occurred during the play, the actors did an amazing job telling the story and making a mark on the viewers. Each actor put passion into their role and made the story come to life and made you feel as if the characters were real people. It was clear extraordinary talent. The theater department worked hard to make this the best first play, and it will surely bring back many people for more shows in the future.