Quilters: A Musical About More than Sewing

Pioneer women?  Sewing?  These might be among the first things to come to mind when you hear the word quilters. 

However, “Quilters”, a musical production of Hardin-Simmons University’s Theatre Department, is about so much more.  

The musical is an exploration into the struggles and challenges faced by early settlers; it is life and humanity and friendship and memories, bound together in the blocks of a giant quilt. 

“It’s storytelling.  It’s not a traditional musical, these seven women never leave the stage, and they play about fifty different characters,” said Dr. Victoria Spangler, visiting associate professor of theater at HSU and the musical’s director. “Honestly, it’s about how we go through our lives.  It’s about perseverance.  These women just keep on going—their devotion and their spirit of adventure.  I hope people will see this play and say, ‘That is so beautiful.’” 

“Quilters” follows seven women as they unfold each new block of a quilt, telling its story and reminiscing about times long past.   

Some blocks highlight the harsh reality of life—a death, a birth, a loved one lost in a blizzard—and as the quilt comes together, each piece takes on new meaning. 

Also appearing in the musical is the work of the Abilene Quilter’s Guild and Shaula Patton with the Feathered Star, quilt shop located in Clyde. These women undertook the task of quilting and constructing duplicate sets of giant 32-inch blocks, sewing them into a large and beautiful quilt which appears during the production. 

The second weekend of “Quilters” begins October 8 and runs through October 11. Performances are nightly at 7:30 p.m. except for a 2:00 p.m. performance on October 11. All performances are open to the public at HSU’s Van Ellis Theatre.  General admission tickets are are $8, and $5 for students, senior adults, and military (free for HSU students, faculty, and staff).  

For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit www.hsutx.edu/tickets or call 325-670-1405.