Jennifer Rich-Neal
Published: November 8, 2006
Through the service learning approach, a series of bonus features has been produced. Prior to each curtain call of the musical, the audience will be treated to a 10-minute presentation of various aspects surrounding the reality that was World War II. PJC students, faculty and patrons of WWII have worked together to bring forth a unique background for the play.
“This whole project is a mess,” communications instructor Jen Ehrhardt said, “but that’s what makes it so great.”
Ehrhardt reflected on the networking of different PJC departments to learn through experience.
“The point of the bonus features is to create the experience for the audience,” Ehrhardt said. “The emotional involvement of service learning and the historical strength of World War II is what I believe makes this project so successful.”
An important connection has been made between several generations through oral history, Ehrhardt said. The residents at Azalea Trace who have shared their stories with students left a vast impression.
The PJC departments that have contributed to the project are very diverse, each adding its own unique element to the production.
Cosmetology students did a bit of research. Their findings on hair, make-up and fashion of the 1940s have been applied to recreating the styles on other cosmetology students, acting as models.
The results have been photographed by Ehrhardt and altered by multimedia student Cheryl Wisnewski to give them a 1940s appearance.
The cosmetology department also provided stage make-up for Azalea Trace interviewees who were recorded at WSRE. The interviews were taped and edited by television production interns under the supervision of Dr. Cindy App, visual arts department.
Providing further insight for the students, cosmetology instructor Sharon Richards and alumni Laura Darling interviewed Azalea Trace residents on their memories of hair and fashion of the 1940s. All of the work performed by the cosmetology department will be showcased prior to the Nov. 17 production.
The education surrounding this project has not been restricted to the fashion trends of the era. For those interested in what life was like on the home front, Dr. Peter Gram, psychology professor, has compiled three interesting perspectives to be presented Nov. 10: “Propaganda, humanizing the enemy, and trying to preserve patriotic fervor.”
Remembering his parents’ involvement in the war has helped Gram understand the changes that occurred in society.
“There were changing roles in society, particularly the roles of women and [methods of] conservation,” Gram said.
Additional presentations before each curtain call will be given by the Azalea Trace marketing department, select Azalea Trace residents, the PJC theatre department and the Improvable Cause theatre group. Ehrhardt will summarize the massive involvement in this project on the last night of the musical with her own documentary.
Ehrhardt said that everyone involved — students and faculty alike — has learned a lot from this project. It is her hope that service learning can be utilized more in the future and perfected a little more each time.