Cinderella Musical: Behind the Scenes

It all begins when the director, Nate Sawyer, producer, Gabrielle MacIver, the theatre manager and the team of music directors, consult with Matt Guerard, one of the A.P.s and proposes an idea for a play and presents why it is fitting for the school, while considering the features of the cast and community interests; It falls into a pattern of a modern show followed by a classic show. In particular, this fall the BHS theatre community came together to form their own version of the classic play Cinderella. 

Upon approval by Mr. Guerard, a script is purchased and a license is obtained in order to perform. From there, a direction is decided by the director, Nate Sawyer, who is the primary influence and plays a key role in the final formation. At the start of the next school year, the ball rolls into action – auditions are held for cast and interviews begin for crew. There is a choreography day, the cast practices singing and solos and a creative chaos ensues. Many decisions are made and unmade, the performance is raw and unorganized but the cast perseveres through a series of hardworking weeks with daily rehearsals. As a closing of each rehearsal, cast members are given feedback on their acts about what the producer and director deemed worked well and did not. 

Through the teamwork of all those involved, including the director, producer, backstage crew, and acting cast, a unique interpretation and rendering of a famous classic is made. Working through the limitations of a high school, they must work through various setbacks and invoke their own problem solving skills. Oftentimes, they will create their own props and costumes with preowned materials to work within the set. Everyone is aware of their own required contributions – if they are expected to put out the fliers for marketing, if they are responsible for moving the walls around as part of crew, or if they are putting in the time to paint the scenery on the set, no matter what it is, all those involved put in full effort to produce something they can be proud of and those watching are entertained thus forming the BHS Cinderella.