The auditions for the school play were held on February 25. Many students tried out and made a lasting impression on the directors. The students practiced very hard for the auditions and showcased their talents.
The students were auditioning for the play “Alice by Heart,” a play set in World War II in London. Alice Spencer is a young girl who tries to escape the devastating terrors of war by reading her favorite book, “Alice In Wonderland.” She loses herself in the story as those around her turn into characters from the book.
Students auditioning for the play came prepared with a 30 to 60-second monologue. In addition, they had to sing at least one minute of a song. The directors then put the students into groups to act out a small part of the play.
“Well, I had a solo, and I picked ‘Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man’ by Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein,” freshman Zaphira Paul said. “Then I had a monologue, which was from the book ‘Alice in Wonderland’; I picked a paragraph where Alice follows the White Rabbit into the whole of the Wonderland. After all of that, they put us in groups of four, and we had to read/act out a part of the script they gave us.”
Preparing for an audition can be a stressful time. So much more goes into it than just a quick performance for the directors. Students must show up prepared and have a commanding stage presence. However, they must also be authentic from the moment they step into the room.
“In my mind, I think about every performative activity you do in your career as preparing for auditions,” junior Estrella Gonzales said. “Whether it be performing for band and choir or doing past shows for PHS drama or other outside school companies. The impact you make on your directors when you first meet them will be your first step in the preparation for an overall good audition. On top of that, the more straightforward things that a student who is auditioning would need to know is the material required and what needs to be memorized (if it does at all) and what doesn’t.”
Doing theater is a great way to meet new people. It gives students an opportunity to find their voice. They get to be creative and see all of the steps that go into a performance. Not only do they get to see all the work that goes on on the stage, but also all the work that is done backstage.
“I got Queen of Hearts/ Red Cross Nurse,” junior Anika Anderson said. “I like acting and building sets. Being in the play also gives me an opportunity to socialize and make new friends. I’m looking forward to seeing it all come together; we have amazing songs, choreography, and tech, so I think this musical is going to be awesome. Theater is important to me because it is one of my favorite pastimes. It’s a great way to decompress and not have to worry about life.”
Powell High School directors make sure to put everything they have into selecting the perfect play so both the audience and the cast fall in love with it. The actors and actresses put in a tremendous amount of time preparing.
“The musical and play is an incredible show that the school puts on, and not just for the community, but for the cast too,” sophomore Vivienne Dodd said. “We spend so much time working on costumes, props, tech, lines, and music. I really appreciate all the work that we put into the musical, and because everyone is together all the time to put this together, the cast builds into a family. I love the community we made in drama, and it is truly incredible how close you can get to people in such a short span of time.”
“Alice by Heart” may seem a little unusual, but the students participating love the play. It combines a hard subject like World War II with the interesting atmosphere of a “Wonderland.” Although it might seem a little odd, the play will surely be very entertaining.
“I’m looking forward to all the dancing and the wackiness of the play,” sophomore Joseph Bott said. “Alice by Heart” is this really fast-paced, anxious telling of a story everyone has heard with its own type of ‘Aliceness’. I think it’ll be really fun! Theatre is a chance to tell a story, to show what else could be if we try to imagine more. It’s a statement that we could be anything we want, even a magic cat or stoner caterpillar.”
Performances can be very fulfilling. Putting so much work and effort into it, and watching others enjoy it is a feeling like no other.
“The main reason I love performing is because it gives me room to express myself through a different character,” senior Elaina Kousoulos said. “It’s honestly such a good escape from all the stressful situations life throws at you, and I love to leave a little part of myself in each show. The second reason I love performing is because I love to entertain and see other people happy. I love the rush of adrenaline opening night, and it’s so exhilarating knowing that I put the smile on the audience’s faces.”
