The Little Prince
A childhood tale brought to life by AU Theatre
April 1, 2022
a rehera
The Ashland University Theatre Department is debuting its latest production, The Little Prince, under new direction and with an enthusiastic cast.
The play will be directed by Jeffrey Haffner, an adjunct instructor of theatre at AU, and this will be the first time Haffner takes up the role of directing at the university. Haffner has directed different productions at previous locations as well.
“This is the first time I’ve directed at AU, although for the last few years, I’ve directed at Hiram College,” Haffner explained. “I did a show this fall called The Secret in the Wings and then I was directing a play that didn’t open because of the pandemic called Angels in America.”
Haffner, who is primarily a professional actor, described how transitioning between the role of actor and director offers valuable skills when directing here at AU.
“I’ve enjoyed the process the past few years,” Haffner reflected. “I think I was always an actor who had good staging ideas and ideas on how to solve challenges so as I’ve worked with Hiram I’m getting more comfortable here. I’ve learned a lot on how to work and communicate with the cast.”
Regarding the cast, the upcoming production of The Little Prince features a wide array of talent including Tiffany Sims, a junior triple major in theatre, political science and religion, who will star as the titular character. Sims took the time to discuss her role in the play as well.
“I love this character,” Sims remarked. “He is a little boy who is from another planet and he’s got an old soul. He represents that childlike innocence, vulnerability and willingness to express emotion and he looks at life with wonder and excitement. He sees things in all of their newness while learning a lot about love, friendship and the hardships of life and finding the beauty about life at the same time.”
Sims also took the time to describe how the cast is working overall, stating, “Working with the cast has been awesome. They’re giving it their all to these characters. It is a children’s show so some of the characters are supposed to be more dramatic and funny and everyone is just putting so much work into their characters.”
As for the themes The Little Prince conveys, Dr. Teresa Durbin-Ames, artistic director and associate professor of theatre at AU, took the time to explain by citing a line in the play that Haffner also feels expresses the play’s theme.
“One sees clearly only with the heart, anything essential is invisible to the eyes,” Durbin-Ames recited. “That, for [Haffner], is what this play is about. We have to know, feel and see things through the heart because our eyes could deceive us in that way.”
Durbin-Ames also took the time to speak about why anyone interested in seeing the performance should go out and do so, stating, “It’s a nice little escape and a thoughtful production just to make you think at the end of the day. It’s running 80 minutes, so it’s a nice evening and a good study break for this time of year. We are back in the studio for the first time since COVID-19. To go back to that intimate 70 seat space is exciting for us.”