After witnessing and capturing pictures in the Iraq war, a photojournalist and her significant other are faced with the challenging question of, is living to tell the truth of misery more important than living in joy? 

Wichita State University’s School of Performing Arts had opening night for the play ‘Time Stands Still’ on April 22 in the Welsbacher Theater. This show was directed by Sheldon Mba.

The show follows a photojournalist, Sarah Goodman played by Mia Dennett, and her significant other, James, played by Colton Farmer, both of whom are trying to readjust to life after returning from covering the Iraq War. In the show, they face significant challenges because a roadside bomb injured Sarah, but she craves to go back anyway.

As a person who took only one drama class but has seen many theatrical performances, the opening night of this play had some of the best live acting I’ve seen in a long time. Farmer’s embodiment of James particularly stood out to me. It seemed so effortless and real compared to some of the acting I’ve seen before; it was very well done. 

I found myself invested in the story from the beginning, like I was watching life from an observer’s standpoint. The sound design was minimal, which created more emphasis on the silent tension during pauses and the words themselves. 

With the focus on conversation, it can be harder for some to get invested; however, this was one of the hardest-hitting plays that I have ever seen. Not only because of the phenomenal acting, but because the play hit close to home to me as a journalist.

There is a scene that shows Sarah, James, Mandy played by Olivia Lybarger, and Richard played by Gabriel Almodovar. Richard is the couple’s longtime friend and colleague, and Mandy is Richard’s significant other. They are in the living room going through photos Sarah took while in Iraq. 

One of the photos the group witnesses depicts a child that is near death and it did not sit right with Mandy. Mandy and Sarah begin to argue about why Sarah did not help the child, but Sarah keeps her professional attitude about capturing and sharing the truth with others without intervening. Mandy, however, believes that pictures may share the truth but doesn’t think a single person can do anything from a different part of the world just by seeing it. 

Once that argument was had, I was fully invested in the show, and the actors absolutely nailed their performance in that scene. 

‘Time Stands Still” uses a single set with multiple prop changes throughout the performance, allowing the audience to focus on the acting and dialogue. The prop changes were used to show what was going on in a scene. Such the wedding night where beer bottles are seen and James behaves drunkenly. The set looked like a studio apartment containing a couch and a recliner chair and behind them, raised up a few steps, was a bed. There was also a functional kitchen included in the set.

Coffee was made on set and the sink worked so they poured water on set as well. It really was like I was watching someone else’s life. 

Another aspect that really drew my attention were the windows. Lighting was used so that day and night were able to be shown and I thought that was a great detail to include. I also enjoyed the warm lighting used throughout. 

The actors also changed outfits multiple times throughout the play in order to showcase different events and time moving forward, and I think that was a great way to do so. The outfits ranged from dresses and suits on James and Sarah’s wedding day to casual attire such as shirts, jeans, sweaters, and light jackets.

Overall, I think this play was phenomenal. 

The acting was so engaging and natural, and the way that the messages were depicted and brought up throughout was so engaging. It was a very well done production by the School of Performing Arts. 

Gallery • 12 Photos

Zachary Ruth

Gabriel Almodovar, playing Richard, looks up at Olivia Lybarger, playing Mandy, while she speaks about her character's job on April 22. Richard and Mandy met shortly before the events of the play.