Love, Letters and Life Lessons

Banner with purple text portrait of Hannah Greene. Graphic by Kat Reichert

Hannah Greene (as Sugar) answering questions on a laptop as grayed-out letter writers David Valentine, Clark Milstead and Fatima Conde look on. Photo courtesy of Maya Salganek
Maya Salganek
Hannah Greene (as Sugar) answers questions on her laptop as letter writers David Valentine, Clark Milstead and Fatima Conde look on.

In November, the UAF Department of Theatre and Film brought Cheryl Strayed鈥檚 Tiny Beautiful Things to life in a moving production adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos. Directed by Rachel Blackwell, the show ran from November 15 to 24 in the Lee H. Salisbury Lab Theatre, opening to a full house and inviting audiences into a world of raw emotion and cathartic storytelling.

Based on Strayed鈥檚 best-selling book, Tiny Beautiful Things follows Sugar, an anonymous advice columnist played by senior Hannah Greene, as she navigates letters from readers grappling with heartbreak, trauma, and loss. Sugar offers advice through the lens of her own lived experiences, uncovering themes of resilience, love, and human connection. The play鈥檚 serious themes鈥攊ncluding abuse, addiction, and grief鈥攚ere handled with emotional honesty, creating a shared space for reflection, understanding, and healing.

Tickets were free for UAF students with a Polar Express card as part of the new Arctic Art Pass initiative.

Carter DeJong of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner praised the production after its opening weekend, urging audiences to attend the second: 鈥淲hatever your plans are this weekend, cancel them 鈥 unless it involves attending one of Theatre UAF鈥檚 performances of Tiny Beautiful Things.鈥

Grayed-out letter writer Clark Milstead looks for advice from Sugar. Photo courtesy of Maya Salganek
Maya Salganek
Letter writer Clark Milstead looks for advice from Sugar, played by Hannah Greene

 

Sugar, played by Hannah Greene, responds to a request for advice from letter writer Fatima Conde. Photo courtesy of Maya Salganek
Maya Salganek
Sugar offers advice to letter writer Fatima Conde.

Hannah Greene鈥檚 portrayal of Sugar captivated audiences, with DeJong highlighting her ability to be 鈥渟imultaneously humorous and powerfully emotional,鈥 even when addressing difficult topics. Greene carried the 75-minute production with no intermission, drawing audiences into Sugar鈥檚 deeply personal journey. Reflecting on her experience, Greene shared, 鈥淧eople will walk away feeling feelings, and that鈥檚 good. You want people to do that and to be thinking about their own lives and connecting to experiences on the stage.鈥

The role challenged Greene with its deeply emotional content and extensive monologues. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of very large monologues in this show, especially for Sugar, and a lot of them are very emotionally driven,鈥 she said. Her commitment to bringing Sugar鈥檚 humanity to life contributed to the show鈥檚 resonance with audiences.

The supporting cast included David Valentine, Fatima Conde, and Clark Milstead as the letter writers who brought Sugar鈥檚 advice columns to life. Valentine鈥檚 鈥減erfect deadpan鈥 delivery added depth to the dialogue, while Conde, making her UAF stage debut, brought earnest vulnerability to her role. In an interview with CBS, she reflected on the experience, saying, 鈥淥riginally, I am a dancer so I am used to being on stage. This is my first time really doing a play and really involved with the theatre scene instead of being behind the scenes. I'm actually on stage this time." She also expressed her gratitude to the cast and crew, highlighting how their support made the experience both enjoyable and fulfilling.

The production鈥檚 technical elements further enriched the intimate atmosphere. Set designer Kade Mendelowitz created a nostalgic late-1990s apartment, while the small Salisbury Lab Theatre offered an up-close connection with the cast. 鈥Tiny Beautiful Things features only four actors, but that鈥檚 really all you need for a story like this that focuses on the quality of dialogue above anything else,鈥 DeJong observed.

For many involved, the production was deeply personal. Director Rachel Blackwell, who has long been a part of the Fairbanks theatre community, shared her hopes for the production in the playbill: 鈥淚 hope that audiences will walk away feeling more connected to the human experience and the world around them. People need to know they are not alone in this world and not alone in their struggles. This play will remind you of your humanity and the importance of connecting with others.鈥 Her vision of fostering connection and healing resonated throughout the production.

This heartwarming production underscored the power of theatre as a medium for exploring complex emotions and creating shared experiences.

 

Looking Ahead

 
 

The UAF Department of Theatre and Film is now preparing for its next production. Auditions for STRIKE! A Musical and Dramatic Revue will be held on January 18, 2025. Directed by Flyn Ludington, STRIKE! explores the struggles and triumphs of the working class through a curated selection of songs, scenes, and monologues spanning the 20th century.

Opportunities are open for actors and singers, and those interested can reserve an audition slot by visiting the UAF Theatre and Film Auditions page or .

Your support helps fund more impactful productions like Tiny Beautiful Things, allowing the Theatre and Film program to continue offering meaningful, transformative experiences for both performers and audiences. Donate today to help us bring even more powerful stories to life.