This fall, St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes Upper School is putting on “You Can’t Take it With You,” a comedy set (and written) in the 1930s. It tells the story of Alice Sycamore and her fiancé, Tony Kirby, on the ridiculous evening when their two very different families meet each other. The uptight Kirbys are innocently unaware that their time with the kooky Sycamores will include snakes, Russians, and a few FBI agents.
The Performing Arts Department wasted no time on preparations for this year’s fall play. Auditions were held early last month and drew a number of drama veterans as well as several newcomers to Upper School theater, including a few new to the Upper School itself. Though not without anxiety, tryouts can be an exhilarating experience that can be enjoyed by all regardless of final casting decisions.
Auditions consist of acting out a few different characters in three or four scenes of the actor’s choice. This takes place on the Black Box stage in front of Upper School theater directors Mr. Marvin and Ms. Hunt. General tryouts last two days, with a few called back to be looked over for a third day. Actors are assigned several different roles, and together they improvise a conversation between the characters. Although seemingly an intimidating feat, it typically ends in laughter. This year, several auditioners got the chance to improvise Gay Wellington, an intoxicated character who passes out on stage for most of Acts I and II.
Auditions are a lot like athletic pre-season. They give the actor an opportunity not only to perform, but also to get to know each other. According to Senior and fifth-time auditioner Natalie Kauppi (’07), “You couldn’t get through [auditions] without each other’s support.” Most of the time at official tryouts is spent hanging out with friends, those familiar at the beginning and those made familiar by the third day. “Let’s explore the anxiety of putting yourself on the spot,” said Mr. Marvin, the man responsible for choosing, casting, and directing our Upper School productions. “Most people are nervous, but tryouts bring out the best in them. Everyone’s interacting, the old helping the new.”
This year’s cast is largely made up of Seniors and Juniors, with one sophomore (Katie McLean, ’09) and a single freshman (Chris Luggerio, ’10).
For those not cast, it is most certainly not the end. There are dozens of roles that have yet to be filled: light and sound designers and operators, set designers, set builders, stage managers, prop managers, ticket salespeople, ushers, the running crew. After all, they all go to the same cast party in the end.