Award-Winning Playwright Weighs in on “Champion”

Dr. Joanna H. Kraus’ “Champion” is a coming-of-age story with a unique water polo setting. The script follows the story of Robin, a young girl who joins a water polo team. Robin deals with fears, difficulties in self-acceptance and bullying throughout her journey. Directed toward younger audiences, yet applicable to everyone, “Champion” awakens new perspectives on ageless issues. 

Starting March 31, Clarks Summit University’s Kindred HeARTS Players will unveil the world-premiere performances of “Champion,” by award-winning playwright Joanna Kraus. The showings will take place at Elsewhere Performance Hall on Clarks Summit University’s campus on March 31, April 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m. A matinee performance will be April 2 at 2 p.m. 

“Champion” won the 2021 Old Miner Children’s Playwriting contest. Kraus holds a dozen other awards, ranging from the Beverly Hills Theatre Guild to Focus on Writers. CSU previously performed Kraus’ “Remember My Name,” a multi-award-winning play about a Holocaust survivor. 

“The story of “Champion” is really of a girl who conquers her fears and rises to the challenge. It happened to involve water polo,” says Kraus. While the setting creates for the audience an engaging display, the truth-inspired story of Robin is designed to be the true captivator. 

According to Kraus, “much of what is in the script happened.” Robin found herself struggling with differences—her height brought cruel comments and she found herself on the outside of friendships. The water polo coach saw her and simply stated, “I can make you a champion.” “And that was something worth writing about,” says Kraus, “I wanted her to undergo this and rise above it.” 

The strength Robin shows reflects not only a coming-of-age theme but also an overarching tone of acceptance. A story with strong themes calls for awareness from both the director and performers. At a recent playwright conference, Dr. Dawn Schluetz, Clarks Summit University associate professor, asked Kraus what projects she was working on. “When I told her I was working on a play about water polo, her eyes lit up,” says Kraus. Schluetz played water polo in the past and was enthusiastic about producing the play. 

From a presentation perspective, water polo presents a challenge for both actors and audiences. Kraus met skeptics who questioned how she would “put water on the stage.” The ultimate decision to use special lighting will be showcased in the world premiere. However, the audience still plays the largest role in theatre: “It’s in the imagination of the audience. You can get away with an awful lot with the illusion of theatre.” 

Beyond the suspension of disbelief Kraus hopes to achieve with the performance are the themes of a production designed to make the audience think. “I often deal with forms of prejudice, and I’m aware of how lethal it can be,” says Kraus. The goal is to remind the audience that everyone is worth respect and appreciation. 

Kraus says Schluetz is “very sensitive to the themes.” Furthermore, Kraus spoke on behalf of Schluetz’s cooperation and the Kindred Hearts Players’ previous impressions. “We are very much on the same wavelength—there’s a nice rapport. And the actors could not be nicer.” 

The Kindred Hearts Players’ work on “Champion” reflects the acceptance of others despite differences. “It’s nice for me having a group of college students dealing with these themes and reaching out to a younger audience,” says Kraus, “When people ask why I write for children, I say, ‘because there’s a hope that they can change.’”  

Get tickets here. 

Kevin J. Waldron, Communications major

​