Waco Civic Theatre’s production of To Kill a Mockingbird has sold more tickets than any other straight play in the theater’s history.
The milestone comes as the theater marks its 100th year.
Director Troy Tinney said the story’s themes still resonate nearly a century after its 1930s setting.
“The themes that you would see and think about over the course of the story are exactly the same as things that we deal with today,” Tinney said.
Actor Ross Caraway, who plays Atticus Finch, said that relevance is part of what drew him to the role.
“I really believe that we’re still facing a lot of the same issues that are brought up in the story,” Caraway said. “Those things might reveal themselves a little differently from one family to another or one community to another, but they’re still there.”
The play remains faithful to the language of the 1930s, including slurs and derogatory comments toward Black characters. Tinney said those elements can be difficult for the cast and audience, but they are essential to portraying the story’s history accurately.
“If we don’t teach history correctly, we doom ourselves to repeat it,” Tinney said. “And we have to be accurate when we’re presenting history in such a way.”
On Saturday, the theater will host a pre-show panel called "A Night for Justice," which will connect the play’s themes to the Waco community.
Waco Civic Director of Community Relations Desiree Foley said the event is a chance for local leaders to share their perspectives.
“There are people in our community that could really help relate it to what is going on in our community,” Foley said.
Panelists will include Reverend Dr. Malcolm Foley, Assistant District Attorney Liz Rulife, defense attorney Jason Milam and business owner Jose Mancha.
Foley said the panel was designed to echo the play’s themes.
“We wanted to add those themes of empathy and compassion and justice and doing what’s right, even when it’s unpopular,” she said.
To Kill a Mockingbird runs at Waco Civic Theatre through September 14.
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