Colrain students bring children’s book to life with outdoor performance

COLRAIN — Colrain Central School third- and fourth-graders recently immersed themselves in a fantastical tale about toads, eagles and the American flag being raised for the first time outside a Catamount Hill schoolhouse.

The students, in an outdoor performance, acted out “The Afternoon Archaeologists’ Club,” a production inspired by a children’s book written by Marilyn Shea, who is the mother of Colrain Central School third-grade teacher Suzanne Taylor. The performance was a collaboration with Piti Theatre Co.

According to Piti Theatre co-founder Jonathan Mirin, the performance of “The Afternoon Archaeologists’ Club” is part of the touring troupe’s “Your Town” programming, which draws on local history to engage new audiences. Some students from previous residencies in Colrain have gone on to participate in Piti’s theater program for teens.

Mirin said the theater residency is supported by funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s STARS program and the Colrain Cultural Council. Originally scheduled for June 2020, the series of in-school rehearsals and performances was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but outdoor rehearsals and performances were possible this year.