By Beth DeHart
Imagine a vertical line. On the left are all the things we do regularly—things we have done countless times. On the right are the things we have never done. The line itself represents the choice to take an action for the first time. Crossing that line can be a big step. The funny thing is, once we cross it, it becomes easier to cross again—sometimes until we hardly think about it anymore.
The Arts Center of Kershaw County’s Black Box Theater, in partnership with the Southern Gothic Festival, presents the world premiere of Shock, a new Appalachian Gothic tale written by Jack Calvin Hannah and Tim Caggiano—a story of secrets and survival. It explores what people sometimes do to survive when the thing they fear becomes real—sometimes even when that thing lives in the house with them.
Shock is a story of agreements, alliances, and collusion, but surprisingly, not judgment. Its characters are human and multilayered, challenging our tendency to label a person or circumstance as simply “this” or “that.” Instead, the play reminds us that our choices in each moment can affect our lives in ways we may never anticipate, setting us on trajectories we never see coming. In the end, perhaps the message is simple: choose wisely.
AYDEN COBB
Sadie Wiskes
Two young actors serve as the co-leads in Shock: Ayden Cobb as Donald Lewis and Sadie Wiskes as Jannice. Both take on substantial roles that demand not only strong performances, but also the ability to navigate complex and difficult subject matter. Cobb, in addition to his excellent acting, delivers two beautifully choreographed dance sequences that introduce and conclude the story. These moments are genuinely mesmerizing.
Sadie Wiskes, Ayden Cobb, and Debra Haines Kiser
The cast also features Debra Haines Kiser as Aunt Sally, Arthur Slade as Horace, and William Small as Tommy - all of whom deliver strong performances. Another memorable performance comes from Co-Director Larry Hembree in his Curtain Speech. In true Larry fashion, his pre-show remarks are a show in themselves, setting a lighthearted contrast for the darkness to come.
Kudos as well to Co-Director Perry Simpson; authors Jack Calvin Hanna and Tim Caggiano; and Nigel Grant, who composed the original incidental music.
As presented, Shock is a study in extremes. Among its characters we see kindness and malevolence, clarity and confusion, sanity, and madness. Those juxtapositions extend into the production itself: a witty Curtain Speech followed by a deeply dark story; that dark story presented under very bright lights; and an all-white cast accompanied by an all-Black band.
That last contrast is particularly poignant given our country’s complicated racial history. Within the context of this production, the band becomes a soothing balm against the darkness of the story. Applause to Delaney Dunn (bass), Kelcye Felder (percussion), Brianna Grant (vocals), Nigel Grant (guitar), and Jaston Hawes (piano). The band’s quiet, understated accompaniment provides welcome moments of relief from the heaviness onstage.
Even the stage crew gets its moments, donning plague doctor, and other masks during scene changes. Props to the stage and production support crew—Emily Deck Harrill, Jameson Gideon, Patrick Michael Kelly, River Lewis, Cam Mullikin, Kim Cooper, and Elizabeth Leverton—for helping bring this unusual production to life.
Shock runs October 2–10 at the Arts Center of Kershaw County. Tickets are available through the Center’s website. This is a fascinating way to kick off the autumn spooky season—and a production that may leave you thinking about the lines you have crossed, and the ones you have yet to cross.