ArtsCenter's production of 'Walt' breathes new life into Whitman's legacy

Walt Whitman’s poetic musings will come to life in Carrboro this weekend.

The ArtsCenter is telling Whitman’s life story in the southeast premiere of a musical production called “Walt.”

Director Jeri Lynn Schulke said although the show is focused on the journey of just one artist, the play’s theme is universal.

“I think people might think that because it’s just a one-word title about one guy, they might think the play is about just one guy, but it’s not,” Schulke said.

“We watch him have those inspirational moments and have those times in his life where he grapples with how to find his voice and how to share his voice and how to get people to listen to that voice, and I think that’s kind of an artist’s challenge.”

The show, which premiered Friday, has an ensemble of 11 actors — a large number for an ArtsCenter production, Schulke said.

“It’s a big cast, and they are involved in the show the whole time,” she said.

“If they’re not in a scene as an actor, they’re still onstage and involved with each scene, so figuring out stage placement and blocking, for me personally, was challenging.”

Schulke also said most of the actors are playing multiple roles.

“Seeing the actors create all these different characters and find this individuality of the characters in the play, that’s been a lot of fun,” she said.

Actress Hazel Edmond plays Hattie, as well as a carpenter, a soldier and four other roles.

“It is (challenging) because you really want each role (to be) different than the next,” Edmond said.

Actor Michael Shannon, who plays a character named Other Soul, said he learned a lot about the poet through this production.

“I knew he was a poet and had done a lot of writing about Lincoln, but I didn’t really know much about his life or his poetry,” Shannon said.

“So it’s been interesting as well to learn more about that part of our history and our country.”

Edmond said while she never read anything by Whitman in school, her sister and co-workers had, and they enjoyed his work.

“He believes in his writings and he wanted to share it,” she said.

“He was not going to back down no matter what anyone said, and I admire that strength in a person.”

Edmond said Whitman’s story is relevant to everybody.

“He’s been around, he’s familiar and yet he’s still new,” she said. “It’s just a good story for people to hear.”

Contact the desk editor at arts@dailytarheel.com.