While the birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and the grass is growing, the sounds of song and laughter are emitting from the Hazelwood Central High School auditorium. Hazelwood Central’s Student Workshop Theater proudly presents Cinderella–The Enchanted Version. Students and staff have been working together since January to put on a great show for everyone to enjoy. With the show premiere right around the corner, it is starting to set in heavily for some of the cast and crew members.
Miss Chelsea Krenning, the technical director of Cinderella shares a common fear for performers.
“I am always scared no one will come to the show,” explained Miss Krenning.
She’s not the only one with fears in regards to the show.
“I am most afraid of forgetting a line,” explained Isaac Parker, who plays Prince Christopher.
The trend seems to be pretty popular among most cast and crew members. Be it a missed cue, or line, fear is very prominent.
“I’ve been in thirteen shows before Cinderella, so this isn’t my first rodeo,” said Julianna Busse who plays the role of Cinderella.
“So far Cinderella is the hardest show I’ve ever done. I’ve never been a part of a show that’s as technically and physically demanding. It’s just a small price I have to pay for something I love.”
Seeing as opening night is approaching in about a week, it seems pretty fair that the cast members are a little on edge. Nevertheless, there are plenty of positive emotions for cast and crew members alike.
“I am most excited to see how the show will come together,” expresses chorus member Desmond Ellis.
Spending the last three months working together on the show, there is no doubt that a family-like community was built. This consisted of a lot of faith, hope, trust, and love.
“I am most excited with being done with the show and being able to tell everyone how great they did,” said David Dyson, sound crew head.
The behind the scenes is going to look very different for everybody. For some, it consists of lots of water, tea, vocal warm ups, stretches and more. For others, the struggle making sure props are set in place, the set is correct, the lighting is great, the sound quality isn’t bad, the costumes are perfect, or simply making sure that everyone is where they are supposed to be. Many troupe members believe that this is the magic of theater.
Austin Gipperich, the set crew head, is very confident in himself as well as his fellow theater peers that they will put on a great show.
“There’s no need to stress out when I know we can get it done when we work together,” he states confidently.
Austin claims to treat each show night like a dress rehearsal. He finds that over-thinking and worrying makes more mistakes, but he also knows that his crewmates can do it.
He has one main concern, and that is the communication between the entire troupe. Even with such concern, he still trusts his peers and educators to put on a great show.
“The work off the stage is equal to the work on stage,” said Miss Krenning.
Everyone put in an ample amount of work to make this story come alive, and as of right now, they feel confident it will.
“There’s nothing that feels better than stepping out of your skin for a moment and being a completely different person,” explained Busse.
