Students stage story of John Price's rescue

by THELMA MORRIS

Kendal Publicity Plugs

Residents, neighbors and parents filled the Kendal at Oberlin auditorium on Tuesday, Oct. 6 for "The Rescue of John Price," performed (with effective stage settings and costumes) by students from Barbara Enos's fourth grade class at Prospect School.

The stars of the play? The Students of Room 111, of course -- too many dedicated and talented folks to name individual names, but here are the parts they played: Oberlin and Wellington townsfolk, college teachers and students, some of whom risked their freedom when they went to Price's rescue. Even the "bad guys" played their parts well: the slave catcher, slave owner, sheriff and marshal, all had the Fugitive Slave Law on their side. "Present day children" set the scene; newsies shouted out headlines from the Cleveland trial, at which two rescuers, repeating their belief that "all men are created equal," were sentenced by the judge for breaking US law. Their cases were subsequently thrown out, and they received a hero's welcome on returning home. In the stirring conclusion, cast and audience joined in a rousing "When the Saints Go Marching In," a tribute indeed to the "saints" of Oberlin.

The play was written by Enos, in collaboration with her students, and was based on "Feast of Felons" by Oberlin's legendary Bill Long. Enos is this year's recipient of Oberlin Heritage Center's Community Teacher Award. The Oberlin Heritage Center sponsored the show at Kendal in addition to the well-received performance at Prospect School that same evening.