Advanced Speech and Oral Interpretation presents “Good Morning Jerusalem”

A modern take on a timeless story

While many churches prepare classic robes and sandals for their Easter passion plays, students from Advanced Speech and Oral Interpretation donned blazers and slacks. On March 31, they performed “Good Morning Jerusalem,” a modern retelling of the Resurrection.

Advanced Speech, taught by Lori Peckham, consists of communication majors, along with education, theology, English and others. It is an advanced sequel to Public Speaking that many students take as part of their general education.

The production opened with students Annika Cambigue, Reef Peckham and Charles Metz as reporters reviewing plans for a special edition of their talk show and discussing the happening of the weekend – the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and His rumored Resurrection. As the play progressed, Enoch Alcala, a Jewish commentator, was introduced, and he discussed the leadership potential of Jesus. Lyndsey Elsey, Quinn Gillespie and Katie Tahay Martinez provided their perspective from when Jesus threw money changers out of the temple. 

The play took a somber turn as Cambigue and Peckham interviewed Shiloh Baillou, playing the apostle Peter, in an emotional depiction of the disciples’ final hours with the Savior. It wasn’t long before the newscast was interrupted for a live press conference from Evan Majors and Larissa Rusenescu, the Roman governor Pilate and his wife.

The last scene featured Metz interviewing Aubrey Benton, who played Mary Magdalene. They were interrupted by Cambigue and Gabriel Sanders, a Pharisee who wrote the book “100 Things You Can’t Do on the Sabbath,” generating much laughter from the audience. The scene ended in a final discussion with the four students; Benton delivering an emotional plea for the others to believe.

The well-received play is the largest but not the only project that the Advanced Speech class has worked on this semester. Students interested in taking their speaking skills to the next level while having some fun in the process are encouraged to speak with their academic advisor to see if the class will be a good fit for their schedule.

By: Charles Metz