Oregon State University theater student Leah Kahn’s new play, “Ellis Island,” runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights with 7:30 pm shows, and Sunday February 13 with a 2:00 pm showing at the Withycombe Hall Lab Theatre.
According to OSU Theatre, “Ellis Island” is the touching story of an unlikely friendship that develops between two immigrant women fleeing their home countries to America in 1906. The barriers of language and cultural differences are overcome by a shared vision for a brighter future.
The production features the design work of OSU students Libby Brennan for costumes and Dakota Smith for lighting. There will be performances by OSU students Maia Barnabey as Mandolina, Tess Juarez as Dominica, and Savannah Taggard as Fecha joined by Corvallis community members Jax Kelberer and Kyle Stockdall.
Playwright Khan, who has performed in many plays at OSU including “A Christmas Carol”, “The Secret Garden”, and “The Little Prince”, enjoys writing. Besides the play, the poet recently produced an e-zine short guide with Erin Kahn titled “How To Be A Modern Romantic.”
Khan tweeted about her excitement for the play, saying, “I talked with the director of my play today and everything I hoped people would get out of my play they are getting. This is why I write, to show others the world in new and beautiful ways.”
Director Hannah Schwartz, another OSU theater student, said of the play, “I want to really emphasize the reality of how difficult communicating with one another would be and the beauty of overcoming those obstacles.”
Admission is free and open to the public. For ticket reservations visit the play website
or contact the OSU Theatre Box Office at 541-737-2784.
Please note that OSU Covid-19 Safety & Success attendance policy states guests must show proof of vaccination/ or a negative test from within the prior three days for admittance. Seating is limited in the Lab Theatre so there will be no late admittance.
By Stacey Newman Weldon
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