Basehor-Linwood High School, The Express, Issue 2, 2016-17

theExpress ISSUE 2 | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

BASEHOR-LINWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

SHOWCASING THEIR VOICE ADAM LANG

The most important part of every musical is the music, and when it comes to a musical with ‘carol’ in the name, it’s safe to say that there will be a whole lot of singing in each scene.

“We spent about 50 minutes each practice going over music back when the rehearsals began, and we still spend about 15 minutes each day going over music,” sophomore Taylor Brownback, who plays Fred, said.

There is little downtime for cast members. Even when not on stage, the cast sings as chorus members.

“I am required to memorize five full songs and several small parts of other songs,” senior Michael McEvoy, who plays Marley, said. “As Marley, I have one main song, ‘Link by Link.’ It’s a creepy song that progressively gets more chaotic.”

In addition to Marley, each character seen on stage has their own song to sing and their own identity in their songs, whether it be the jovial Mr. Fezziwig played by junior Zach Kamm, the celebratory Ghost of Christmas Present played by senior Erin McGowan, or the reminiscent Ghost of Christmas Past played by senior Erin Laney.

“The main theme for my ghost is the past,” Laney said. “So I sing about remembering.”

The songs in the play are all different, and they all serve the purpose of moving the main character, Scrooge, played by senior Jake Reed, through his life and into a new outlook on it.

“My character’s songs drive the story, so it starts with me being really mean and ragged, and it turns to a realization and happiness,” Reed said.

38

LINES FOR MICHAEL MCEVOY AS MARLEY

28

LINES FOR ERIN MCGOWAN AS GHOST OF

CHRISTMAS PRESENT

35

LINES FOR ERIN LANEY AS GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST

120 LINES FOR JAKE REED

28

LINES FOR TRISTAN MCGEHEE AS CRATCHIT

AS SCROOGE

UNSEEN SUPPORT ASHLEIGH KELLY

Many people only consider that the actors, actresses and the work they put in to make sure there is a quality musical, however, the people who really hold the show together are the backstage crew members.

“To have a successful crew you need dedicated students, who work hard and are truly involved in the show. Seeing all the effort from both crew and cast gives me reason to believe that we are going to have a great show,” Glezen said.

Another member of the backstage crew is Hanna Day, a sophomore who is in charge of makeup. Backstage crew members have the option to move set pieces during transitions in order for the show run smoothly, or you could work exclusively in the makeup, hair, or costume. Some people, according to Day, ‘do a little bit of

everything’.

“I work exclusively in makeup.

We all put in a lot of effort. We have to take off and put on whole new makeup looks in a matter of minutes, which means we have to work both very quickly and very well. We also have to keep skin tones, allergies, time, and the ability to see the makeup from the stage, in mind at all times,” Day said.

Both Day and Glezen both agree that a lot of effort in put in by the backstage crew members.

Per week, the musical cast spends around seven and a half hours on their show, prepping for their performances on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“It really depends on the crew how much effort is put in, but from experience I can say that it is a lot of effort and dedication.

To have a successful crew you need dedicated students who work hard and are truly involved in the show,” Glezen said.

JAKE REED

Scrooge What’s something the audience should watch for?

The song “Yesterday, Tomorrow, and Today.” It’s really emotional and deep.

MICHAEL MCEVOY

Jacob Marley What is your favorite part about your character?

I just like my song; personally it’s just fun moving around the stage and acting crazy.

TRISTAN MCGEHEE

Cratchit What’s the most difficult part of being in the musical?

Coordination. Not just with other people, but with music.

STUDENTS BUILD SET BEN MOWERY The play production students worked to create props and scenery for the play, but are recently just seeing everything come together with the last and final touches.

“We are still working on finishing up costumes,” sophomore Sarah Matthews said.

The students in play production worked since the beginning of school in August to bring the Christmas Carol set to life.

“I understand just how much effort goes into making the sets,” senior Erin McGowan said.

The play production class used wood and paint fabric to create many of the props.

“The coolest thing is Scrooge’s house. While Lacey and I were slaving away on costumes, they made that really cool set,” McGowan said.

In order to get each piece of the set and costumes done, each member had to agree to and focus their efforts on a single project at once.

“I think we all do an equal amount of work for making things for the play,” Matthews said.

As the group wrapped up the final props, costumes and set pieces, they chose to keep a few of the designs a secret.

“There are going to be many other components that are going to be a surprise for the premiere showing,” sophomore Addison Gillam said.

