Every year, the theater department prepares a show to be presented to the district. They hold auditions early in the year, have rehearsals throughout the first semester and perform usually at the beginning of the second semester. Right now, they’re hard at work preparing the musical for this year, “Hadestown.”
On September third and fourth, the audition process was held. Students performed a song and monologue, both by memory, in the auditorium after school in front of staff and students behind management for the project, along with their fellow auditioners.
“At first I was nervous, but after I saw that I wasn’t the only one who felt that way it was a bit easier to relax,” Johanna Martinez said.
A few days after auditions, the cast list was released. Only one person could fill any given character role, so students who were determined to be involved auditioned for multiple roles and even for tech roles.
“I was auditioning for the role of Persephone at first, but I had been cast as a worker/stone,” Martinez said. “I had also applied to be a tech, so that ended up being my final role.”
With auditions and casting out of the way, it had become time to start preparation for the show. Cast members and staff meet up everyday besides Wednesdays to work on the show, depending on who’s needed at the time.
“Rehearsals vary on what people are needed, but as of right now we usually have some form of rehearsal everyday besides Wednesday and weekends,” England Roque said. “We will most likely have more rehearsal time as we get closer to the performance dates.”
Musical theater, like any other extracurricular, isn’t without its hardships. The theater department not only needs their technology to be set perfectly, but their actors need to have their voices ready to meet the demand of the show.
“My personal biggest challenge would be stretching my vocal range to hit some of the higher notes in the show,” Macie Muñoz said. “My character belts a lot of tricky notes, but I’m excited to try my best to improve my personal vocal stamina and strength.”
One of the theater department’s greatest strengths is the community they have managed to build. They are a close-knit family that create an environment of acceptance where everyone can be themselves without judgement.
“While I love the medium of acting as a way to tell stories, my favorite thing about theater is the community surrounding it,” Devin Harris said. “All the fun little rituals we have and the jokes that are made along the way make the process an unforgettable one. Our theater department is a unique and irreplaceable one that has brought me so many memories that I hold close to my heart.”
With everything set to have an amazing performance, the theater department remains hard at work, getting ready to show their effort and dedication to each other and their project. Each student is crucial to their collective success, regardless of if they are on or off stage. Their performances take place through November 14 to November 16, so make sure to be ready to purchase tickets if you’re interested in seeing yet another outstanding showing of the talent and skill of these kids.