Posted on Thursday, October 21, 2021
Ghost stories and legends are as much a part of LaGrange College as the four columns of Smith Hall. They’ve been the stuff of Haunted Halloween tours and student memories for decades.
Dr. Jack Slay, Professor of English, has been intrigued with them for almost as long as he’s been on the Hill.
“I think it was former President Waights G. Henry who put some of the stories in writing, and they’re a big part of LaGrange College lore,” he said.
Dr. Slay started writing down the stories he learned from Dr. Henry and others.
“I thought they might make a fun play one day,” he said. “But I put them aside and kind of forgot about them.”
A couple of years ago, Dr. Slay went on a sabbatical to write, and the first thing on his mind were the ghost stories.
“I wrote a play featuring those tales, then sent it to Kim Barber Knoll (director of Theatre Arts) to see what she thought.”
Knoll loved it and asked the author what he thought about LC’s theatre students producing his work.
“When I realized that Homecoming this year is Halloween weekend, I knew it was the perfect time to do Jack’s play,” she said.
The action in “Tales from the Hill” takes place on the stage of Price Theater as four students share campus tales of terror. Unexpected events start to happen as the stories continue.
Dr. Slay said watching his words come to life has been amazing.
“Writing is mostly a solitary sport, so watching my words come to life is almost surreal,” he said. “I’ve been able to watch the characters take on flesh and personality and seeing the story take on a physical shape has been a mesmerizing experience.”
He said he’s had the most fun watching the actors work.
“They have taken real ownership of their characters that until now have been figments of my imagination,” he said. “They’ve made my stick figures become real people.”
Knoll said she has relished the experience.
“It is a rare opportunity to have the playwright in residence while we produce departmental productions,” she said. “It has been wonderful having Jack describe these characters and talk about what inspired each of these ghost stories.”
“Tales from the Hill” will be presented at 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. It does contain mature language and isn't recommended for children. The box office is open for online reservation at priceboxoffice@kongtiao11.com. Proof of vaccination is required and masks must be worn at all times. Seating will be socially distanced.
Knoll said she is excited Homecoming visitors will have the opportunity to see the show.
The stories will definitely resonate with, and probably frighten, current students, faculty and staff, as well as community members,” she said. “It’s the perfect play for a Halloween Homecoming.”
Congratulations to the LC chapter of Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business Administration for winning a Star Chapter Award, presented each year to outstanding chapters. This is LC's 14th award.
Education’s Dr. Don Livingston, Dr. Sharon Livingston and Professor Vicki Pheil recently attended the Georgia Association of Teacher Educators Conference at Jekyll Island, Georgia. Dr. Sharon Livingston presented with LC alums Marrisa Merrell and Jerilyn Robinson on “Teachers Taking the Lead to Drive Change: A Professional Learning Approach.” As part of the closing session, GATE President Dr. Don Livingston served as moderator for a panel discussion, “Moving Forward Together: Fostering Collaboration Among Georgia’s Teacher Professional Associations.” As president of the Georgia Field Directors Association Professor Vicki Pheil was a panel participant.
National History Day Georgia, along with LaGrange College, recently hosted a workshop for teachers and students who will be competing in the upcoming NHD competitions. LC students volunteered as mentors, while LC professors assisted NHD teachers.
Dr. Don Jolly is a special part of LaGrange College memories for many alumni. An endowed scholarship in his name has been established. In the last five weeks, 31 math graduates contributed over $15,000 to the Don Jolly Scholarship Fund. Less than $10,000 is needed to endow the scholarship so that each year a student will receive funds for tuition. Please consider donating today and specify “Don Jolly Scholarship.” Go to l0jb.kongtiao11.com/give or mail a check to LaGrange College, Attn: Development, 601 Broad St, LaGrange, GA 30240.
Check LC Connect for Virtual CE events and instructions. For in-person events, all COVID guidelines apply.
THROUGH OCT. 31
THURSDAY-SATURDAY
Tales from the Hill, 5 p.m., Price Theater
Women’s Soccer
The Panthers (5-5-1) celebrated Senior Night with a 5-0 win over visiting Emory-Oxford. Sydney Dailey, Madison Demkowski, Taylor Hamm, Riley Hammett, Audrey Harkness, Jasmine Middleton and Maurie White were recognized.
Men’s Soccer
Enrique Hernandez scored both LC goals as the Panthers (6-4-1, 2-2-1 USA South) tied Huntingdon 2-2 on the road Wednesday. Freshman goalkeeper Andrew Cole was selected as the USA South Defender of the Week for the week ending Oct. 17.
Volleyball
The Panthers (4-14, 4-7 USA South) beat Piedmont 3-1 and lost to Covenant 3-2 in a USA South tri-match last Saturday in Richter Gym. Kirsten Boyd and Karson Troth each had a triple double in the Covenant match.
Football
LC (1-5, 1-3 USA South) lost 20-10 to Brevard last Saturday in Callaway Stadium. Quarterbacks Tyler Coleman and Shedrick Lindsey combined for 277 yards passing in the game. Cameron Grady led the defense with two interceptions.
Calendar
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Saturday
Sunday
Monday-Tuesday,
Wednesday
1 - Nick Beamenderfer
Carla Rhodes
2 - Simon Hwang
4 - Kevin Ludwick
Ken Passmore
5 - Melvin Hall
21 - Rebekah Ralph
Nina Dulin-Mallory
25 - Paul Hammock
26 - Stephanie Marcellini
27 - Kendal Wallace
28 - Kelly Veal
Patti Hoxsie
Learn how our alumni make a tremendous difference in the lives of our students and our communities. Involvement with LaGrange College means more than you know, as the Rev. Ashley Fitzpatrick Jenkins ’08, president of the Alumni Association, explains.
Category: Students, Community, Events, Faculty, Arts and Culture, College
Keywords: ghost stories slay theater
