The students in the theater department put on a production of “The Play That Goes Wrong” on October 10th, 11th, and 12th after preparing for the last several months. Audience members commented that they loved the play for its humor and the impressive stage production. The play was set up as a play within a play so the roles were more complicated to perform. Sophomore Katherine Presley was an actor who took on two characters, Robert and Thomas.
“At first, we thought I was actually going to be a girl in the play. We thought we were going to change the role but [Mr. Terrell] decided to go through with it and make me a guy. So I had to try to practice a lot for this role,” Presley said.
Her practice showed. Presley not only pulled off this role, but excelled in it. Not only did she enjoy acting in the play but she had lots of fun producing it as well.
“My favorite scene to act out was spitting out water five times in a row. Getting to do this play was just a great and fun experience,” Presley said.
While some students had acting roles, others worked behind the curtain to keep the show running smoothly. Sophomore Norah Rowley was one of the many students who worked behind the scenes.
“Some difficulties that I had working backstage were missing my cues because we have to look for a very specific line for a moment in the show,” Rowley said. “But besides that I think I did a good job.”
Although Rowley faced some challenges while working backstage, she left the play yearning for more.
“I think [theater] is something I want to do again. I think it’s something that people should try because there are a lot of things you can do in theater. It doesn’t have to be acting or being on stage. There are lights and sound. I think it’s a really interesting experience,” Rowley said.
Senior Charles Hill was an actor in the play who played the character of Johnathan, the main character of the murder mystery. There was a lot of preparation beforehand to get ready for this role.
“There was a lot of time spent memorizing lines. We had a lot of cold reads,” Hill said. “Also having to figure out relationships within the play. Doing that really helps me embody my role.”
As Hill reflects on what helps him in his acting process, he feels that he has many strengths and weaknesses when it comes to acting.
“I would say my strengths are probably just being able to be the person I’m acting as. Also figuring out my relationships with the other characters,” Hill said. “My weaknesses would probably be more on stage. Being more within the physical aspect like moving around.”
After Hill and the rest of the theater students reflected on their performance, they felt incredibly accomplished after their production. Theater Director Tony Terrel felt just as good about the performance.
“It’s the dream of every teacher to see our students pull off a production,” Terrell said. “But when it comes to watching them make their magic happen, you know you leave it up to them in the process.”
Terrell mentions this play was up to his students, they got to decide how to put on this play and how they wanted it to look. Terrell was proud of how hard his students worked to make this show happen and was very content with the outcome of all their practice.
“It always makes me feel good knowing that the kids take so much ownership and that no matter what, they make the show great because they put their own hearts and souls into it.”