Student-authored play on stage at Northwestern

“This Bird Also,” a play by Northwestern College senior Abi Stoscher, has been selected by Boston playwright Jeffrey Sweet for performance during the college’s 22nd annual World Premiere Festival, which showcases student-authored scripts.

The full-length play will be performed in the England Theatre April 28 and 29 at 7:30 p.m. The show is free; seating is first-come, first-served.

“This Bird Also” is set in an Eastern European family-home orphanage run by a married couple with a teenage son. They are caring for three orphaned children when a fourth child in need of a home shows up. Stoscher, who grew up in Erseka, Albania, writes in the script that the play is inspired by a true story and based on actual events. Information about the organization that inspired her play is available at foleza.org.

In choosing “This Bird Also” from among seven student-authored submissions, Sweet said, “The central issue—how much effort you can put into being a good person in a losing cause—is haunting and explored without easy bromides or sentiment.” Sweet has written numerous plays and scripts that have been produced around the U.S. and is a voter in the Tony Awards.

Senior Julia VanDyk, Ames, Iowa, is directing the production. The Brightons and their son are played by Logan Wright, Council Bluffs, Iowa; Chris Miksch, Le Mars; and Lucas Sander, Newton, Iowa. Emelie Swonger, Bismarck, N.D., has the role of a housekeeper. The orphans are Charlie Hubbard, Orange City; Natalie Blackman, Colorado Springs; and Lindsey Hassman and Peace Preston, both from Spencer, Iowa.