The EHHS Drama Club has been preparing for its April 3rd, 4th, and 5th production of The Prom by auditioning for roles, building props, running many different types of rehearsals, and finally, putting the show together during tech week.
Co-Directors Kari Collins and Callie Fusco, and music director Fiona Bryson began planning the show back in August 2024. They sat together to choose the production for their upcoming show. Every year, they choose the show based on many things, for example: the appropriateness, the music, and the students’ involvement and interest. “I like to pick ones where everyone’s involved, the ensemble’s involved, and they’re in the big numbers so that it’s fun for everyone to participate,” Ms. Collins said.
They held auditions for the show in December of 2024. Everyone who wanted to audition prepared a song from the show to sing for the directors. There was also a dancing audition, where students learned a dance on the spot and had to perform it. Lastly, there was an acting audition, where students had to read a script and develop the emotion and character behind it. After all three auditions, the directors were able to see the areas of strength for each potential cast member. The directors chose student roles and posted the list on Google Classroom. Ms. Collins noted, “We actually send it digitally so that if people are upset, they can process that at home and then come back the next day ready to continue.” Once students are cast in their roles, they can accept or deny the parts. Ms. Collins says, “I think for the most part, from what I know, everybody kind of understands it, it’s a puzzle piece.”
The drama club spends most of its time rehearsing. They rehearse most of the week and focus on four different types of rehearsals: music, blocking, choreography, and tech. During music rehearsals, students get together with Fiona, the music director, to go over and perfect their parts. Blocking rehearsals are when students learn their places in the show, where to stand, and what to do. Choreography rehearsals are where students learn their dances. All of the directors help teach the students their parts; however, Ms. Collins notes that once students learn their parts it is “the responsibility of everybody to practice it outside. We record videos of the dances so people can go home and keep practicing it. We simply don’t have the time to do it over and over again.”
Finally, tech rehearsals take place during tech week. This is when the cast puts all the parts together with the crew and tech to run the show fully before the performance days.
There are two main types of crew, run crew and build crew. The run crew ensures that things run smoothly backstage. They help with lighting, moving set pieces, changing scenes, and preparing the actors for performance. The build crew helps build and paint set pieces and props for the show. The show couldn’t run without both parts of the crew.
Ms. Collins and the rest of the directors are always looking for more help with the Crew. If you are interested, email her at [email protected]
The production will take place on April 3rd (6:30 pm), and 4th and 5th (7:00 pm).
Tickets can be purchased online at ehhsdramaclub.ludus.com, or in person at the show. Tickets are 14$ for adults and 12$ for students or seniors.
