One hundred fifty years ago across the plains of the Midwest, children were running about as the women tended to their work. The quilts these women made had intricate details made from only scraps of material used throughout their lives. These quilts represent the troubles and triumphs of their lives as women living on the plains. These women are known as the Quilters, leaving behind the story of their life in one wonderfully crafted piece of art.

“Quilters” is the story about the lives of a woman and her six daughters that takes place 150 years ago on the frontier. “Quilters” is different from a typical musical in that it only has seven cast members playing multiple parts, young to old, compared to a musical where a large chorus may sing the numbers. The play focuses on Sarah and her six daughters growing and learning throughout their lives. Act I of the play begins by depicting how life was for a young girl living on the plains and then goes into Act II, showing life when the girls are older and what real life is like after getting married and having children. These experiences bring them both happiness and frustration. The play also shows what life was like for older women who share their experiences and wisdom with those around them.

The story of “Quilters” originated from the Smithsonian Institute project on quilts. The writers, Barbara Damashek and Molly Newman, wrote the play by asking people for their stories of their quilts. One of the women wrote the story line and the other one wrote the music. The first production took place in Denver, Colo., Damashek’s and Newman’s hometown.

“Quilters” is being performed in celebration of Iowa State’s 150th anniversary along with the play “Love and Honor” to be performed in February. “Quilters” is a play with a cast of all women, while “Love and Honor” is an entirely male cast.

Jane Cox, director of the play, said ISU Theatre tries to balance out the gender issue when choosing plays. This is why both “Quilters” and “Love and Honor” are being performed.

The cast of “Quilters,” who first performed Nov. 9, play multiple roles without changing their makeup and have only one costume change. The cast includes Kaytee Stearns, senior in performing arts, in the lead role of Sarah, and Tami White, Meghan Sigwarth, Kayla Kaufmann, Ellen Provorse, Janae Hohbein and Mariana Seda as the six daughters.

Q&A with Kaytee Stearns, who plays Sarah

AMUSE: What can you tell us about your character Sarah?

Kaytee Stearns: She’s a very strong woman who has been through a lot in her life. She did all she could to make sure her and her daughters could be happy and survive.

AMUSE: What made you decide to be a part of this production?

K.S.: I’m a theater major. I love musicals, I love to sing. That was the main reason I auditioned . I really wanted something that was smaller so that I could get to know everyone. We have all gotten so close, it’s like a family.

AMUSE: How much time have you put into this role outside of required practices?

K.S.: A lot between memorizing and having to go in and work on the songs. Before rehearsals we had music rehearsals every week to start learning the music.

AMUSE: What has been most challenging for you having such a big role in this production?

K.S.: It’s been really hard because we have rehearsals five nights a week and I work the other two nights. I like to have my own personal time and to have time to spend with my friends, so it’s hard.

AMUSE: How do the cast members get along?

K.S.: It was weird at first because there were three freshmen and four seniors. We are now like their older sisters, just like in the play. They come up to me in the hallway and call me Mom now.

AMUSE: What has been the most exciting part about the production and actually being able to perform in front of an audience?

K.S.: The first night was like heaven because we had just been performing for empty seats. You can feed off their energy. It brings a whole new element to the show. That’s when everything clicked.

Jane Cox

Director of “Quilters”

AMUSE:What can you tell us about the story of “Quilters?”

Jane Cox: It’s an inspiring story. There’s nothing real about it except for the emotions . the [cast members] have thought a lot more about what life was like for women who were here before us.

AMUSE: How can the audience relate to this play?

J.C.: A thing to remember when you think about a play that happened a long time ago is that people haven’t changed. If we went back 150 years ago and talked to the women, they would be doing different things but going through the same things.

AMUSE: How much time is put into practice for this production?

J.C.: We have had the general rehearsal schedule of three hours, five nights a week since the second week of September. We learned the music before that. As far as actresses go . that’s just rehearsal, they had to memorize their lines. The students have put in an enormous amount of time.

AMUSE: What has been the biggest challenge with this play?

J.C.: The biggest challenge has been that they have to change from one character to another very quickly. They have to run around like children and eventually change to a mother. That was a challenge to put together.

AMUSE: What’s your favorite part of the play?

J.C.: There is a part of the play where they sing about a land that will never grow old. Even today I think it’s hard to see a parent or grandparent grow old. It would be nice to live in a land that would never grow old.

AMUSE: What was the most exciting part about the opening?

J.C.: The most exciting thing is actually having an audience there that is responsive. They work harder. They have family and friends out there that they want to impress. It puts that little extra boost of energy in.

AMUSE: What was the audience response?

J.C.: The audience response was great. There were parts where they laughed where we wanted them to laugh. There were emotions and there were there for those too. The best response an audience can give is when there is a deep silence. You can feel that they are with you. Everyone is on the same page and feeling the same thing. It’s a really thrilling part and the actors were really feeling that.