“What’s a Jabberwock?” This is a question the members of the West Potomac Theatre Department have been asking themselves since director Kathie McCormally announced the fall play, “Jabberwock.” The play tells the story of author James Thurber, known for his humorist writings and absurdist cartoons. “Jabberwock” takes place in the “fictional city” of Columbus, Ohio during World War I, highlighting Thurber’s adolescence. Living with a theatrical mother and confused grandfather who’s still stuck in the Civil War, Thurber gets inspiration for his future creativity. He is able to recognize the rest of the community as the jabberwocks they are and gets the courage to break out of that mold after a little push from a girl “kissing an ice-cream cone.”
“Jabberwock” forces the students to go beyond their comfort zones by creating bigger, more colorful characters including a 77-year-old grandfather, an alcoholic maid, and the doomsayer of the world. The show also requires a more intricate set than most high school productions; the entire Thurber house has to be visible onstage. Set head Mike Casey says, “This set is unique in that it is a suggestion of reality which mirrors the skewed nature of ‘Jabberwock.’” Props for “Jabberwock” have also been a difficult endeavor. With a property list over three pages long, props head Rachel Lear has a lot to cover. “Usually shows require simple set dressings, but “Jabberwock” uses a more interactive, realistic set that reaches out to the audience,” says Lear. However, the West Potomac backstage crew is able to utilize Saturday tech days to do the bulk of their work. From nine a.m. to two p.m., anywhere between 20 and 40 students are at West Potomac working on sets, lights, sound, props, costumes, and publicity.
The show, which is sure to draw large numbers of both high school students and local residents, is an excellent showcase of West Potomac’s talent.
THE WEST POTOMAC THEATRE DEPARTMENT is also searching for ways to build its numbers as well as its talent. Thespian Troupe 1899 has found new ways to reach out to the members of their school through a series of popular after school acting workshops. These workshops help students not involved with theatre to get to know the kids in the department and strengthen their acting abilities through games and scene work. Troupe 1899 is also working to build bridges to their local middle school, Carl Sandburg, is planning in-class and after-school sessions with Sandburg’s advanced acting class.
West Potomac will be putting on three other shows this year, tickets for all of which can be preordered in the same fashion. Call the West Potomac drama department at 703-718-2585 or e-mail them at wpdrama@cox.net. “Jabberwock” will be performed Nov. 15, 16, 17, and 18; a series of student-directed one-acts will be performed Jan. 17, 18, 19, and 20; the advanced theatre class will put on a play (TBA) Feb. 15, 16, 17, and 18; the spring musical (TBA) will be performed May 2, 3, 4, and 5.