The Southwestern College theatre department and Campus Players’ 83rd annual production of “Eagerheart” will be return this December as the SC Christmas chapel, and will be presented at the Kansas Veteran’s Home.  The annual Christmas chapel on the SC campus will be performed in Messenger Recital Hall in the Darbeth Fine Arts Center on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 11 a.m. and again at 6:30 p.m. The performance for the Kansas Veteran’s Home will take place at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6, however this performance is not open to the public.

 Produced on the SC campus for the chapel service annually since 1932, the Campus Players began touring the Christmas mystery play in 2009 after the 75th annual production in 2007, when the group was invited to perform in England where “Eagerheart” was written and first produced. 

“Eagerheart,” by early 20th century English playwright A.M. Buckton, celebrates the legend that Christ and the Holy Family travel the earth each year, blessing one deserving home where they rest on Christmas Eve.   Eager Heart and sisters Eager Fame and Eager Sense, along with shepherds and kings of Power, Wisdom, and Love, reveal their understanding of Christ and His teachings.  The search for the Holy Family is tested by beggars seeking food and shelter.  The play challenges and inspires audiences to live with charity throughout the year. 

Roger and Allyson Moon have led the production of “Eagerheart” since 1988.

“Tradition is important to many of us at Christmas time,” says Roger Moon, “and it obviously is to Allyson and me, as well as the Campus Players.  That is why we do ‘Eagerheart’ each year.   People want to celebrate the Christmas holiday in a way that reminds them of a time when we perceive there was a simpler joy and life at this time of year.  We like to believe that charity and thinking about others and their needs were more important, and to go back to that time.  ‘Eagerheart’ reminds us that charity is the real heart of the Christmas tradition, but also reflects that it is a constant human struggle for us.”

This year the role of Eager Heart will be played by Campus Player President Anna Rosell, a senior theatre major from Wichita.

Also in the cast are junior Allie Petrovich, Colorado Springs, Colo., in the role of Eager Fame and senior Tori Fairbank, Garden City, as Eager Sense. 

The Beggar Man will be played by Stephen Gehly, Jenks, Okla.  The kings will be played by senior Jacob Marney, Winfield, as King of Power; junior Eli Rodda, Winfield, as King of Wisdom; and senior John Rohr, Arkansas City, as King of Love.

Continuing a tradition of inviting a Campus Player alumni or guest artist to play a role, Dan E. Campbell, Wichita, will play the role of the Old Shepherd. Other shepherds will be played by seniors Austin Davis, Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Brandi Young and Phoebe Muldrow, Winfield.

The Prologue will be given by junior Meagan Morrow, Bartlesville, Okla., and angels will be played by senior Quenton Todd, Lawrence; junior Carlene Dick, Kingman; and senior Zoe Rea, Salina, as the Angel of Death.

For decades the Campus Players have chosen a female student, faculty, or staff member to play the role of the beggar woman who later becomes recognized as one the Holy Family, and also have used infants of the community as the beggars’ child taken in by Eager Heart.   A chosen senior student will play the role at the chapel performance and a selected faculty or staff will play the Beggar Woman at the community performance. 

Audiences are welcome at both SC Campus “Eagerheart” performances without charge.  Audiences at the campus chapel and community performances are encouraged to bring canned food for the Winfield Food Pantry. 

For more information about area “Eagerheart” performances, contact the Southwestern College performing arts office at (620) 221-7720. 

Southwestern College is a private institution granting undergraduate and graduate degrees and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.  About 1,700 students attend classes at the main Winfield campus, at six professional studies sites in Kansas and Oklahoma, or online around the world.