Thrilling Spring Play Explores Tragedy & Response

Bellwether is a picture-perfect community. Nothing bad ever happens in this safe and friendly little town...until six-year-old Amy Draft goes missing. As the investigation into her disappearance progresses, Amy's parents come under the speculation and scrutiny of their once close-knit neighborhood. Things are not what they seem and Amy’s disappearance is only a glimpse of what lurks below the community's ideal facade. 

Find out the conclusion of this gripping story in the upcoming production of Bellwether, presented by the York College Theatre Department March 1-4. John Baker, associate professor of communication, directs this thrilling show that explores the human response to tragedy and the dark side of relationships. 

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The term ‘bellwether’ originally meant the lead sheep in a flock, marked with a bell, who signals danger. During a recent interview with NET-Radio, Baker explains that in modern usage, bellwether simply means an indicator, sometimes of danger, or a predictor of change. “This whole show is about a bellwether, or a warning of what could come, and how everyone in the town follows this leader, or trend, into the dangers that the play is speaking of,” Baker explained.

Baker describes Bellwether as a modern take on traditional greek theatre. The show, written in 2011 by Steve Yockey, has been called “an emotional ride,” “audacious, entertaining, and chilling” by theatre reviewers, who also note that the show is moving and at times funny. Yockey describes the show this way: “The adventure that the audience gets to go on with the play is that they are in this very familiar-feeling world and then that world suddenly moves out from under them.” Due to the adult themes presented in the show and frightening elements, this production is not recommended for patrons under 13. ​

Hannah Anderson portrays one of the reporters covering the disappearance of the children of Bellwether.

The cast of this show includes Nathan Clark, Olivia Nabb, Deidre Freitas, Corrie McDonald, Ainsley Mountjoy, Hannah Anderson, Breanna Bembenek, Amalia Miller, Jacob Wirka, and Grady Johnson. Junior Ryan Harrison assistant directs.

Nabb, a sophomore from Lincoln, plays the lead role of the missing child’s mother in Bellwether. She says the role has been challenging. “It’s definitely stretched and grown me me as an artist and actress, having to work through those difficult emotions.” Nabb has many younger siblings, including a sister about the age of the girl who goes missing in the play, so the show hits close to home for her. “I think about what I would do if I woke up one day and she wasn’t there,” she said. 

The set is a cross section of the Draft family’s home, with blank stage beyond it. “Outside is this oblivion,” said Baker. “We see the neighbors and their reaction as they peer into the house and watch the family go through this tragedy.” Their responses shift rapidly from ‘We’re here to support you,’ to ‘What did you do to your child?’ The show deals with assumptions about community and the social constructs by which we live, said Baker, as well as the role of media in our lives and minds, especially in the wake of tragedy. 

Tickets for Bellwether are $7 for students/seniors and $10 for adults. This production will be held in the Bartholomew Performing Arts Center (1026 E 10th St.), Thursday, March 1, Friday, March 2, and Saturday, March 3 starting at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 4 starting at 2 p.m. To reserve tickets, please visit www.york.edu/boxoffice or call (402) 363-5641. The box office opens two hours prior to showtime and seating begins 30 minutes before showtime. Reserved tickets must be paid for no later than 10 minutes before the show starts or they will be released for sale to other patrons. ​

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Alan and Jakcie Draft are interviewed about the disappearance of their daughter, Amy.