On Tuesday, Oct. 21, the Peregrine Players, students of Archie Williams’ drama department, kicked off the week by performing the theatre adaptation of the 1962 book A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L’Engle. A total of six shows took place from October 21 to 25 in the Archie Williams Little Theatre, all beginning at 7 p.m., with the addition of 2 p.m. Saturday matinee. The play blends themes of science fiction and a touching story of family and love.

Adapted by New York-based playwright Morgan Gould, the show runs for approximately an hour and a half, including a 15-minute intermission for concessions. The production has two casts known as Ethereal, and Spectral.

A Wrinkle in Time follows Meg, an awkward teenager who, along with her brother Charles Wallace and their friend Calvin, sets off on an adventure through time to save her father from a mysterious force known as the ‘Black Thing,’ or simply ‘It.’ Several other cosmic characters assist them on their journey, known as Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, Mrs. Which, and Happy Medium. The play highlights Meg’s growth, as she learns to accept that her flaws may actually be her greatest strengths. 

Audience member Dylan O’Ward believes the production captured the essence of the show well.

“It was very mind-bending, the way they used the set to explain [the plot] was really interesting,” O’Ward said. 

Actors appreciated the opportunity to take on complex characters and immerse themselves in the world of the show. Archie Williams senior drama student Jaden Nissen, who played Calvin in the Spectral Cast, found that, despite the limited time the class had to prepare, the production came together skillfully. 

“We only had about five weeks to put [the show] on, but it feels really good to have gotten this far. Everything is wrapping up nicely,” Jaden said. 

In previous years, the Peregrine Players were separated into beginning and advanced level classes. Now, however, the department consists of two periods with students of all grades. In addition to a mix of levels and experience, A Wrinkle in Time is almost entirely a student-led production, with actors taking on many different roles such as set design, costuming, theatre tech, publicity, and even directing, according to drama teacher Jasper Thelin.

“We have student directors, Georgia Conway and Cavan Donery, who are doing a lot of the really heavy lifting…really taking charge of the play,” Thelin said. 

After the performances of A Wrinkle in Time conclude Oct. 25, the Peregrine Players continue to look forward to their future stagings. The department will finish off the winter semester with a production of The Vi$it by Friedrich Durrenmatt Nov. 12 through 15.