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by Michelle Lee
Photo Editor
The NS theater department has been getting ready for this year’s musical, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” which had originally been scheduled for performances Jan. 26-29. Unfortunately, due to the spread of COVID cases, the production has been postponed to February 23-26 at 7:00 PM with a matinee on Feb. 26 at 12:30.
“It was a joint decision between me, our choreographer, and our music director,” said NS theater director, Alex Barlow. “Unfortunately we just had too many people out sick who wouldn’t be able to return in time for our first performance, so postponing seemed like the only option.”
While this is the best decision for both the actors and the audience, drastic changes like this affect the process as a whole.
“If we keep up the same pace we’ve been going at in terms of improvement, I’m sure that in a month the show will be astounding,” said actor Emily Wheeler. “It’s just a little sad to have to wait to share this incredible show with the school and community. However, it’s important to prioritize safety.”
Although it is disappointing to many people that the show is being postponed, it can help the cast members in preparation.
“While disappointing and difficult to make a big change like that, I believe in the long run it will make the show stronger,” Barlow said. “We will have more time to practice with the technical elements than we usually do which overall will make things less stressful for our tech crew.”
According to multiple people involved with the show, their biggest motivation is to leave the audience with an impression of some sort, but that won’t happen unless the actors themselves find that feeling first.
“I believe it is incredibly important for audience members to feel something when they see a live theater show,” Barlow said. “The trick is that audience members won’t connect with a show unless the performers themselves are checked in and connected.”
Between rehearsals, meetings, building the set and so many other things, being a part of this department requires dedication.
“Rehearsals have been a bit rough,” said actor Kaceeus Hathaway. “As a member of the jazz, pep, and concert bands, it’s a little hard to keep up with. Also not to mention that I’ve got leadership in scouts, and have chores to do at home. While this seems like a mouthful, I’ve talked to my parents, Kidder, Barlow and my other leaders about my schedule, and I can juggle with all of them.”
The time commitment required to be a part of this production can be overwhelming at times, but what the actors gain from the experience of performing is something that can last with them forever.
“The purpose of theater education is to build the students,” Barlow said. “Many of them will probably go on and never perform again after high school, but the skills of hard work, vulnerability, better self-esteem and the lessons they learn from doing a show will stick with them.”
While there are challenges and draining moments in all that is involved, the impact that the process of this production leaves on the actors is something that is entirely worth it to them.
“It has been a struggle keeping up with lines, memorizing music, and blocking scenes,” said Hathaway. “But I think it’s an amazing source of therapy. I’ve just overall felt a lot better now that I can express myself as an actor and let out all of my feelings. Physically, it’s taxing, but that’s expected. Socially, we’re all pretty tight. We’re family.”
