LPHS Drama Club Prepares Matilda Show for November
The cast poses at the end of a rehearsal. “In the drama club we have our own little aura and environment and each crew or cast member has their own as well, and it kind of shows what the people are like at LPHS,” Ashford said.
November 2, 2021
The LPHS Drama Club is practicing the show Matilda in our theater for the nights of November 4-6. Mia Ashford 10 is a performer in the show, playing the roles of Amanda and Sergei. The small details of the performance are the largest things that went into the preparation, according to her.
“There are a lot of reactions required to show each of the characters’ personalities,” Ashford said. “People might not notice, but small details with the hair, little movements, or dialogue really create the environment of the school.”
Many different roles cooperate to produce a play such as this, with some being more involved than others, but all equally important.
“The cast are the people who act on stage, the stage managers help teach the scenes and fix mistakes, and the dance choreographer and dance captains teach and create dances,” Ashford said. “ The construction crew design and build every set, the lights crew set up lighting cues, sound crew and costume crew deal with mics and costumes, respectively. They all work separately and then combine their efforts at the end.”
The script is usually sourced online from a pre-written template but is edited and embellished to add personality and flavor.
“We work off of a template but things like specific choreography and set or costume design are all up to us,” Ashford said. “The story is set, the song parts are set, and the lines are set, but we express them in our own way. If you followed what they did on the Broadway version of this musical precisely, there wouldn’t be a lot of creative freedom there.”
Ashford was nervous going into the field of drama, but easily found her footing. She recommends that someone new to the field doesn’t let doubt stop them.
“Don’t hold back at all because I had no drama experience or singing experience and I auditioned. One of the songs for the audition was really hard, and I did horribly, but they saw my potential and I got a fairly involved role, even though I was expecting a minimal one, Ashford said. “You will surprise yourself with your performance because everyone just sees it as a place to express and grow, not judge.”
Matilda premieres soon. You can find tickets on https://www.showtix4u.com/#ticketing.
“Show nights are November fourth through sixth, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There are four shows in total and everyone should come. It’ll be fun.”
