Theatre@Chowan will present three performances of Kathryn Schultz Millers’ play, A Thousand Cranes, on November 20, 21, and 22, 2015.

A Thousand Cranes tells the story of a real little girl who lived in Japan from 1943 to 1955. Sadako Sasaki was two years old when the atomic bomb fell on Hiroshima. Now twelve years old, she loves to run races with her best friend, Kenji. One day, while running, she becomes dizzy and falls. She is taken to the hospital and diagnosed with leukemia. While in the hospital, Kenji brings her a gift—a simple paper crane. He tells her about an old Japanese legend that if someone folds one thousand paper cranes, the gods will grant them a wish. With her life on the line, Sadako races against time to reach her goal. A Thousand Cranes is a thoughtful and engaging play that is a testament to a courageous young girl. It is also a call for peace in the world.

The four-member cast is comprised of Chowan University students. The cast includes Joshua Toliver (Senior; Chesapeake, VA), Chelsea Murphy (Sophomore; Connelly Springs, NC), Jessica Vallejos (Junior; Chesapeake, VA), and Quanteria Wilson (Junior; Mooresboro, NC). The production is directed by Steven Harders, Associate Professor of Speech & Drama at Chowan. Performances are Friday, November 20, and Saturday, November 21 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, November 22 at 2:30 p.m. Performances take place in Turner Auditorium in the McDowell Columns Building on the Chowan University campus. Admission is $2. All funds raised will benefit the local Communities in Schools program. Patrons are encouraged to arrive early