CHILD ACTORS ERIN McGOWAN

Child actors are a staple in the performing arts. In many musical productions, one will see the cherub faces of those attending the middle and elementary schools. This year, director Rebecca Knowles did not hold open auditions for the children’s roles like past years. Instead, directors Cindy Reynolds and Knowles only selected students they were familiar with.

“I like them. They’re hardworking and play their parts well,” Knowles said. “We haven’t done a day-by-day (run through) yet. As the nights get later, it will get a bit more strenuous, though.”

The musicals are taxing on all and those involved will find themselves coming home tired many nights and losing free time.

For Collin Sims, this has not been a problem yet. In this production, Sims will play Jonathan, a youth of London. Even when it’s half past eight, Sims maintains his energy, whether it be through bottle flipping or ninja star crafting.

The children’s parents can be seen in the back seats of the auditorium from the beginning of rehearsal to the end. For Jack Cook, who will be playing the role of Tiny Tim, his mother’s dedication to his role is made apparent when she encourages him to wear a different shoe on each foot. “Because I have to limp in the play ‘cause I’m dying, I use the boot to practice,” Jack Cook said.

Parents can be seen at almost every rehearsal. They bring dinner and snacks and often

have to drive their child to another activity. Without these caregivers, the musical would be without many of its younger cast members.

“They’re very supportive of the production, not just their children,” Knowles said.

Fourth grader Maizee Mangoes has been in four musical productions. In A Christmas Carol, she will be the young sister of Scrooge. At this point, Mangoes is comfortable backstage and in the spotlight. Although she is experienced in musicals, she still feels just a little nervous.

“The high school kids are just so tall,” Maizee Mangoes said.

From late practices to memorizing dances, cues and lines, the younger members of A Christmas Carol have given their time to being productive members of the cast. Seventh grader Gracie Hermreck has been grateful to see the entire musical come together. With this being her first production, she has had to take on a great many responsibilities onstage.

“Usually when we are backstage, we do weird dance moves to the song that is being sung. The whole cast is super funny,” Gracie Hermreck said.

Her excitement for the upcoming production is shown through her attentiveness during rehearsal notes and when focusing on her solo.

“Honestly, I think that the musicals are kind of tough, having to memorize parts and all, but I know it will pay off. I have seen this musical ever since I was six, and ours is coming along so well,” Hermreck said.

CALDER HOLLOND

Ghost of Christmas Yet To Be What is your favorite part about your character?

I like how she shows Scrooge how sad the future could be and convinces him to change. I also like the cool cape I wear.

ERIN LANEY

Ghost of Christmas Past What is your favorite part about your character?

I get to play something completely different than myself.

JENSEN WALCOTT

Mrs. Fezziwig What is your favorite moment in the musical?

When I come in and say “Drinkies!”

MAKING MUSIC RIESE BEEBE The choir program has seen a few different pianists accompany the choirs and play for the musical. The current pianist, Joy Blair, can perform piano pieces that many other pianists cannot play. This is likely due to the fact Blair has been playing piano as long as she can remember.

“My mom was the church organist, and I would sit on the bench with her and watch the music,” Blair said. “I constantly was playing at church, for school choirs, community groups and soloists.”

Blair picked up on piano after just one year of piano lessons in the second grade.

“In college, I took another semester of piano but was a vocal major,” Blair said.

She has never even considered another career path; she has always just wanted to play music.

“My masters degree is in music industry with writing and arranging… if music therapy would have been available for me, I probably would have gone that route,” Blair said.

Blair has directed many choirs, musicals, jazz bands, praise bands and drama groups which have helped her to meet new people and given her memories that she is fond of.

“It is a privilege to be at Basehor for this chapter in my life and share the love of music with such awesome students and other teachers,” Blair said, “Music touches lives where mere words cannot.”

THEATER BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL CECILEE HUBER Seniors can be stressed trying to decide what they want to do after graduating. Some want to be doctors or teachers, and then the musically talented ones, like senior Jake Reed, want to pursue theatre or musical arts. Ever since Reed was little, he loved watching plays.

“It’s my favorite thing. It’s my life,” Reed said.

Reed started his acting career his sophomore year when he got a lead role as Bert Healy in the musical Annie.

“It meant a lot to me, considering that it was my first musical and that I got a solo,” Reed said. Now, he has the lead role in A Christmas Carol, playing Scrooge.

Reed wants to take his love for the theatre beyond high school.

He plans on attending New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts (NYCDA) to major in musical theatre.

“My dream is to perform on Broadway as Edna Turnblad from

the play Hairspray,” Reed said.

