By Julia Schultz
As many of the theatre fans know, Broadway has been dark for the past few months and will stay dark for months to come. This has been devastating to actors and audiences around America.
But, Mahomet Seymour High School is pleased to say they will be performing this fall.
The Mahomet Seymour High School Drama Club is performing the play “Cauldron Bubble” by Brian Daly for their Fall Play this year.
“Cauldron Bubble” is a comedy about an English class of ‘misfits’ that put on Shakespeare’s Macbeth. A curse falls upon the play and craziness ensues.
Chris Taber, the director of the Fall Play, chose “Cauldron Bubble” with help from the MSHS Thespian Officers.
This year, due to COVID regulations, the Fall Play will be a virtual/social distant experience.
“It was difficult to find a play that lended itself to social distancing onstage. The kids decided this one seemed as if it’d be fun to do, so here we are,” Taber said.
Auditions this year were different from years past.
“We had students film themselves and send it in, then had callbacks via ZOOM. This year’s play has a smaller cast than in years past, trying to make sure there weren’t many people onstage at one time, so it was difficult to narrow down.” Taber said, “I definitely thought about who was able to show emotion through their eyes and body, since everyone will be wearing masks.”
Ultimately, Kyle Widener secured the lead of the show this year.
“[He] is our lead character ‘Spencer,’ who has many monologues and is onstage the entire time. Kyle is a senior and has a lot of experience onstage.” Taber said, “I knew he could carry the show!”
The Fall Play has 19 actors and 12 crew members this year.
Taber finalized the cast on September 18 and “started online ZOOM rehearsals the following week.
“After ZOOM rehearsals for several weeks, we got the go-ahead to have rehearsals in the auditorium on the stage.” Taber said, “To adhere to COVID safety guidelines, we staggered most rehearsals so that the entire cast was rarely together at the same time.”
Emma Beddow, a senior playing Ms. Stein in the play said, “I’m so proud of this cast and crew for staying so positive and being so creative through these hard times.”
It’s clear that MSHS drama is looking quite different this year. But Taber expresses how doing some form of drama, even in these circumstances, is extremely important for everyone involved.
“I knew we’d all be learning a new way to ‘do theatre’ and it was scary and uncertain, but so many of these kids really need it in their lives.” Taber said, “I knew we had to do something for them.”
The actors and actresses are very excited that the play was happening this year.
“I am just so grateful to our director, Mrs. Taber, our drama sponsor, Mrs. Henriksen, the drama boosters, and everyone involved has been able to make this play a possibility this year.” said Beddow, acting this year, “has definitely expanded my acting skills.”
This year, “Cauldron Bubble” will be a recorded experience.
“We will be filming this coming week (9th-13th). Then our videographer will spend the following week editing it” said Taber.
“We always want the audience to get wrapped up in the story and enjoy the actors’ performances…There’s a bond that forms between the performers and the viewer”
If you are interested in viewing “Cauldron Bubble”, please visit mshsdrama.anywhereseat.com to purchase a ticket. Tickets are $12 and start streaming on November 20th at 7 pm. A ticket gives you access to the play though December 4.
“It’s really exciting and I can’t wait to see it all come together, so I hope this show brings a little love and joy into people’s lives during this hard time” said Beddow.
