Sherwood Forest came alive onstage the week of Nov. 13-16 as students debuted a lively and heartfelt production of Robin Hood, the age-old tale of the outlaw who “stole from the rich and gave to the poor.” Under the direction of theater teacher Jacob Traver, the cast and crew turned the story into a performance rooted in humor, community, and standing up against injustice.
The play follows the classic story of Robin Hood (played by Elliot Blackburn) who begins as someone who has no interest in being a hero, but slowly steps into the role of protector of the people after witnessing the corruption and cruelty of the Sheriff of Nottingham (Charles Stewart). Alongside his growing band of supporters, the Merry Men, which includes Little John (played by Dominic McDonald), Much the Miller (played by Jeremy Kantsiper), and others, Robin uses disguises, tricks, and quick humor to challenge the Sheriff’s power. Maid Marian (played by Evie Elliot), a childhood friend of Robin’s, becomes an ally to the Merry Men. While the show is filled with jokes, comedy, and action-packed fight scenes, it carries a deeper message about standing up against injustice, even when it’s uncomfortable. Their story serves as a testament to the strength that comes from a supportive community. By the end, Robin and his friends prove that ordinary people can create extraordinary change.
Throughout Centennial’s adaptation of this play, Traver described the rehearsal period as unusually smooth. “I haven’t had a moment where I’ve had to be too grumpy with this cast,” he said, laughing. “It’s been a really clean process from beginning to end.”
His vision for the show centered on both the essence of playfulness and heart. Even in serious moments, he encouraged the cast to find humor while keeping in mind the deeper message of resisting injustice.
Behind the scenes, the tech team experienced their own growth. Senior Maddie Tseu on the marketing team said that beginning the year with many new members left the team inexperienced, though they quickly bonded together. “We went from just a group of new people to a real team,” she explained. Marketing focused on balancing recognizable symbols of Robin Hood, such as his hat and arrows, with new elements like wanted posters to spark curiosity.
McDonald, as an actor and a heavy contributor to tech, emphasized the importance of attention to the small touches on set. “It’s the little details, the heart-shaped knot in the tree, the branches, the brick patterns, that make the set feel real.” Some of those branches, he added, were collected from the woods beyond the Bermuda fields.
For the actors, the show carried a mixture of personal meaning and creative challenge. For Elliott, her role as Maid Marian was especially emotional. “When I was little, this was the only DVD I had,” she said. “Maid Marian has always been my favorite character. I wanted to make myself proud of the adaptation I was creating.”
McDonald explored new acting styles. “I was trying new ways of speaking, trying new ways of, like, carrying myself, and just like seeing what fit best.”
As for Robin Hood himself, Blackburn noted the huge physical element of the show. “I’ve never been in a show where you act as much as you also do physical things. There’s a lot of moving parts to it, and it’s really fun to integrate the physicality with the acting as well.” He also congratulated the dedication and work from the entire cast and crew, especially the largely underclassman ensemble.
Evie explained that the show serves as a reminder that when people witness unfairness, they must step up, even when those in power stand in the way. “You should never let that stop you from making the world a better place,” she said.
Blackburn echoed the sentiment, noting that in today’s climate of alienation, the story calls audiences to remember they are all humans at the end of the day. “What matters is how you treat people with kindness and respect.”
