In Pauper Players’ newest production, “Spring Awakening,” the cast tackles the concept of growing up and addresses suicide, abortion, sexual abuse and sexuality.
Co-director Jackson Cooper said the play is relatable for young adults who are dealing with adult issues and figuring out who they are.
“It’s all about growing up and being stuck between being a child and being an adult and not knowing how to be either,” Cooper said.
Cooper said it was challenging for the actors to connect with their teenage characters.
“We are at this really weird place where we are 20 to 21 years old, and we are trying to be adults — or we are adults — so we forget what it means to be a child,” he said.
Senior Natalie Myrick, who plays Wendla, said reconnecting with her teenage memories was difficult but helped connect her to her character.
“A big challenge was thinking back to how I functioned as a early teenager — that was something we all had to explore and go back into the mind of a 13-year-old,” she said.
Mariah Barksdale, who plays Ilse, said the cast focused on how to convey the show’s message.