Watchung Hills' Readies 'Our Town'

New Hampshire at the turn of the 20th century. That was a long time ago. No cell phones, TVs, computers, not even cars. Change comes slowly to this small town. People grow up, get married, live, and die. Milk and the newspaper get delivered every morning, and nobody locks their front doors.

Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" is a timeless drama that has become an American classic with universal appeal. His most frequently performed play, "Our Town" first appeared on Broadway in 1938 to wide acclaim, and won the Pulitzer Prize. From the very beginning, "Our Town" has been produced in amateur and professional theatres around the world.

One of the important themes in Wilder’s play is how love and life are fleeting. To quote the ubiquitous Stage Manager who drives the play’s plot, “…you’ve got to live life to have life, and you’ve got to have life to love life.” This brief statement encapsulates Wilder’s life view.

Thornton Wilder is one of the great playwrights of the 20th century, or any century for that matter. A student of philosophy he always returned to what he knew best, people and their relationship to the world. His philosophy of theater could be said in one sentence, "On stage, is always now." This sums up the structure of "Our Town." It is a play that uses the past to see what we are like now.

Principal cast members:

And a large ensemble cast.

Bio of Director Doug Eaton

With a BA degree in acting and speech from Emerson College, Doug Eaton has worked in many theatres over the years, acting and directing in Boston, Vermont and NJ. Eaton comes to Watchung Hills HS with a strong background in theater, scenic design and film. As the theatre and cinema instructor here, Eaton teaches Intro to the Theatre, Theatre Production and Cinema Studies. A great film buff, Eaton also makes movies, having several of his films shown at local film festivals.

As a theatre teacher at Cranford HS before coming to Watchung Hills, Eaton was director and designer of their fall and spring productions. During his time there, he and his students were recognized by the Montclair Theatre Night Awards at Montclair State University for set design and acting for Arthur Miller’s "The Crucible" and also nominated for Best Production of the play "Picnic" last year.
As a teacher, Eaton motivates his students by conveying his own enthusiasm for the subject and believes that student should have a hands on approach to theatre and theatrical production, allowing them to learn more and have fun while doing it.

Eaton has been welcomed graciously and enthusiastically by the students and staff at Watchung Hills HS and is excited to continue preparing students for a lifelong career in the arts.