Sarah Stoffle, a former Seymour High School graduate and who is currently a senior at Maryville College is directing “The Fantasticks” at Maryville College. Stoffle, who is majoring in theatre/physical is very excited about directing the play, her first mainstay show. “I directed two plays at Camp Ballibay a children’s theater camp at the New York line,” stated Stoffle.
The musical, the longest running in the world, is the classic story of two young lovers separated by feuding families. It combines music, comedy, poetry, some subtle sophistication, and a few plot twists to bring the audience a tale of a boy and a girl learning of life, love and romance.
Stoffle, a 1999 graduate of Seymour High School, is completing her studies already well versed in the stage. With directorial credits such as “Grease,” “Macbeth,” and “Poison,” as well as acting credits in “The Water Children,” and “Working,” Sarah is fine-tuning this performance for its debut Thursday, May 1 at 8:00 p.m. with shows following at the same time on Friday and Saturday, and a matinee performance Sunday at 3:00 p.m.
“The hardest part of the work is directing my peers. I’m usually their friend and now I’m in a position of authority. Also the organizational part of it is hard,” said Stoffle. She adds, “But it’s been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life.”

Stoffle parents are Larry and Deborah Stoffle of Seymour. Larry is the Branch Manager of Home Federal Bank of Tennessee in Seymour. “I’m proud of her. She’s been very dedicated to the theater and to her studies, since she’s been at Maryville College. I’d love her to continue in theater, especially teaching.”
So, what are the future plans for this budding director? “I want to teach drama or physical education after I graduate. Maybe I’ll move to Atlanta to work there and do some community theater,” said Stoffle.
If you’d like to attend a showing of “The Fantasticks” you can call Maryville College at 981-8000.

... read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.