PRODUCTION: Poly’s first theater performance of the year is the culmination of months of hard work.
By Emma Carson, Staff Writer
Poly’s first musical of the year, Godspell, opened on November 6, 2015, and was shown through November 14. This musical is not only the first theatre production of the year but is the first musical directed by Theatre Arts teacher, Ms. Leesa Rankins.
Preparation for the show started with casting in June. Once the roles were determined, Rankins asked the actors to memorize lines and lyrics over the summer. Choreography and rehearsals started during the beginning of the school year, and the cast has been practicing up until now.
The show took on an additional meaning because it was the first musical Ms. Rankins had ever produced. Her novel approach to directing has given the theatre students a look at the difference between other musicals in the past. “It has been quite an experience, a great learning experience. I’ve really enjoyed it and I’m glad to stretch myself and do something new,” Rankins said.
Rankins and the cast aren’t the only ones working to make the show great. The choreography director, Matthew Schouten (12), choir teacher Mrs. Kristen Walton and Theatre Arts teacher Mr. Christopher MarkerMorse have helped Rankins with dance, song and direction of the show, respectively.
This production has marked a true collaboration among different disciplines at Poly. The art department helped with the art in the set, the video production class made a video to accompany the show and the audio productions class digitalized all the music. “All of it has been a wonderful experience and the best part is the people I work with. It’s just been such a collaborative team effort from so many people on this campus. It’s really been a good experience,” Rankins said.