The Samford Crimson

Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: Expressions

Media Credit: Kelli Winn

Oompa Loompas will bop around on Samford Theatre Department’s stage March 7-8 in a performance of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

The performance aims to raise support and awareness of the Lovelady Center, which is a women’s shelter in Eastlake.

Admission is free, but there will be a contest at the production to guess the number of Gobstoppers in a fishbowl. Contest entry is $5. Whoever guesses closest to the actual number will win a basket of goodies from Soho Sweets. All of the proceeds will go to the Lovelady Center.

Through the years, Samford's theatre department has formed several partnerships with different elementary schools in downtown Birmingham. They teach classes on improvisation, pantomiming and movement. Eventually, the theater department was introduced to the Lovelady Center and became very attached to its cause.

Senior theatre major Natalie Saxon is the director of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and said she originally wanted the play to be performed specifically for the women and children at the Lovelady Center. However, she decided to also show the production at Samford in order to raise awareness and support for the center.

 "(I was) very moved by what the organization stands for and the impact it’s had on so many women’s lives," Saxon said.

Brenda Spahn began the Lovelady Center in 1997. She housed women while they got back on their feet after being released from prison.

The center is now home to more than 250 women and around 50 of their children full-time. While many women come to the center  from prison, some come to escape abusive situations. The center's nine- to 12-month intensive, faith-based program introduces them to the gospel, teaches them job readiness and money management skills and works to help them find steady jobs.

Last year alone the center baptized more than 100 people and assisted over 250 women in finding jobs throughout the community by completing the Lovelady Center program.

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” is Saxon’s senior project.
“I am very excited by how original and fresh our approach to the play is and that I get to be involved in a theater production that will go beyond the university,” she said.

Because it is geared toward a younger audience for the performance at the Lovelady Center, Saxon says the production’s minimal set leaves room for the audience to become active members of the story by using their imaginations.

The ensemble cast of 25 has been rehearsing since the first day of the spring semester to create the one-act play.

Saxon said she loves the characters and lessons that comprise the play.

“It's such a creative, gentle way for children to be taught these moral lessons…how many lessons do you get to learn where there are oompa loompas involved?” Saxon said.

Lessons about the importance of reading and not watching too much television, the reminder to always be grateful for what you have and the damage of gluttony all ring as universal maxims in the play, Saxon said.

“These are lessons that everyone could bear to be reminded of from time to time,” she said.

After three performances at Samford’s Harrison Theatre this weekend, the production will be moved to the Lovelady Center for a private performance for the women and children at the shelter.

“We are so excited about the performance of ‘Charlie and The Chocolate Factory’ at The Lovelady Center,” Lovelady representative Terri Nicholas said. “We service underprivileged children and at-risk youth in the nine- to 12-month residential treatment program, who otherwise may never have the opportunity to experience a performance of this caliber.”

The play will be performed on Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 2:30 and at 6 p.m. in the Harrison Theatre.

Theatre patrons can enter the raffle contest at the door.
\ Donations will be accepted to benefit the Lovelady Center.

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