T-R PHOTO BY NICK BAUR Carter Kemp, left, playing Jim Winters alongside Jacob Geelhart playing Jack Griffin in BCLUW’s production of “The Invisible Man.”

CONRAD — Drama students at BCLUW are hoping for a thrilling weekend as the local troupe brings H.G. Wells’ science fiction classic “The Invisible Man” to the high school auditorium for three performances from March 24-26.

The adapted play is set in a sleepy small town and follows a mysterious man, Jack Griffin, referred to as ‘the stranger,’ who arrives at the local inn seeking refuge.

Wearing a thick coat and gloves with his face hidden entirely by bandages, he develops a bond with the innkeeper’s son, Jim Winters, but his irascible behavior and secretive past drive forward a suspense-filled plot.

The Times-Republican caught up with leading men Jacob Geelhart, who plays Jack Griffin, and Carter Kemp, who plays Jim Winters, after the pair’s dress rehearsal Thursday, and the two were noticeably excited to tackle a production with such a contrast in genre to those in years past.

“It diverges most from our three previous plays, which have all been comedies,” Kemp said. “I think it’s a nice switch up.”

“We’ve been doing this as long as we’ve been in high school, but it’s something we’ve never even gotten close to being a part of,” Geelhart added. “It’s fun to get to change things up and try something a little different.”

While “The Invisible Man” provides narrative twists and turns, Geelhart says the science fiction origins of the story gave the group chances to use new practical effects on stage and required some extra practice when it came to bringing some scenes to life.

“We’ve had a lot of kinks, something like this… It’s not something we’ve ever tried before,” he said. “So [it’s] taking the extra time to work through everything and see what looks best. I think we finally got it pretty much nailed down.”

Kemp agreed, saying the cast and crew rallied to rise over hurdles presented by the script.

“It’s definitely an extra challenge, but I think everybody was willing and able to try our best,” he said. “So that was definitely helpful.”

Yet, the performance is a bit bittersweet for the two seniors, who are taking the stage one last time this weekend and hope to go out with one last hurrah.

“I’m looking forward to having my last performance,” Kemp said. “I’m just excited to please an audience for an afternoon.”

“It’ll be our first last show, kind of sad, kind of exciting, a little nerve wracking. I think it’ll be good. I’m excited to get to wear this on stage,” Geelhart said, still in costume gesturing to his full suit and bandaged face. “I like it. I think it’s kind of cool.”

“The Invisible Man” will be live at the BCLUW High School Auditorium on Friday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 26 at 3 p.m.

Student tickets are $6 and Adult tickets are $8.

To buy tickets in advance, call 641-366-2180 ext. 3036 or visit www.onthestage.tickets/…/6416276f1d3b060e3dbdee61.

A livestream of the performance will also be available for $15 which can be purchased at tinyurl.com/4fx2ube4.

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Contact Nick Baur at 641-753-6611 or nbaur@timesrepublican.com.