16
N the Red
March 10, 2020
Musical mix-up
School production features new staff, direction Carter Hanefeld
W
hanefcar000@hsestudents.org
ith a new director, choreographers, sets and theme, this year’s musical production of “The Addams Family” has been transformed. “It’s really important that you have a clear vision of what you’re trying to communicate to the audience,” new theater teacher and director Anna Nickell said. “The director has to come up with the concept for everything.” Nickell has been teaching for nine years, and has directed for just as long. Not only is she bringing experience as a director, but she is familiar with “The Addams Family” as well, having directed it during her tenure at Decatur Central High School. Furthermore, her experience helps aid production both on and behind the stage. “Nickell is able to help with tech and is also e tremely e ible hen it comes to giving us time to run what we need to run,” junior Alli Bufkin said. Certain things may be different under the ne director, there are still similarities in producing a musical. or e ample, one benefit has al ays been the crossover between show choir and the musical, and this year is no different.
Junior Madelynn Ayen, freshman Cory Wilcher, junior Margaret Delong, junior Jacob Schilling, junior Kierre Rodriguez, senior Aidan Lucas and freshman Trey Weger line up during the song “When You’re an Addams” at musical practice on Feb. 26. Photo by Carter Hanefeld.
1
“Show choir certainly helps in terms of talent and also prepares students for various aspects of performing in a musical,” Nickell said. While show choir and the musical have a similar skill requirement, there is also an overlap in production this year. Contrary to previous years, the musical is being held in the spring, which coincides with show choir season. “It’s putting more pressure on everyone and slowing down the quickness of getting things right,” Bufkin said. “Cast and crew in both the musical and show choir are at school late for basically two and a half months, and personally, I haven’t been able to do as much as I wanted [with the tech crew].” hough doing both activities fills up more time, the people involved still know how to look past the stress and keep enjoying what they are a part of. “Those who are in both show choir and the musical are more stressed,” junior Margaret Delong, who plays Wednesday Addams, said. “But staying motivated and remembering why you love each and every thing you do is a great way to keep going.” “The Addams Family” will debut on March 27, 28 and 29 in the auditorium.
