Âé¶čĆźÀÉ

Popcorn Falls

03/21/2025

Âé¶čĆźÀÉ's spring play, "Popcorn Falls"

A Hilarious Journey of Transformation and Community

Dr. Melissa Friesen, Mary Nord and Joseph Ignat endowed chair in theatre at Âé¶čĆźÀÉ University, will direct Bluffton’s spring play, “Popcorn Falls.”

“Popcorn Falls” by James Hindman is a hilarious comedy set in the struggling town of Popcorn Falls, whose main attraction, a waterfall, has dried up due to a neighboring town's decision to cut off its water supply. With the town facing financial ruin, the newly elected mayor has an idea: the townspeople will rally together to produce a play which could save the town.

“The original version of ‘Popcorn Falls’ had just two actors playing all the roles, but we’ve taken a different approach with eight actors, allowing for even more character transformations and physical comedy,” said Friesen. “The energy in the room is electric, and there’s something incredibly fun about seeing actors slip into different characters, sometimes back to back, in the same scene.”

Friesen is particularly excited about the involvement of both seasoned performers and new talent. 

“We have a mix of veteran Bluffton actors who bring experience and creativity to the stage, and we’ve also welcomed some fresh faces to the team, which always adds a new dynamic to the process,” said Friesen.

There are moments in the show where actors engage the crowd directly, creating an immersive atmosphere. 

“There are a couple of moments where actors walk offstage through the audience, such as during a town hall meeting-style scene,” said Friesen. “We want the audience to feel like they’re part of the community of Popcorn Falls, enjoying the chaos as it unfolds on stage,” said Friesen.

The play also features a creative, minimalistic set design that allows for quick transformations.

“The play’s ethos is all about transformation, whether it’s actors morphing into different characters or set pieces and props changing before the audience’s eyes,” said Friesen. “It’s all done in plain sight, adding to the fun and the sense of spontaneity.”

One of the most exciting elements of “Popcorn Falls” is the challenge of actors playing multiple roles. 

“Actors have to transform not just in terms of costume but also in terms of their physicality and energy,” said Friesen. “For instance, one actor might play a one-armed man, then switch to a character of a completely different gender or age. The actors are really showcasing their versatility, and it’s an incredible challenge.”

Performances of “Popcorn Falls” will take place at 7:30 p.m. April 3-5 and at 2:30 p.m. April 6 in College Hall’s Ramseyer Auditorium. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for senior citizens, Bluffton faculty and staff and non-Bluffton students. Bluffton University students can enjoy the play for free. Tickets can be purchased or reserved at