The Millard West Theater Department is preparing for its first production of the year, “Romeo and Juliet”, where we can see not only students but also staff on stage. Preparing for this show has taken lots of time to make sure lights have good settings for the stage, for sound to make sure they time everything correctly, and for the actors to add finalizing details to their work.
Rehearsal started two weeks before school officially began and they had a six-day summer intensive rehearsal that was stretched over that time. The actors were taught by professionals about how to say some of the words and bring the story to life. At the same time, the set crew and props worked with their own professionals to better their skills and understanding of the time in which the play takes place. Since July 29, they have been learning fight scenes, lines, prop work, sound cues, and more all to prepare them for their first performance on August 29.
“We brought in a guest artist named Devon Glover who goes by The Sonnet Man from New York City during our intensive,” theater teacher Brooke Phillips said. “He worked with the language and rhythm to jumpstart our practice.”
Glover worked with the cast and more so sophomore Henry Hudson, who plays the role of Romeo, and senior Lily Lane, who plays the role of Juliet to teach them about the depth of the two characters’ love and how they should convey their lines. Devons’ partner Shara helped the set crew and taught them more painting techniques and how to effectively block scene changes.
“We found that doing four people made it a lot faster and made us feel a lot better about that scene change,” junior Chlo Hinds said. “that overall gives us a better understanding that even though there are more people and it gets hard to move around them it gives us a more comfortable time frame.”
Even with the help and insight they got from the professionals, it’s up to the cast and crew to make everything real and set it into motion. Practice makes perfect especially when trying to figure out where everyone needs to be or will be in a certain scene. The crew must coordinate with actors and the actors have the responsibility of making sure they get all their props and are where they need to be.
“The directors help to figure out what I need to be doing during the scene and then I take that input and try to put it into my actions on stage,” Hudson said. “With the props crew members, they help me with my coin bag that is moving from side to side so I always have it.”
With show week creeping nearer and nearer the cast no longer needs their scripts in hand using what they have memorized to perform and have fun on stage.
“I love the Queen Mab speech and I think it is a lot of fun,” Phillips said.“Brykin has fun portraying it but it’s so descriptive and the whole idea of a fairy who comes into your dreams and steals your ideas is so fun.”
This show is bringing new actors and also bringing old actors as some of the staff are going onto the stage for the first time since their high school years. All of the adult roles in the show are played by teachers some of who have no experience and some who used to be actors or directors.
With the end of rehearsals and auditions for the next show, Romeo and Juliet is coming to an end with only days before the opening on August 29 and 31. While work is still being done the cast and crew are only moments away from performing to a live audience to kickstart their year. You can buy tickets here, adults are twelve dollars and students are seven.