Reed is the only senior planning to continue in theatre, and he knows there will be challenges.

He understands that finding a job after college will be quite difficult.

“The thing that I don’t like about theatre is the fact that it’s very competitive,” Reed said. “I wish I could just go to college and immediately get a career in it.”

Claudia Jacobs, a 2016 graduate, is currently a student at American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) located in New York, NY. She had advice for Jake on pursuing his theatre dreams.

“Try your hardest, and cry when you need to,” Jacobs said.

“Make this year the year where things happen.”

Reed understands that his role in this year’s musical as Scrooge is a stepping stone in his long journey.

“I would like to use theatre to improve my voice, dancing, and hopefully meet new people,” Reed said. “I want to be a star!”

SEVENTH MUSICAL STERLING HOLLOND

The musical: a staple of the arts, happens once every year, in the fall.

During this time, students flock to the auditions for a shot at the stage. For some, this is a one year experience, finding it too much of a commitment or that it’s simply not right for them. Yet for others, this has been the staple of their falls, and for some, stretching back as far as they can recall.

Senior Britney Smith Q: How long have you been doing the musicals?

A: I’ve been in every BLHS musical since I was in 6th grade. This is my 7th and final one.

Q: What has been your favorite one?

A: My favorite show overall was probably the first one, Seussical the Musical.

ZACH KAMM Mr. Fezziwig

What is your favorite part about your character?

He’s so happy in a time when he could easily not be.

Q: Do you have a favorite part throughout the years?

A: My favorite part was in Annie the Musical. I was one of the orphans.

Q: How have you balanced the work of rehearsal and school into your schedule?

A: I have balanced my schedule by getting very little sleep and by taking advantage of my advisory time.

Q: What kind of a role do the musicals play in your life?

A: They make me happy. I love singing and dancing so putting them together is like a whole new challenge that I love. I also acting as a certain character. The musicals are kind of my escape from reality.

Q: How has Rebecca Knowles’ involvement in your life affected you?

A: Knowles has made a huge impact in my life. Her patience and kindness inspires me to make myself better and there is something about her that brightens my day when I see her.

A Christmas Carol is set to hit the stage Nov. 10-12 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door for $5.

ERIN MCGOWAN

Ghost of Christmas Present What is something the audience should watch out for?

The audience should especially keep an eye out for any mistakes I make during my intense dance.

GAMES GALORE

A CHRISTMAS CAROL BOOTS COOKIES ELVES FROSTY THE SNOWMAN HOT CHOCOLATE MITTENS PRESENTS SCARF STOCKING

SWEATER BELLS CANDY CANES DECEMBER FELIZ NAVIDAD GINGERBREAD ICE NOEL REINDEER SLED STOCKING CAP

TREE BLIZZARD COAT DECORATIONS FIGGY PUDDING HOLLY MISTLE TOE ORNAMENTS SANTA CLAUSE SNOW SUGAR PLUM WINTER

WE’VE GOT JOKES

What’s the difference between Santa’s reindeer and a knight?

One slays the dragon, and the other’s draggin’ the sleigh.

DOWN 1. This senior is the Ghost of Christmas Present. She’s the design editor of The Express.

2. This senior is playing one of the three ghosts. She is in choir and orchestra.

4. This character is played by freshman Lexie Glezen.

5. This senior is Ghost of Christmas Yet to Be and is involved with cross country, and is an editor on The Express staff.

What did one snowman say to the other snowman?

Do you smell carrots?

What does a sheep who hates Christmas say?

Bahhhhh humbug What do snowmen wear on their heads?

Ice caps!

How did Scrooge with the football game?

The ghost of Christmas passed!

What is the best Christmas present in the world?

A broken drum, you just can’t beat it!

What do you call an old snowman?

Water!

ACROSS 3. He’s Scrooge’s nephew, played

by Taylor Brownback, and his complete opposite.

6. This character is played by Zach Kamm. Scrooge was this character’s apprentice.

7. This character hates Christmas and is played by senior Jake Reed.

8. This character is played by junior Tristan McGehee. He works for Scrooge and has a large family.

9. This character is played by senior Michael McEvoy and was Scrooge’s business partner.

@blhsnews EXPRESS STAFF Editor-in-chief: Calder Hollond Graphics editor: Erin McGowan Reporters: Emma Hall, Adam Lang, Adam Crouse, Ashleigh Kelly, Morgan Buchholz, Cecilee Huber, Riese Beebe, Ben Mowery, Sterling Hollond Adviser: Erin Amrein