An actress. A singer. A reporter. Two bellhops. One madman. And one poodle.
These are among the list of absurd characters to be featured in this year’s fall play, “Suite Surrender.” This production is distinct from that in our past, for a few reasons: One, this is a comedy- the first in many years that Liberty has seen.
Having this capability, the theater program has the ability to tap into a different spectrum of entertainment, and aspire to seize laughter in abundance from their audience. Actors and crew alike are eager for this opportunity.
“I like the chaotic nature of the plot,” actress Micki Morris (12) said. “I’ve laughed every time I’ve read the script.”
Costume staff member Noelle Wise (12) shares this sentiment of anticipation into a new direction. “I know all the crew is excited to focus in on something new,” Wise said. “It will be a learning experience for many new members, and a chance to explore attention to detail for kids who have been here for longer.”
The second, and perhaps more immediately distinctive feature of this play is the size of its cast. The total list of characters rings up to 9 – the smallest cast that Liberty has displayed upon our stage in years.
While this has caused some feelings of anxiety in some auditionees, it has not deterred those excited to participate – on and off the stage. More than 60 people, including many new freshmen and first time members, threw their hat into the acting scope. The auditions took place on Sept. 2 and 3, and callbacks were held on Sept. 5.
“Before auditioning, the thought of auditioning made me nervous, the stakes are higher than most of the other shows I’ve auditioned for,” Morris said. “However on audition day I wasn’t really that nervous because even though I might not be cast that doesn’t mean I’m not a good performer or that I didn’t have a good audition. It just means I wasn’t a right fit for the show.”
This is an ideology that Mrs. Gehrke, our theater teacher, always wishes to express to her students. Though this is a size of production somewhat unorthodox to this theater, the heart of the program remains the same: everyone in theater is family, and in a family, we see and seek value in every member.
