In honor of Women’s History Week, members of the NIU Theater Department will present the play “Mother Hicks” on March 24 and 25.

It will be in Cavan Auditorium, located in room 126 Gabel Hall. Performance time for both shows is 8 p.m., and admission is free.

“Mother Hicks” was chosen for Women’s History Week because the play centers on the lives of two women, Mother Hicks and Girl. The play takes place in 1935 during The Great Depression in a Southern Illinois town called Ware.

The play follows the life of Girl, a 13-year-old tomboy in search of family and love. Girl’s search causes her to encounter Mother Hicks, Ware’s so-called town witch.

“Mother Hicks” director Kathy Drum feels that the most important aspect of the play is the communication processes of the characters. Drum said one line from the play that best exemplifies her idea is, “Mother Hicks is a witch people say.” The townspeople talk about the possibility of Mother Hicks being a witch so much, that they eventually talk themselves into believing it.

Freshman Karen Gannon, who portrays Girl, said “Mother Hicks” is “very powerful with a strong message to offer the audience.” Assistant director, sophomore Todd Pannier, agreed with Gannon and added that he thinks the play is significant because it illustrates “the fears and prejudice that came out of the depression.”