Historic courtroom adds to allure of Andromeda’s To Kill a Mockingbird

Douglas Hoy may have the best seat in the house for Andromeda Community Theatre’s next production. Hoy plays the role of the judge in the troupe’s adaptation of the timeless classic, To Kill a Mockingbird, which debuts Thursday, June 4 in the Museum at Courthouse Square.
From behind the bench, Hoy will look out upon the entire former Eaton County Circuit Courtroom.
“I am biased, but I just think it’s a cool venue to do this,” Hoy said. “I’ve always loved the old courtroom. As our group was discussing our next production, we thought this would be a great place to do a play.”
The Andromeda Community Theatre board decided on To Kill a Mockingbird, dramatized by Christopher Sergel from the book by Harper Lee. The play is a glimpse of the racially charged south during the 1930s as told through the eyes of Scout, whose father, Atticus is a lawyer defending a black man wrongfully accused of a grave crime.
Much of the play takes place in a courtroom, making Courthouse Square a perfect, yet challenging place to bring the play to life.
“As far as the court scene itself, being the in the historic courtroom adds so much,” Hoy said. “The audience will really enjoy it.”
Half the play, however, takes place outside the courtroom, tasking director Heather Hipkiss with setting the scene in creative ways.
“Heather has a tremendous amount of experience that she can fall back on,” Hoy said. “She has some things planned with the use of lighting that will set the scene.”
Kalli Dempsey plays Jean Louise Finch, the adult version of Scout who serves as the narrator of the play, taking the audience on a journey through the memories of such an important event in her life.
“This is such an incredible experience,” Dempsey said. “The Courthouse Museum in Charlotte is a wonderful resource that is not utilized enough by our community. I am in awe every single time I walk into that courtroom. I am excited that the audience will be able to have the same experience.”
Tickets for To Kill a Mockingbird can be purchased online at www.andromedaplayers.org. Performances are set for Thursday, June 4 and Friday, June 5 at 7 p.m.; Friday, June 12 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 13 at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 14 at 2 p.m. Tickets will also be available at the door, though seating is limited.