By Annie Heath, Oliver Parks and Helen Thorp, Nighthawk News
When you think of a family, maybe a gaggle of random students parading around the auditorium doesn’t spring to mind. But when it comes to StageKraft Productions, the word “family” takes center stage.
The theater community at FFHS is bursting with spirit, themes of togetherness, and all-around cast camaraderie. So warm the lights, draw the curtains and brace for action as StageKraft brings “Peter Pan and Wendy” to life for three shows this week: Thursday and Friday at 7, and Saturday at 2.
The support that runs through the theater group is abundant, from signs in the backstage halls to group dinners before the show.
“If you ever go back stage – the dressing rooms, the back hallways and things – we have some little signs hanging up about being a family,” co-director Lauren Deal said.
Those reminders about respecting each other and acting like a tight-knit family can be helpful reminders when a unique group of individuals comes together for months for the daunting task of putting on a play.
When a new show starts, a new slate is created – a blank canvas ready for painting. Each fall play and spring musical allows the people in the performances to shine, and as involved as Deal and fellow director Monica Penn may be, most of the play is run by the students.
“When we get stuck, we troubleshoot together and get through it,” Penn said. “It’s been a really cool process to see it work this year.”
Theater allows students to be whoever they want. No judgment. No embarrassment. Just connection and community.
“We share all (of our) emotions with each other and we go through (them) together, no matter whether we’re struggling or succeeding,” said sophomore Vada Clark, who plays Peter Pan.
From someone like Clark, with the pressure of performing in the leading role, to the newest cast member with just a few lines, it’s important to make sure everyone is at their best before the next long rehearsal begins.
“This year we started doing check-ins at the beginning of rehearsal where we ask everyone, ‘How are you doing today?’ ” Deal said. “And sometimes we ask them another question: ‘Tell us about your favorite shoe,’ or ‘What color do you feel like today?’ ”
Talking about emotions or answering fun questions helps the StageKraft crew become a group of accepting, hard-working and caring individuals who have one goal in mind at the end of the day: putting on the play without a hitch.
“It’s a tight-knit group. We have each other’s backs. From day one, I preach that we’ve got to be there for each other,” Penn said. “But really, it’s a wonderful group. They’re there for each other. It’s such a supportive environment. I love it.”
Junior Annie Heath can be reached at [email protected].
Senior Oliver Parks can be reached at [email protected].
Junior Helen Thorp can be reached at [email protected].
