Elizabethtown College’s fall play Empowered: How One Girl Scout Nearly Destroyed the World’s Economy, written by Don Zolidis, wrapped its run in the Tempest Theatre after two weekends of performances that mixed comedy, satire and collaboration.
The show follows Amaryllis, a Girl Scout determined to win her troop’s cookie-selling contest at any cost. To get ahead, she turns to corporate finance for inspiration, creating an outlandish business model that includes faking illnesses, franchising her tactics and even offering cookie loans. What begins as an innocent competition quickly becomes a sharp and funny look at ambition, greed and the cost of success.
The production challenged both cast and crew to balance over-the-top humor with timing and precision. Assistant stage manager, senior Michael Ickes, said the show’s unique stage layout added a creative twist for everyone involved.
“It’s been a little more unique with how we set it up,” Ickes said, referring to the thrust stage configuration. “That’s always been very fun to work with me. And it gives us more opportunities to interact with the audience.”
Ickes also took on several technical projects that pushed his skills behind the scenes. “For this one I specifically worked on two interesting projects,” he said, referencing two sequences that involved water effects—one using static sprayers and another performed live by an actor. “Those are really fun projects and it’s me being able to apply what I’ve learned to theater, so I’ve enjoyed that quite a bit.”
The result was a production that blended satire with spectacle. Director Kristin Wolanin guided the cast through the fast-paced script, emphasizing both character work and comedic rhythm. For many students, Empowered was a space to try new things and build lasting connections.
Actor Rylee Gandy said joining the cast as a first-year student made her feel immediately at home. “Well, this is my first year at Etown theater, and it was such a welcoming experience,” she said. “Everybody’s so nice. I love everyone here. All the upperclassmen are awesome.”
Gandy said that sense of community shaped the entire production. “Everyone’s just so supportive, and we all feel so close together,” she said. “We’ve worked really hard on this production, and it’s probably one of my most favorite ones I’ve done so far.”
For junior Claire Grau, the show’s sense of humor and camaraderie stood out. “I feel like we’ve all really bonded as a cast,” Grau said. “We’ve just put on a really silly show that everyone, no matter their age, can get a laugh at.”
The play’s humor, rooted in exaggeration and quick dialogue, also challenged the actors to stretch their range. Sophomore Nate Kubasko played three separate characters in the production and said developing each role brought both difficulty and satisfaction. “Personally, I’m really happy with the characterization I’ve done between characters,” he said. “They’re very different from each other, and so trying to make sure that they are all distinct has been a challenge, but they’re very exciting obstacles to overcome.”
Though Empowered has closed, those involved said the experience left a lasting impact. From the technical coordination to the shared energy on stage, the production brought together students across disciplines and experience levels.
The play’s combination of satire and teamwork reflected what Etown theater does best: telling engaging stories while giving students the chance to learn and grow through performance.In the end, Empowered lived up to its name, not just as a title, but as a process. The show offered its cast and crew a reminder that the most meaningful victories don’t always happen on stage, built on effort, laughter and a sense of community.
