WeGo Drama will take the community to 1920’s Tennessee with this week’s production of “Inherit the Wind.”

First performed in 1960, the play revolves around the battle between science and religion in the South.

“It’s about evolution. A school is charging a teacher who is teaching about evolution when he shouldn’t have,” sophomore tech crew member Alex Weaver said.  

The play will offer a thought provoking view on how law and social norms transformed the nation.

“I play Matthew Harrison Brady, he’s a prosecuting attorney arguing that Darwinism shouldn’t be taught in schools and everything in the Bible should be taken exactly as it’s written,” junior Max Smith said. “He’s based off of William Jennings Bryan. It’s a somewhat accurate portrayal, the whole play is based off the John Scopes Trial so I try my best to make sure I do it justice.”

With a theme of “character counts” for this school year “Inherit the Wind” was the perfect choice for WeGo Drama.

“It deals with the issue of standing up for your character, for what you believe in. It’s all about what happens when you stand up for what you believe in- the good and the bad,” director Mark Begovich said.

With the recent success of WeGo Drama pro through their selection in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland in August, students are making sure each performance is top notch.

“We carry that logo on our chests now, we carry the pin. We’re proudly representing the state (and) the country. It’s a great honor. And with that honor comes the responsibility of making sure everyone in the community knows what we’re doing. Previous classes have built up the program to where it is now, so people who have seen the shows in the past are expecting nothing but the best,” Smith said.

In addition to the play, the Illinois House of Representatives will recognize WeGo Drama for their selection to the Fringe Festival after Thursday night’s show. Representative Jeanne Ives will be present. WeGo Drama intends to “Pack the Play” to get as many people to Thursday’s show to see the award ceremony.

“It’s a great honor, they’re getting what they deserve. They’re just a wonderful group of students,” Begovich said.

Tickets for the show on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday cost $5 for students and $8 for adults. Shows are at 7 p.m.