Connor Davis Q: You composed all the songs in “Illusive Impression.” Can you explain what that means? A: So Mckenzie wrote the lyrics. I took the lyrics and the emotional content of what she was trying to get across and put it into music. We would literally sit down at the piano, go over the song and try to come up with things that would have a melody, have emotional content. Sometimes we would change lyrics to fit the music, but it was Mckenzie’s writing, and I just put music to it. Q: You have an amazing voice; have you taken singing lessons? A: Not really. I just grew up singing with my family and at church and stuff. Q: Who do you look up to? A: To be honest, I look up to Mr. Leff a lot. Q: Do you want to pursue composing, songwriting and singing in college? In your career? In other aspects of life? A: I think so. I think I would like to keep writing music throughout my life, even if it’s just a hobby. Some kind of music — I want to keep it in my life. Q: What advice do you have for people who want to do what you do? A: It’ll never sound perfect to you, so just be creative. It’s your own unique original creation. Similar to Mckenzie, be open to changing things a lot because to make things better, you have to be willing to change things.
Arnold and Davis Q: How did you meet? Arnold: I had the idea of the show and I started writing it out. I got my two friends Eva and Becca to help edit what I’m writing, because sometimes I don’t make sense. And then sophomore year, they introduced me to Connor, because they were friends with him, and I was like
‘wow you’re good.’ And we’ve just stayed together since. Davis: I remember “Once Great Man,” Arnold: Yeah, the jazzy version! Q: Do you have a favorite part of the play? Davis: Mine is the last song. When everyone sings on stage together and when after bows, they come to the front of the stage, and we all sing together out of character… that was my favorite. Arnold: That moment was powerful. It brings the message from the show outside of the characters and to actual society. The show is all about ‘don’t aimlessly follow your emotions because it will lead to destruction,’ so that’s what the lyrics at the end are talking about. I don’t know. It’s just like a really nice moment. It’s a sad moment, but it’s a nice moment. Q: How did you celebrate after the show was over? Davis: We went to In-N-Out, and we had a giant cast party. Arnold: And it was like speech night, so everyone had a turn giving emotional speeches, and it kept going until midnight, and it was super sad but super great. Despite the play’s title, the talent behind West Ranch Theater’s latest production is no illusion. The thrilling, immersive production is the child of hard work and bold creativity. Arnold, Davis and the entire cast have an exciting future in store! Arnold is currently working through copyright laws so that larger theaters can showcase her spectacular creation.
