For the 2016 winter play Pride and Prejudice, the Sage Hill theater program took on the iconic love story of Elizabeth and Darcy. In a fast-paced, refreshing edition of the play by Jon Jory, the students bring the wit and romance of Jane Austen’s novel to life.

Pride and Prejudice follows Elizabeth Bennet, the second eldest of her sisters. Her mother, Mrs. Bennet, is consumed with the task of marrying her daughters off to wealthy and agreeable men. The story follows a fairly typical romantic-comedy structure, where Elizabeth meets the enigmatic and prideful Mr. Darcy and immediately resolves not to let her feelings triumph over her good sense. After a series of misunderstandings and obstacles, the two resolve their pride and prejudices in order to find love in each other.

“I feel like it’s a classic love story,” says junior Paige Okey, who played Kitty Bennett. “What sets it apart is that, unlike a lot of other romantic stories, the main conflict is class structure. The relationship in this time period revolve a lot around money and class, and how those tie into romance It’s interesting to be able to explore that physically on stage.”  

Paige Reyna, who played Charlotte Lucas, was thrilled to be able to take on Pride and Prejudice. “I’ve loved Jane Austen ever since I watched the movie in 6th grade, and read the book in 7th grade. I feel like I grew up with Pride and Prejudice.”

Despite the challenge of British dialect, as well as the differences in customs of the early 1800s, the students embodied their characters and brought the play to life. With a minimal but elegantly painted set design and elaborate costumes made by Michael Fitzpatrick, the show was received with a full audience and standing ovation.

“Sage Hill students can take a lesson from this play,” Reyna says. “Love comes to the ones who don’t stand in the way of each other’s marriages.