The Southwestern College theatre department and Campus Players production of “Eagerheart” will return to Winfield for its 78th annual Christmas performances in SC’s Helen Graham Little Theatre, but will also tour across Kansas.  After its invited tour to England last year, the Christmas mystery play, produced since 1932, will be performed in Winfield and area churches multiple times between December 4 and 12. 

“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 her 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 by Christ’s teachings throughout the year. 

The first “Eagerheart” tour performance will be Saturday, Dec. 4 in Wichita at Calvary United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. 

Sunday, Dec. 5, “Eagerheart” will be performed in the Helen Graham Little Theatre at 6:30 p.m.  Campus performances will continue on Wednesday, Dec. 8, in the Little Theatre at the 11 a.m. chapel time and again at 6:30 p.m., and are open to community audiences.  Because seating is limited in the Little Theatre, audiences for the college performances should reserve tickets in the SC performing arts office by calling (620) 221-7720. 

The second Kansas touring performances will be north of the Winfield City Lake at Prairie View United Methodist Church, in Atlanta, on Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m.
The “Eagerheart” cast and crew continue with performances throughout the weekend.  Performance times and location include:

• Friday, Dec. 10, at First United Methodist Church in Newton,7 p.m.;
• Saturday, Dec. 11, at Luray United Methodist Church, in Luray (west of Salina), 1 p.m;
• Saturday, Dec. 11, at First United Methodist Church, Concordia, 7 p.m; 
• Sunday, Dec. 12, at First United Methodist Church in El Dorado, 11 a.m.

Design of the “Eagerheart” touring production has been necessarily simplified to play in any church or theatre, regardless of size.  The tour is made possible by Campus Player and college alumni, community supporters, and by “love offerings” at churches where the play is performed. 

One of the most cherished traditions of the Southwestern College Campus Players annual production of “Eagerheart” will be continued on tour.  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.   Churches are invited to choose a woman and young infant for those roles, bringing to life the importance of the values of “Eagerheart.” 

For more information about area Eagerheart performances, contact the Southwestern College Performing Arts Office, 229-6272.