Sense and Sensibility by Kate Hamill

Adapted from the novel by Jane Austen

THE STORY

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, adapted for the stage by Kate Hamill, follows the Dashwood sisters—practical Elinor and passionate Marianne—after their father’s death leaves the family financially vulnerable and forces them to leave their home. As they enter society, both sisters experience the thrill and heartbreak of love: Elinor quietly falls for the honorable Edward Ferrars, while Marianne is swept away by the charming but unreliable John Willoughby. Through unexpected twists, social pressures, and personal trials, the sisters discover the balance between reason and emotion. Ultimately, they learn that true love requires both sense and sensibility—head and heart in harmony.

Resources and Materials

Below is a link to an interview with Kate Hamill:

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/09/16/guthrie-offers-young-womans-view-of-sensibility

"The Cult of Sensibility"

The "cult of sensibility" refers to a mid-18th-century cultural movement that emphasized heightened emotional responses and sensitivity to feelings, particularly in literature and art. It was a reaction against the rationalism of the Age of Enlightenment, and celebrated spontaneous displays of emotion, empathy, and compassion. Key figures associated with this movement include Samuel Richardson, Rousseau, and Goethe, and it heavily influenced the development of sentimental and Romantic literature. 

The Cult of Sensibility

Making Sense and Sensibility: The Truth Behind the Title

Kate Hamill’s Sense and Sensibility invites us into a world where the steady “ba-bum” of the heart pulses beneath society’s expectations—where love demands both courage and care. At its core lies a delicate tightrope: the balance between restraint and passion. Elinor and Marianne walk that line in their own ways—one guided by steadiness, the other by feeling.

I fell in love with this adaptation when I first saw it at Portland Center Stage in 2019, thanks to its powerful ensemble storytelling. This approach stretched my actors and me in new and demanding ways, requiring trust, precision, and a willingness to surrender individual spotlight for collective story. 

I have watched these young artists grow not only as performers but as collaborators. Their generosity and trust in the vision have shaped this production. Directing this piece has reminded me why we gather in the theatre: to share stories that reveal our humanity.

Theatre is alchemy. A script becomes a heartbeat, a sound becomes a spell, and a group of individuals becomes an ensemble—but only through the crucible of fire: late nights, doubts, daring, and the relentless showing up. Hours spent making moving chairs and windows look effortless and fluid. And it is never done alone. I am profoundly grateful to those who stepped into the fire with me—our students, designers, collaborators, families, and the Grant community who continually believe in the magic of this work.

To my extraordinary cast: thank you for your courage, curiosity, and commitment. You leapt into unfamiliar territory and let it transform you. To Marjorie and Judith: you spin the abstract into the tangible. And to Jade, Lizzy, and Shu—our Stage Management Team—your consistency, humor, and snacks kept us grounded when the pressure rose. 

To our graduating seniors—Sonja, Logan, Cora, Lexi, Hadley, Alexos, Mac, Evan, and our tech seniors, Delaney, Cedar, and Eleanor —we will miss you more than words can hold. Your passion, humor, and artistry have shaped this department. The world awaits you—go set it alight! 

Thank you all for everything. It is the greatest gift of my life to do the work I was called to do. 

Enjoy the show. May it remind you of the magic we make when we create together.

— Trisha Todd

THANK YOU…

A huge thank you to Maggie Vera and Teri Augusty; none of us could do what we do without the two of you! Thanks once again to Bill Anderson and The Oregon Ballet Theatre for your ongoing help and support! Thank you, Alex Luboff, our Woodworking teacher, and Ben at Postal Annex on Broadway, for printing our programs. 

Thanks to all our wonderful parents for their help and support throughout the process, and for understanding the time and energy theatre requires, as well as for supporting your children through it. A special shout-out to Monica Donohue, Debi Mettler, Bianca Youngers, and Mariel Acevedo Diaz. A heartfelt thank you to Deanna Schindler-Ord for organizing all the snacks, meals, flowers, QR codes, etc, for our parents. 

Judith, doing this work with you for over 20 years—nearly 20 shows and countless rehearsals (so many ending in laughter)—has reminded me how essential it is to have a creative partner who elevates the work. Your artistry, your wild and wonderful stories, and your brilliant imagination are the heartbeat at the center of what we create together.

Marjorie, you are the rock and the steady foundation of the performing arts at Grant. Your design work, expertise, mentorship, and the care you pour into your students have elevated this program, helping make Grant a true destination for PPS students seeking a home in the arts.

Clara Baker! Musician, songwriter, producer, and former Grant student! What a gift to be able to work with you again after so many years. Thank you for your beautiful musical remake of Counting Crows' “Colorblind” and Sara McLachlan's iconic “Fumbling Towards Ecstasy”. These two songs and Clara's composition were the early inspirations for the production you see before you.  

Thank you again to my colleagues in the performing arts; your dedication to the work makes Grant truly unique. A special thank you to Jessica Murray, who choreographed the final waltz, assisted with makeup, and teaches the Stagecraft and Advanced Tech classes. Sharing an office with you and having you one door down has been a godsend. Thanks to Chantiel and Michelle in the main office who help me with something every day. And, of course, thanks to Mr. McGee for his support of the arts.

And as always, thanks to my partner, Rebecca, for all your support through the long weeks of rehearsals, and my kids, Stryder, Rhone, and Nate. I love you all! You inspire me every day to be better.