On Sept. 9, the Whitworth theatre department began rehearsals for their 2025 fall play, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. The play is an adaptation of Kate Douglas Wiggin’s 1903 novel of the same name.  The story follows young farm girl Rebecca Randell, played by first-year Lilian McIlraith, as she leaves her family and home to go stay in town to get an education. While she’s in town, Rebecca lives with her aunts: kind Aunt Jane, played by Sarah Palmer, and strict Aunt Miranda, played by Gianna Caniglia.    

Central to the story is the conflict between Rebecca’s creativity and Aunt Miranda’s rigid rules.  

“There’s something behind people’s actions, and people that you think are mean or cold may actually just be children at the end of the day themselves,” said McIlraith on her character’s thematic foil. “I love the first schoolhouse scene because almost everyone in the entire cast is in that scene, and there’s so much going on, and there’s so many characters and the audience has so much to pay attention to.” 

“I think it’s a really good showcase for the new talent that we have on campus,” said Elise Forier Edie, an associate professor of the theatre department and director of the play. “A lot of the people in the play are freshmen at Whitworth,” she said.

In addition to the cast’s talent, Edie also highlighted the play’s all-ages appeal and the completely student-composed music, both lyrical and instrumental.   

“People should come because wonderful, wonderful members of the community have worked really hard on it,” said Edie. “It tells a beautiful story that’s inspiring and uplifting, and it’s a great place to take your family and do something that’s different.” 

Opening night for Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm is Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in Cowles Auditorium.  Additional performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 11, 12, and 18, as well as at 2 p.m. on Oct. 12 and 19.  Be sure to mark your calendars and follow the theatre department on Instagram at @whitworththeatredance for more information and updates.