Dedicated students are prepared to bring one of Roald Dahl’s stories to life in their annual musical production, Matilda, running from Jan. 23 to Jan. 25. This dynamic musical, filled with high-energy performances promises to captivate audiences of all ages.
Chloe Stovall (12), takes on the lead role of Matilda Wormwood, a bright and intelligent girl. Neglected by her parents and tormented by fearsome headmistress Miss Trunchbull, Matilda discovers her inner strength, mysterious power, and courage to stand up against injustice with the help of her teacher, Miss Honey, and her peers.
“Before every show, we do a full cast warm up to get our voices and bodies ready to perform. Getting energized before going on stage is essential to having a strong show,” Stovall said.
These warm-ups are just one part of meticulous preparation that has been ongoing since Oct., and during this time, students from various departments have had to work together. For example, the soundtrack is performed live by members of orchestra and band, and other groups have been working on learning and refining choreography.
“We worked with the theatre, choir, dance, band, and orchestra departments to make this show possible, “ Stovall said. “There are so many different parts to a musical, and it is important to have as many creative minds working on it as possible.”
While performers run the stage, keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes is a crucial task, and the backstage and tech crews work to ensure every element comes together seamlessly.
“I do a lot of different things, but one of the most important things I do is make sure people are quiet backstage and know their cues,” Ellie Langland (10), assistant stage manager, said.
Managing cues, however, is only part of the challenge, as timing and coordination of aspects such as props and lighting is equally important to ensuring a flawless performance.
“The biggest challenge is making sure things go out on time and come off on time,” Langland said.
The backstage crew ensures the show runs like clockwork, the performers are equally focused on creating memorable moments for the audience. Their performance of Matilda exemplifies the passion and creativity of students who worked on the project, and it brings together the community to see their hard work pay off.
“I hope the audience knows we are here to have fun, break rules, and challenge our minds,” Stovall said.” Be ready to have some big laughs, but also very heartwarming moments.”