SLS Theater Delights Audiences with Fall Plays

 

In this short play, celebrity interviewer and television host Ian McWorthy welcomes a “litterful” of felines whose internet antics have catapulted them to fame and onto his show. In a fast-paced series of hilarious interviews, Ian uncovers the story behind Tuffy's first dramatic foray into a cardboard box, learns just what makes Nelson the Grouchy Cat so very, very grouchy, contends with the diva-like antics of Kitty Boo Boo and her entourage, and more. 

Middle School Theater Director Magistra Mahler shared, “With a cast of just five actors and a crew of three, this show asked a lot of our Middle School thespians. But the small team rose to the challenge, doing creative character work to explore their cats’ backstories, working together to practice lines and compose catchy tunes for our musical scene, and even stepping out of their comfort zone to learn some physical stunts. The pre-recorded commercials, a highlight of the process, were where our actors got the chance to try a different kind of performance, and our tech crew pulled out all the stops, making both physical and digital assets and working with different styles of film editing. What a great opportunity to learn and explore!”

Theater Arts Department Chair John Conners shared, “Our goal with the Middle School fall play is always to craft an experience that will hook our young thespians on theater. Laughter is the most immediate feedback theatergoers can give, so we knew right away that our cast and crew’s work with the cheeky internet cats resonated with our audience. This season we partnered with the Middle School Art Club to create some wonderfully unique scenic pieces, which enhanced our production and provided the Art Club with the opportunity to reach a different audience.”  

The following week, the Upper School theater brought a stage adaptation of A Wrinkle In Time, by Madeleine L'Engle, to the Seldin Performing Arts Center.

The story follows Meg Murry, a teenage girl who is transported through time and space with her younger brother, Charles Wallace, and her friend Calvin O'Keefe. Their aim is to rescue her father, Mr. Murry, a gifted scientist, from the evil forces holding him prisoner on another planet. The story wrestles with questions of spirituality, purpose, love, identity, and goodness, in a war between light and dark. 

Theater Arts Department Chair John Conners shared, “The Upper School show combined familiarity (most people have read the book) and the opportunity to produce something new and inventive. Each cast and crew member contributed to creating a unique world. To me, this is the most exciting type of theater because it encourages students to stretch themselves creatively and share their developing voices as theater artists. I’d like to thank all those who attended the fall shows – we can’t do this without your support. I look forward to seeing all of you at our winter musicals!”