WA Theater Arts’s latest black box show, Almost, Maine, is hitting the main stage this December. Show times are at 3:00 and 7:00 on December 14, 15 and 16. Directed by Emily Harde, the play centers around people falling in and out of love in the town of Almost, Maine.

The cast and crew of the show have been rehearsing since late October to successfully bring to life the romance in the small northern Maine town.

The cast include sophomores Amanda Urban, Brendan Berg and Cameron Ditto, along with freshmen Elle Whitehead, Jack Pappas, Ronan O’Connor, Jenna Cuzziere, and Zoe McCarthy. They each take on the roles of multiple characters through the nine different scenes of the play.

The 14-member crew of the show came together in mid-November, with Alyssa Ramoutar as stage manager and Renee Owen as assistant director.

Throughout rehearsals, the cast and crew displayed enthusiasm and positivity, which they hope will shine through to the audience.

“Going to rehearsal every day makes me so happy,” freshman actress Elle Whitehead said.“This was one of the best experiences ever.”

Director Emily Harde is said to be a major influence on the young actors, actresses and crew members.

“I’ve learned so much just from watching and listening to what the fantastic director Emily Harde teaches,” another freshman, Heather Bortolussi said.

Relatively new to theater, Bortolussi has grown to love the experience.

“It’s all just been such an enlightening experience which opened a new world to me […] and so far I love it,” Bortolussi when asked about her first theater production since fifth grade.

Originally written by John Cariani, Almost, Maine has won critical acclaim and been frequently produced all over the country. Although comedic due to over-exaggeration, the audience is still able to relate to the characters in their own way.

Bortolussi feels that the themes of this play are universal.

“Life throws curveballs and everything seems to go wrong all at once but no matter what the problem, love prevails even if it’s in a different form,” Bortolussi said.