Celebrate Aiken by learning about 'Secret of Telfair Inn'

Celebrate Aiken presents the secret of Telfair Inn in a children-only event. Everything from the writing of the screenplay to the directing of the performance and even the catering is being done by local youths.

High school and middle school students from all over Aiken have joined the Celebrate Aiken committee led by June Murff and Betty Ryberg to end the first quarter's events with a day of learning and fun.

On Sunday, March 28 at 3 p.m. at the Aiken County Historical Museum, the Aiken Community Playhouse Youth Wing will present the "The Secret of Telfair Inn," an original screenplay written by Aiken Prep senior Tayler Rodgers based on the book written by Idella Bodie in 1971.

The book has kept children whispering for several generations as they drive past the historic Willcox Inn on Colleton Avenue, which serves as the setting to this children's mystery. The book takes readers on a journey through Aiken and winds through its history, and the play will follow suit.

When Rodgers, writer, actor and assistant director, first heard the idea presented to the Aiken Community Playhouse's Youth Wing about creating an original screenplay and producing it as a part of the Celebrate Aiken 175th anniversary, his wheels started spinning.

"When the question was posed to the Youth Wing of whether or not we were interested in the project, I immediately thought it would be cool if I contributed to the writing of the screenplay," said Rodgers. "I went to Jim Anderson (Youth Wing leader) afterward and asked if I could write it. I have always loved writing and wanted to expand my abilities."

Rodgers tediously read the book, underlining dialogue he felt important to the overall story. The writing process came natural to the young author, but he did encounter a challenge of sorts.

"The real challenge for me was to write for the time constraint," Rodgers said.

Rodgers and several other cast members, including director Anna Brisbin, read "The Secret of Telfair Inn" in the fifth grade and had a chance to meet Bodie for an autograph.

"When I read the book in the fifth grade, I never imagined I'd end up directing a play version of it a few years later," said Brisbin, a high school senior.

"The Secret of Telfair Inn" is Brisbin's first role as the director, and she has a vision for the audience.

"I hope the children learn a bit more about Aiken," said Brisbin. "I hope it makes Aiken more interesting to them. I hear a lot of kids say Aiken is boring, but it is not."

The event is for youth ages 7 to 12. Following the performance, a reception will be held in the museum's ballroom with catering by the Aiken High School culinary program. Attendees will have the chance to meet Bodie and receive a complimentary autographed copy of the book.

"What we want to do is make magic of the people who bring things to life like Idella Bodie, the Youth Wing, Aiken High School Culinary Arts and the audience," said Ryberg, event co-chair.

In addition to bringing characters from the book to life, photographs of locations mentioned in the book have been prepared to share with the children so they can recognize the locations.

"This is an age where everyone knows about a book through a film or a play but may not have read the book," said Ryberg. "We felt it was important for each child to go home with their own copy of the book after experiencing the scenes in the book."

Attendance is limited to the first 90, and admission is $3. The performance is approximately 45 minutes.

Parents are invited to the reception; however, they are asked to leave their children for the performance due to space constraints. A chaperon/teacher will be assigned to a group of 10 children during the performance.

Tickets are available by contacting the Aiken Community Playhouse box office at 648-1438.

Contact Rachel Johnson at rjohnson@aikenstandard.com.

Want to Go?

What? "The Secret of Telfair Inn"

Who? Children ages 7-12

When? Sunday, March 28 at 3 p.m.

Where? Aiken County Historical Museum

Cost: $3