Written by Lyla Lopez
Have you ever wanted to know more about the students behind your favorite Harper Joy productions? You’re in luck! Ahead of this week’s premiere of Doubt: A Parable, I had the opportunity to talk to three seniors involved in this spectacle of a performance.
Let’s meet our cast of characters!
First up is David Kretz! David is from Lynnwood, Washington, and will be graduating with degrees in Theater and Film and Media Studies, as well as a minor in Music. He is a huge fan of football and baseball, and actually played lots of sports before transitioning over into theater and singing. After graduation, David will be auditioning for American Idol.
Next up, we have Paige Yanny! Paige is a Theater major and Dance minor from Minneapolis, Minnesota. At Whitman, she also works as a tour guide for the Admissions Office. “I definitely think giving campus tours is a theatrical task!” she says.
Last but not least, we have Avery Ehlers! Avery is from San Diego, California and will be graduating as a Theater major. She has been doing technical theater for the past seven years, and has been heavily involved in Harper Joy productions since her first year at Whitman—most recently, she was the scenic designer for God of Carnage! To see some more of Avery’s work, check out averyehlers.com.
Now, on to the interviews!
David and Paige are both actors in Doubt. When asked about their roles, they had this to say…
David Kretz: I play Father Flynn in Doubt, which has been a very challenging role for me, as it is different from what I’ve done in the past. Doubt is a play surrounding a Catholic school in the 1960s, and it focuses a lot on some alleged ongoings between this priest [Father Flynn] and a boy at the school. Trying to get myself into the headspace of a character like that has been very difficult while also ensuring to maintain innocence throughout the show.
Paige Yanny: I play Sister Aloysius in Doubt. This will be my final role at Whitman, which is definitely bittersweet. She is the principal of the Catholic School in which the play takes place and is insistent that everything be run in a very traditional way. She does not tolerate laziness or ineptitude. While her ways can seem harsh, she is truly someone to be admired. She holds herself and others to very high standards so that the students in the school can be as safe and well-educated as possible. If that means the children don’t get to sing Frosty the Snowman in the Christmas Pageant, then so be it.
Avery, on the other hand, is doing some amazing work behind-the-scenes! “I am the scenic designer for Doubt,” she says. “This means that I have completely designed the set–the walls, the floor, the seating arrangements, the furniture.” Even the choice of teapot used in the show goes back to her!
David and Avery are also using Doubt as their senior thesis. This has required them to do extra research and preparation for the show.
David Kretz: I have put in a tremendous amount of effort into researching this role, the time period, and the job of a Catholic priest. As someone who is not Catholic, I spent a lot of time going to different churches and attending mass to get a feel for how different priests give their sermons and interact with their congregations. I’ve been figuring out how to approach the part in the most authentic way possible while ensuring that the traditions and theatrical nature of Catholicism remain at the forefront. Working closely with Professor Christopher Petit, I have learned so much about myself as an actor, as well as different ways to attack a role and how to determine what works and what doesn’t for each scene. I think it’s amazing to see a finished product onstage and think about how many hours went in behind-the-scenes to bring that show to life. I love putting in the work to put out the best possible product that I can, so working on this play has been incredibly rewarding for me.
Avery Ehlers: In regards to my senior thesis, Doubt has been my first fully realized independent scenic design. This includes all of the industry-standard drafting, renderings, and model building. This thesis is essentially a replication of the work I would be doing in the industry.
Ultimately, Doubt would not be the show that it is without Avery, David, or Paige. Thanks to their dedication, this play’s ever-important story will be told at Whitman College this coming weekend. Make sure to grab your tickets now, and be sure to join us for a night of scenery, entertainment, intrigue, and reflection.
If that still wasn’t enough to convince you, hear it from the students themselves!
Lyla: Why do you think people should come and see this show?
Avery: People should come see Doubt because it showcases the amazing work that our theater department produces. Every student and faculty member involved in Doubt has made it a truly phenomenal performance that is simply beautiful to look at.
David: I think this show deals with some heavy subject matter that most people are uncomfortable discussing. I also think the play is written in a way that brilliantly navigates such a deep and troubling topic. Myself and my fellow actors have put in a lot of work to bring this world to life, and we hope that many people will come see it apply some of the messages and themes to their own lives.
Paige: This show was written in the early 2000s and is set in 1964. It still resonates shockingly well in 2025. I am interested to see what exactly the audience gets out of this show, especially in our political and social climate right now. The show is wonderfully dense with themes of power dynamics, gender inequality, and morality. Every time I read through the script I discover a new, interesting tidbit. I hope the audience is able to have similar revelations watching it–and I definitely hope they are left with some doubts.