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Best-selling book Nickeled and Dimed takes a dramatic turn on Ole stage

By Clare Kennedy '07
February 20, 2005

St. Olaf College Theatre proudly presented Nickeled and Dimed, written by Joan Holden and directed by St. Olaf Artist-in-Residence Dona Werner Freeman.

The play, which was staged at the Guthrie Lab in Minneapolis last year, is based on the best-selling book Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America, by Barbara Ehrenreich.

The play follows journalist Ehreneich's account of her personal journey into the world of the working poor. From Florida to Maine to Minnesota, from waitressing to house cleaning to working minimum wage retail, Ehrenreich spent six months undercover exploring the financial, moral and spiritual challenges confronting America's low-wage work force.

The production demanded eight to 12 hours of daily labor from the production class throughout the January Interim and is unique in the social awareness it has provoked. Students shadowed those support workers who keep St. Olaf running smoothly, such as the custodial and cooking staff -- the people who are often "unseen."

Director Werner Freeman also used innovative staging to further highlight the contributions of the workers behind the scenes. The backstage sound and technical staff worked from the audience area, so crew members were visible while they worked.

Ehrenreich's book also has generated campus-wide interest and debate about the welfare of the unseen working class. The New York Times best seller has become a required text in many classes and was spotlighted in Lilly Foundation-sponsored book group for staff members.

Likewise, several classes attended the play as part of their coursework and a block of tickets was set aside for the Globalization and Social Responsibility Conference.

Professor of History Jim Farrell led a post-show discussion following the Feb. 17 performance.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.