Folk-play “In The Wake of Time” returns to Abbeville

The folk-life play “In The Wake of Time” is returning to Abbeville, starting next weekend at the Abbey Players.
The Allumé Society, in joint effort with the Abbey Players, has brought the play because of popular demand.
The play is about Vermilion Parish residents, based on local stories gathered by individuals.
The play has everything from comedy to tragedy of ordinary people from Vermilion Parish.
This year’s performance will be held for two consecutive weekends in March. The first weekend will be Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14 at 7 p.m. and Sunday matinee, March 15 at 2 p.m.
The next weekend will be March 20-21 at 7 p.m. and Sunday matinee, March 22, at 2:00 pm. Doors open two hours before curtain time.
There are 50 people playing different parts in the play.
“Being in this play is truly a great experience. It is so amazing to see so many old cast members and get to meet so many new ones,” said Caleb Lombas
“I consider it a true honor to be a part of a play that means so much to so many people. I’m learning so much from amazing people. Each rehearsal is a memory in the making, and I couldn’t be more excited for people to come and
experience this journey with the cast,” said Theresa Rudesill.
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at The Depot, 201 W. Lafayette Street, Abbeville (337-740-2112) ,Tuesday - Friday from 10 a.m. -5:00 p.m.
In 2011, Charlene Beckett and Odile Segrest, board members of the Allume’ Society, Friends of Historic Downtown Abbeville, attended a Building Creative Community Conference in Colquitt Georgia, home of the “Swamp Gravy” performance. While there, they learned how the story gathering process can be beneficial to community building by preserving local stories as well as having a successful economic impact on the community.
Scenes from the play included vignettes of the arrival of Pere Megret, the founder of Abbeville; living in Vermilion; public and private schools; drive-inns; curfews and college bound, all dealing with life in Vermilion Parish in some way.
Many of the actors who performed in the play in 2011 will be performing again in 2015.
Judge Edwards is back as Waterman.
“When I performed in the play the first time I was not sure what the play was about except that is was a gathering of stories about Abbeville,” Judge said. “Once we did the production I realized that there were so many stories about Abbeville and Vermilion Parish that should be told. This was but a small collection of our stories that spanned our 150 plus years of history. The play covered and included many of the families and the different aspects or our culture. The first time was very touching and a moving experience for both the cast and the audience. This had the potential to both unite and build our community in ways that no one has yet touched.”
For more information contact, Charlene Beckett 337-652-2239 or Odile Segrest, 337-224-5454.