Students, staff, and families came out to see the VHS production of Shrek this year, but did anyone stop to wonder what goes into making a musical?

The process starts out with auditions. Anyone interested in being a part of the musical, has to sing a song in front of our three directors, Mrs. Young (director), Mrs. Williams (choreographer), and Mrs. Schreier. After the singing portion is finished, students run lines from the script. A few days later the cast list is posted.

Once the cast list is up, rehearsals begin. Rehearsals last for 1-3 hours. In the beginning the rehearsals are shorter and usually 2-3 times a week. As it gets closer to show time, the rehearsals go until 6:30pm, and they meet every day. The first rehearsals focus on learning the music. Mrs. Schreier helps teach the harmonies, enunciation, and singing techniques. By learning the music first, it is easier to then move on and learn the choreography, which is the next step in the process. Mrs. Williams choreographs the dance scenes, while Mrs. Young blocks any speaking scenes.

Once individual scenes are blocked, the cast starts to run through the show without stops. This helps get the feel for the actual performance, and helps the cast and crew learn the transitions. As the play is approaching, the cast and crew get together on weekends to start building the set. Set builds normally take place on a Saturday and last from 9am to 4pm. Activities include drilling, and painting set pieces. This year the set was more complex than previous VHS shows. It took four set builds to complete everything. “I liked having a big set that we’ve never had before…it was like a Broadway show”, said Senior Austin Williams who played Shrek.

Between auditions and play time, there’s a lot that can get in the way. Two years ago the cast of Little Shop of Horror needed more rehearsal time; they rehearsed over break in the Temple Congregation Beth Ahm. This year the weather was the major issue; as Mrs. Young always says, “Mother Nature hates the theatre.” The cast of Shrek lost seven rehearsals due to snow.

The week before the show, known as tech week, is when the cast runs through the show with costumes, make-up, and microphones. These rehearsals also include the pit band, which plays the music under the direction of Mrs. Schreier. Stage crew and lighting are also present. What’s the worst part about tech week? “There is never enough time…if only there was one more rehearsal”, Mrs. Young joked, “Although it works out in the end.”

Opening night, the cast shows up about two and a half hours before show time. They hang out backstage and set up any props or costumes they will need for the show. They also use this time to get microphones and put on their make-up. About an hour before the show, the cast does a physical warm-up followed by a vocal warm-up. Then the cast is ready to perform, the lights go up, and it is show time.