Drama students learn about 9/11 through stage show

Tavia Wood was just a toddler when the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 shook a nation to its core.

She’s learned about the events of that day through TV, history lessons and conversations with her parents — but she’s never really understood the depth of the wounds that day left for those who witnessed it.

“My parents told me that they’ll always remember where they were when it happened,” Wood said. “But I was just 3 when it happened.”

Wood is a cast member in Whitefish High School’s upcoming production of “110 Stories,” an ensemble performance of first-hand accounts from those who lived through the tragedy on 9/11. Through her character, Wood says she’s now much closer to knowing the true feelings of that day.

“Doing this show has brought to life the real encounters of what happened on 9/11,” Wood said. “I feel it more now. Before it was just another event in history, but now I feel more. I don’t necessarily know more, but I feel it more.”

“I know what my parents mean when they say they’ll never forget where they were.”

That sentiment rings true for all the actors in this drama written by Sarah Tuft. The story is told through a collection of intimate monologues.

Zach Ade plays multiple characters, including a fireman, photojournalist and a father.

“We learned about 9/11 a little bit in school, but doing this show has brought to life the real encounters of what actually happened,” Ade said. “The feeling of being there, we can’t know it specifically, but it really resonates with you when you’re playing the character. You feel as if you were standing at Ground Zero watching it all happen.”

Ade says it’s been a good challenge for the cast to portray these real-life characters.

“We’re not acting,” Ade said. “We’re bringing to life the stories of these people who are still alive today. We’re retelling their story.”

Annie Robertson plays a Salvation Army volunteer at Ground Zero.

“The play puts you in the moment,” Robertson said. “Before, I didn’t connect with 9/11, but being this character makes me feel it.”

“I really hope people take in what we’re trying to say and make them feel something.”

The drama club is doing an outreach with the show, inviting students from the high school and middle school to attend.

“For the middle schoolers, they weren’t even alive [when 9/11 happened],” Ade said. “This is going to help keep that memory going. It’s good the administration is letting us do this outreach program.”

“110 Stories” weaves threads of the same story, told from multiple angles. From first responders such as firefighter Don Casey, played by Hunter Cripe, and EMT Paul Adams, played by Hayden Brandt, to K-9 handler Merlin Durham, played by Makkie Haller, and ironworker Tony Esola, played by Ade, who helped in the aftermath. Each character in “110 Stories” puts the audience face-to-face with the universal binding element of humanity.

“It stays very human and looks at how we still remain human even in the event of such a catastrophe,” Ade said.

“The most important part of the play is that it’s teaching that people can come together and work together,” Wood added.

The cast and crew also includes Ethan Mercer, Zach Meadows, Ian Caltabiano, Ella Greenberg, Regan Tintzman, Michaela McDowell, Sydney Archibald, Saige Perchy, Bergen Carloss, Ella Van Vlack, Abby Lowry, Jade Greenberg, T.J. Belcher, Naya Brigette, Adia Saurey, Trey Baumgartner-Siers and Lilly Butts.

“110 Stories” is directed by head WHS drama coach Kelliann Blackburn and assistant coach Zach Duval.

The show runs Feb. 18-20 at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center starting at 8 p.m.. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Concessions will be provided by the WHS culinary arts competition teams.