Glenbard North tackles tough topics in 'Ordinary People'

A 1980 movie, "Ordinary People," was the inspiration behind speech and theater teacher Jolaine Orlin's decision to mount a stage play version of the story with students at Glenbard North High School.

Themes of alienation, depression and suicide are at the center of the show, which gives the audience a glimpse into the lives of a family rocked by the accidental death of a teenage boy.

"I always loved the movie. There are a lot of students in our school in crisis. There are a lot of students in high school in crisis," said Orlin, who is directing the show set to run Feb. 14-16 at the school. "As a teacher and director, I'm fond of the script."

The story begins after high school student Conrad returns to school following a suicide attempt.

"His brother dies while they're on a boat," Orlin said. "Unfortunately, he has a mother who showed preference to the boy who died."

Conrad seeks the help of a therapist.

"It's all about getting help. That's what drew me to the play," Orlin said.

She said she hopes the story will open dialogue among students facing similar challenges.

"I've been teaching for a long time and I'm seeing more of it than ever," she said. "The school counselors are very busy."

Stephanie Henry is a longtime social worker at Glenbard North. She said students often wrestle with family and social issues along with academic pressures.

"Students are not just academic beings, but they're social beings," Henry said. "There's a push for kids to do well academically. We've got a pretty high-performing school. I think they push too much, take on too much."

Before moving ahead with plans for the show, Orlin said she consulted with Henry about its potential emotional impact on students.

Henry said students learn about developing social and emotional skills as part of their health class curriculum. She said exploring similar themes via the theater department is a healthy way to process feelings.

Orlin said the show has a cast of 10 characters.

"We had 75 auditions, a huge interest in the play," she said.

The two-act show takes place from autumn through Christmas, with a set that depicts Conrad's school, living room and psychiatrist's office.

"It's very movie-like, in a sense. It's very cinematic," she said.

Orlin said she updated the script to reflect modern conventions, such as cellphones.

Senior Eric Norman, the show's assistant director, said some of the dialogue was altered, too.

"We had a fun time changing the terminology," he said.

An experienced actor, Norman said this show is his directorial debut.

"I really loved the book and I've seen the movie a bunch of times," he said. "It's about how not talking about things can harm relationships. That's kind of like its theme throughout the show. Not everything is what it seems on the outside. In the beginning, (Conrad) doesn't want to get help."

Norman said cast and crew have discussed the show's ideas.

"I think it really needs to be done, to show that you're not alone. That it's fiction can be therapeutic to people who are too scared to talk about it," he said.

Norman said the show does have a few moments of comic relief but is decidedly a serious drama.

"Everybody can relate to these kinds of feelings in some way," he said. "I don't think there's going to be a dry eye in the theater. It's very moving."

If you go

What: "Ordinary People"

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 14-16

Where: Glenbard North High School, 990 Kuhn Road, Carol Stream

Tickets: $8.50; available online or at the door

Info: www.glenbardnorthhs.org