The Durango Arts Center, in collaboration with Fort Lewis College’s theatre department, is putting on a production for the local community.  “All My Sons” opens Friday evening at 7:30 p.m.

This production, much like all theatre, has helped to bring the community together, Mona Wood-Patterson, the director of the production, said.

“Theatre encourages to come together as humans and share an experience,” Wood-Patterson said.

Wood-Patterson has taught and directed productions for 30 years. Before coming to Durango, she taught at Florida State University, she said.

Wood-Patterson has directed and led workshops in multiple countries and has directed close to 125 plays, she said.

When the community is presented a good screenplay and it is partnered with a communal interest in theatre, it can have a profound impact that brings a community together, Wood-Patterson said.  

“What draws me to it is the incredible writing and the theme of social versus individual responsibility,” she said.

Auditions were the first week of school, and rehearsal began on Sept. 8.

There are seven FLC students as well as seven student technical theatre personnel, she said.

Dennis Elkins, theatre department chair at FLC, plays the lead, he said. His wife is played by local actress and psychologist, Dolores Mazurkewicz, he said.

The priority casting was made to college students. Auditions were open to all students at FLC, Elkins said.

There is one Durango community member playing the mother and one playing a little boy, he said.

The production crew has been spreading the word and raising awareness of the production, he said.

Opening night is Friday at 7:30p.m., he said.