BRINGING MAGIC CENTER STAGE

BRINGING

MAGIC

CENTER STAGE

BY LAUREN HOMETORWU [reporter] ARIEL MOORE [reporter]

Theatre can be a magical experience for both those who enjoy watching the performances and those who put in a great deal of effort to create something for audiences alike to enjoy. It can seem intimidating for some to get into the theatre, however.

The first time senior McKinley Cowser was able to be a part of a true theatre production was in her 7th grade year, when she played the substitute Fairy Godmother. Cowser is preparing for her role as Xavia Jones, where she acts as the mother of Megan Jones.

Sophomore Rylee Sites casts a spell at a cast member. “Puffs” is a play about a magical school in England.

“We’ve just been kind of playing back and forth, like a mom and daughter thing. We’re also reviewing lines and thinking about different deliveries. I’m just getting to know my cast members better, and I am developing better relationships so that we can be authentic,” Cowser said.

Connecting with the cast and crew is essential in creating the necessary mood to display the essence of the show according to junior Ethan Ogrentz.

“We’re working on getting together socially,” Ogrentz said. “We have a big group chat we use, and it’s really good to have a very close, tight-knit group. I’ve just wanted to prepare a good atmosphere for the entire thing.”

Through the years, theatre has been an experience memorable for both cast and crew. However, a lot goes into productions, and transforming into a character can be challenging in certain cases. “As I started gaining my confidence, it started to become easier to perform things,” McKinley said. “At times, it was hard to act how I was supposed to be acting, but I got used to it and got accustomed to performing and being characters.”

Finding the grit and motivation to continue working through a rough spot can be taxing, but Ogrentz maintains an optimistic outlook.

“Yes, it happens a lot, and it’s a tough feeling to get over when you’re in that slump of wondering if you are doing this well enough,” Ogrentz said. “There will be times when you just know that what you are doing is good for you and that you are good at it. I think that’s a good mentality to have, even if you are in that slump.”

There’s a great deal of insight that goes into casting characters. Director Jerome Flewelling details the audition process leading up to the final decision.

“We look at how well the student acted during the cold read, which is where they come in and they have not seen the script at all. If they do well and we feel like they could fit into a specific character, then they get a call back. We start looking at this script to see who fits well in what role and to see actor dynamics,” Flewelling said.

Outside of those performing on stage are those behind the scenes. There is an extensive crew that helps to create sets, costumes and lighting that further the experience. The construction crew actively works to create sets in order to create immersive experiences all viewers can enjoy.

“Mr. McBride creates a blueprint and we start from the foundation and build up. He tells us what to do and how to build everything and then we put it together,” junior Austin Shofner said.

The construction crew spends the upcoming Saturdays before the play’s premiere creating sets and props. Shofner is excited to witness the pay off of the crew’s work.

“We’re going to create a lot of cool props and a lot of cool lighting and sound,” Shofner said. “My favorite part is when the paint crew comes in

Senior Livy Helmuth and junior Ethan Ogrentz review blocking for a scene. Helmuth plays the character Megan Jones and Ogrentz plays the character Oliver

Rivers. PHOTO BY ARIEL MOORE

and paints it what we’ve built. It’s just cool to see everything put together.”

The paint crew works with the construction crew to create the final look for sets. The paint crew adds the final touch to bring out the essence of the props, all while following a rubric.

“There is a set palette most of the time. When you buy a licensed theatrical production, there are usually outlines for what things are supposed to look like,” junior Hannah Knight said. “You can’t stray from the original production that much. Most sets look very similar from production to production, and the way you do it has to have the same feeling.”

Everyone pours their heart and their soul into everything that we do. With that emotion and hard work, we become like family. Theater for me has always felt like home, and the arts specifically have always felt like that to me, too.

- junior Hannah Knight

Producing a play requires a well functioning team to actively work together to create and bring life to the sets in the performances. Part of working together as a team is helping each other when in need.

“It can be difficult for the less experienced people in the paint crew, but there are always people that would be willing to help you with a certain style, or work with you to make sure you get it. And if you can’t do a certain thing there’s more than likely people that can and know how to do it better if you need that,” Knight said.

The varying crews work together to make sure the magic and wonder of the play are successfully portrayed through the different visuals. The light and sound crew focuses on utilizing their equipment to create the appropriate atmosphere for scenes. “The most simple light is an ellipsoid and that’s just a technical term, you have to put a gel so that it changes color. Then there are LEDs which you can change via programming. They can become any color that you want, and those just have to be aimed correctly so that they’re taking up the entire stage. There are ILs which are probably the coolest light ILs are super heavy, around 75 pounds, and they move while we are performing. I can program them so that they have different shutters and colors,” senior Erin Doyle said.

The creation of costume designs and makeup also goes into the production of plays. Designs that connect with viewers help relate the sometimes magical and outlandish stories to the real experiences of viewers.

“The Puffs characters are not in the movies, so those are completely new characters, and it takes place in the ‘90s. So all the clothing design is ‘90s-inspired teen fashion from the early ‘90s. So I use films like ‘Clueless’ and ‘Fresh Prince of BelAir’ for inspiration. I’ve also used Steve Urkel from ‘Family Matters’ as inspiration and a TV show called ‘Clarissa Explains It All,’” costume director Leslie Bonner said.

This year will be Bonner’s first year ever as a costume director, and she is prepared to take on the position.

“When I took my courses at Purdue, I didn’t have any courses related to costume design. But I had previous knowledge on how to sew and how to put together clothing in a design sort of way. So, I felt prepared,” Bonner said.

The costumes are being created using a variety of methods. Currently, costumes are being created using commercial patterns and fabric that have been donated to the theatre department.

“With the costume design, I draw up an idea based on some images to give me inspiration, and then I determine if I need to make them from scratch, if I can reuse a costume or if I can purchase an item premade,” Bonner said.

This is a learning experience for Bonner and her crew. However, they work to make sure everything will be fit for the show.

“At first, I was nervous,” Bonner said. “I wasn’t so certain about doing this. I’m getting my master’s right now, and I teach four different classes. I also run two different clubs. Now that I’m into it and I know more about what it is, I’m excited. I had no idea what fun this was going to be until I actually started doing this.”

Theatre can be a magical experience for all, however for the people involved with the creation of such plays it can be more than what’s shown on the surface.

“I spend so much time with these people that some of them have become like family,” Knight said. “Theatre has always been about the family aspect for me. The bonding comes from everyone being a part of this production and from theatre being something that we all love so much. Everyone pours their heart and their soul into everything that we do. With that emotion and hard work, we become like family. Theatre for me has always felt like home, and the arts specifically have always felt like that to me, too. It’s where I found my place at CPHS.” Freshman Cesar Querimit adjusts lights on the catwalk. Querimit is a member of the light and sound crew.

PHOTO BY ARIEL MOORE

Freshman Cesar Querimit adjusts lights on the catwalk. Querimit is a member of the light and sound crew.

Freshman Cesar Querimit adjusts lights on the catwalk. Querimit is a member of the light and sound crew.