The advanced theater program here at Castaic High School has been working hard to bring everyone this year’s production of “Clue.” But what has been happening behind the scenes for the past few months in order to put this show together?
Since the first week of school, theater began to work diligently to put together their newest production. The class has been painting and rehearsing day after day just for the show to be perfect.
These students have put so much effort into “Clue,” even showing up during the weekends to keep rehearsing. They stay on campus until 4:45 everyday, sometimes even later in hopes of perfecting their craft.
The play is inspired by a movie of the same name, which is based on the original game.
The story theater is performing is a murder mystery comedy set in the 1950’s. The entire crew has been pouring their energy into making sure the play is period accurate.
Heather Moss, the director of the production, says that theater wanted, “to try this really comedic, over the top show that is different then what we have done in the past three years.”
Mrs. Moss wanted to ensure that theater was performing a different style of show every year. Clue has been a stark contrast to Castaic’s other plays, being set based and focused on comedy. This change has led to a huge increase in attendance at shows. Opening night had over 160 people attend.
One of the play’s leads, senior Emmett Hull, who plays the butler, Wadsworth, says that the hardest part of the play is “memorizing all of [his] lines.”
This is the most lines Hull has had to memorise in any of his productions. Most of the show’s actors agree that memorizing their lines or cues has been the biggest challenge.
Hull’s main goal is “to make people laugh. I want to surprise people. I am not a very frightening person… and this character can be.”
Every character in a production has their own distinct personality that is often the opposite of the actors. They must learn to accurately and convincingly portray the character, and their story. Whether their character is cold and calculated, brave and stupid, or loud and crazy.
Students spent 9 weeks working behind the scenes creating the beautiful sets you see on stage during the show.
Freshman Oliver Gall who worked extensively on the sets said “a strong team,” is essential to having a successful production.
This team was put to the test. They had to make a strict schedule and plan in order to ensure the play would have sets long before opening night.
Without tech’s hard work the actors would be unable to rely on the physical location of the story, forcing actors to describe their setting.
The production is not only created by the actors, but by the tech crew as well. The show would be less magical without the lights, and music that are controlled from behind the scenes.
Junior Abigail Hubard, who does the backstage projections, says she has “had a good time getting to know the crew. [As well as] trying things [she has never done before.]”
Projections were used for this production to make the illusion of Body Manor at the beginning of the show, that dissolves as the lights dim.
The music and sound effects used in this show help enhance the comedic effect. The use of dramatic tones at introductions reveal the rocky past the characters share.
This year, tech has been focused on creating a close knit community while still bringing their magic to the show. The audience loved the effect this approach brought to the show, further proving how successful tech’s new approach has been
Castaic Theater will continue to bring amazing productions to our campus, such as “Grease” this spring.
Make sure to congratulate all involved in the production for their hard work, and follow Castaic Theatre on Instagram. Continue to be on the look out for all the other amazing productions they will bring us.
