The Longmont High School drama department is preparing to bring a modern interpretation of Little Women to the stage, with performances scheduled for April 24 through April 26. Based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic 19th-century novel, Little Women follows the coming-of-age journey of the four March sisters as they navigate family, ambition, and identity during the Civil War era. The story explores themes of sisterhood, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams in a changing world.
This version, adapted by playwright Kate Hamill, offers a contemporary, character-driven retelling aimed to resonate with today’s audiences.
LHS drama director Dac Cederberg said the decision to produce Little Women stemmed from student enthusiasm and a desire for a more serious, dialogue-heavy performance following the department’s previous production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. “A lot of people were very enthused about doing Little Women,” Cederberg said. “They felt that it would be a great acting challenge and a really good thing that a lot of people would be interested in seeing.”
Cederberg selected Hamill’s 2018 script for its emotional depth and ability to connect with modern viewers. “It has a good pace,” he said. “It also spoke most profoundly to a modern audience while still retaining the original feel of the book.”
Senior student Madison Hatfield, who plays Jo March, described the experience as both rewarding and challenging. “So far it's been so much fun,” Hatfield said. “But it's been a big challenge, honestly, because I've never played a role that's as serious as this. Jo March is very real and she's very down to earth. She still has her big reaction moments. She's a teenage girl, but she is way more grounded than the other characters I've played.”
Hatfield said she relates strongly to her character. “Me and Jo, we're buddies,” she said. “We're both very stubborn. We both pour our souls into our different forms of art. For Jo, it's writing and playwriting. For me, it's visual art and singing. And we both want very much for our arts to create some sort of impact on the world around us.”
As rehearsals progressed, Hatfield said she began to see deeper parallels between her own ambitions and Jo’s. “We’re both frustrated by the distance between where we are and where we want to be,” she said. “We want to create change so badly through our art, but we don’t know how to do it yet. That’s Jo’s big struggle in the show, and it’s something I’ve felt too.”
The production’s tone has brought the cast closer together, Hatfield added. “This show kind of requires the cast to be a little bit closer, to be able to have the vulnerability to be in character and explore different acting choices,” she said. “There have been multiple days where, just because we’re comfortable with each other, we can make stronger acting choices. You can’t do those things if you’re not close with your cast members.”
Cederberg echoed that sentiment, describing the ensemble as tightly knit. “The students have really come together to bring their own flavors to a unifying concept,” he said. “The whole production is designed to feel like a novel brought to life, with fluid transitions and strong character perspective.”
A unique element of this production is a special Saturday matinee performance led by understudies, something Cederberg incorporates to highlight their effort. “If you're going to put in all that work to prepare, then you deserve to have a chance to perform in front of a live audience,” he said.
For Hatfield, the experience has been eye-opening not just artistically, but personally. “I've been learning more about how I react to things through how Jo reacts to things,” she said. “I've also learned that I have ambition as a person. I never really saw myself as ambitious before, but seeing so much of Jo in me has pointed out that, hey, you are.”
As opening night approaches, Hatfield said she hopes audiences come away with a renewed sense of possibility. “I want them to feel a little bit of empowerment and just have a fun night out,” she said. “Especially the young women in the audience. I hope this gives them encouragement, maybe even hope. To keep writing, or keep creating, or just to get through the week.”
Tickets for Little Women will be available at the door and online through Longmont High’s theater department. Adult tickets are $15 and tickets for students, seniors, and members of the military are $10. Performances are scheduled for April 24 through 26, with the understudy cast performing on the afternoon of April 26.
