The Catch
Katie Grove has been recruited to the exclusive private Coolidge Academy because of her incredible talent as an ace softball pitcher. But not everyone is happy to have her onboard, especially a prima donna pitcher who has no intentions of allowing Katie to replace her. Katie soon discovers the Academy’s athletics program is a front for an illegal gambling ring, headed by the most popular guy on campus and his two bumbling friends. Katie must work through a series of issues that will challenge her ideas about love, sportsmanship, and integrity. The Lockers, who come to life when the real students have left the halls, add their own personal insight, especially about the student assigned to each of them. Several unseen characters, including a sports announcer, the principal, and school secretary, add plenty of humor with their public address announcements.
Productions
Behind The Scenes
PLAYWRIGHT JOHN W. RUTHERFORD
TALKS ABOUT “THE CATCH”
Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS PLAY?
A: This was a class project. I was teaching a playwriting class with a local playwright, Mrs. Jan Radcliff, and we decided that it might be fun to have the entire class involved in the process of writing a full-length play.
Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART OR LINE IN THE PLAY? WHY?
A: I love the Lockers. I think they provide humorous insight and commentary and provide for a creative theatrical device. I also like all of the voiceovers as they provide very creative approach to covering scene changes and help to keep the story moving along.
Q: WHERE DID THE CHARACTERS COME FROM? ARE THEY BASED ON PEOPLE YOU KNOW?
A: The characters are a combination of quality and traits of students you might find in any high school across the United States of America. While they have some very recognizable traits, they are also very real and authentic.
Q: WHAT DID YOU TRY TO ACHIEVE WITH THIS PLAY?
A: To create a quality play that was suitable to high school actors, with an interesting premise and an opportunity for both humor and drama.
Q: DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?
A: This was a definite collaboration between Mrs. Jan Radcliff, my playwriting students, and myself. In the end I am most proud that we were all able to work together to construct a quality piece of theatre.