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PERFORMING ARTS
October 16, 2009 • THE ARROW
Drama students ham it up for Nov. play
Becky Sadwick Opinion Editor With the WHS Theatre under construction, the Drama Department is putting Shakespeare’s famous words “all the world’s a stage” to work as they rehearse their upcoming play Love of a Pig. The added difficulties of not being able to experiment with staging and volume in rehearsals have not deterred the cast members in their quest to put on a successful show at Thousand Oaks High School in Nov. “It’s different because we don’t have a theatre. It’s harder because we can’t hear our voices in the theatre where we perform,” said Kevin Commons ‘10. Dylan Wakelin ‘12, agreed that it is more difficult to prepare while practicing in the band room. “We miss our theatre!” he said. Sharing what was the band room is also a challenge for the theatre department. A new band room was created from the renovated auto shop, where the band is now supposed to meet for rehearsals. Director Catherine Conti selected the play for the drama club’s fall production “based on the fact that we don’t have a theatre, and this play requires a minimal set.” She was also attracted to the play “because the humor is accessible to students and we don’t have a lot of time to prepare.” The fact that it was also written by local playwright Leslie Caveny was yet another added incentive. Love of a Pig is a fast-paced, upbeat comedy with a slightly unusual set-up: all the supporting cast remains on stage and jumps up from chairs to show the main character’s transition from reality. It follows a high school girl with a story line similar to that of the 2001 romantic comedy Bridget Jones’s Diary. Westlake’s version of the play was adapted from the original that made its New York debut Oct. 12. It follows a girl content with most aspects of her life, aside from relationships with boys.
PHOTO BY IRIS YAN
FOR THE LOVE OF A THEATRE: Drama club’s cast of Love of a Pig bonds while preparing for its Nov. performance.
Jordan Myrick ’11, a new WHS student, plays the main character. Conti cast her in the role although she has no experience acting at Westlake because she believed Myrick stood out as the best fit for the part. “Seniority doesn’t rule,” explained Conti. “I cast the best person for the part every time regardless of past participation in productions because the real world is like that and I want to prepare them for it,” she continued. Kevin Commons added that although he was a lead in the last production and involved in theatre since his freshman year, he was cast as an understudy for the upcoming show.
Adapting quickly to their new rehearsal space, cast members are confident they can successfully prepare for the show. Conti has established an “excellent working relationship with Joe Donia,” who is responsible for the Drama Department at Thousand Oaks High School. WHS will also have the support of TO’s technical theatre class to build the sets even before they arrive in Nov. to begin run-throughs in the theatre. “It’s a blessing to work with the theatre department there,” said Conti, who knows Donia because he was her drama teacher when she attended Thousand Oaks High School. The comedy runs Nov. 5-7 at TOHS’s theatre.
“Love of a Pig”
Performance Dates: Nov. 5 7 pm Nov. 6 7 pm Nov. 7 2 and 7 pm Purchase tickets at the door or from a cast member Location:
Thousand Oaks High School
Sykora “A Class Act” performer
Marika Price Performing Arts Editor Raw talent cannot be aquired or forced, but is rather a natural ability admired by performers and spectators. Chelsea Sykora ‘10 is the epitome of talent with a striking, powerful voice and a personality that shines onstage. Performing is not a new concept to Sykora. She has been in the spotlight since age five and is energized by the audiences and bright lights. “All those stories that performers tell you about adrenaline and the feeling are true. You forget the stresses and the things that bring you down and you just become... a performer.” Immersing herself in the plays she participates in, Sykora craves a storyline that gives her the freedom to show different sides of her personality. Her favorite show to be a part of was “Seussical” because she had the chance to show her “sassiness.” Singing is not only a passion, but also a significant commitment in Sykora’s life. She participates in Vocal Ensemble and A Class Act which has offered many opportunities to gain experience, but also adds two extra periods to her already heavy schedule. With four AP classes and volunteer activities, Sykora unsurprisngly finds the balance difficult to manage. She explained, “People don’t understand that you don’t just have a performance here and there. You have to practice every
PERFECT PITCH: Sykora sings in harmony at a local theatre performance.
day and go to lessons every week.” Putting on a show is a long and hectic process, but in Sykora’s eyes is “more than worth it in the end.” The multi-talented performer also excels in piano which she has been playing for thirteen years. Although becoming a concert pianist is not Skyora’s main goal, she realizes the benefits of having more than one skill. “While I’m pursuing musical theatre I can do jobs on the side with my piano abilities. And earn some pretty decent money.” Thinking ahead, Sykora is not naive to the increasingly competitive entertainment industry. Sykora’s talent is clearly bound for a promising future in the arts, but she doesn’t underestimate the value in an education. She hopes to major in musical theatre and either double major or minor in biology too. “ I want both the arts and academics in my life. I don’t want to choose.” A more than well- rounded student like Sykora shouldn’t have to. Sykora’s dream is not vague or blurry, she knows exactly the career she wishes to pursue and where she sees herself in ten years. “In a perfect world, I’ll have a college degree and hopefully be starring in musicals on broadway. That would be the ultimate.” Humility and star power is a rare combination to come by and Sykora’s determination is on track to reaching her dreams.
COURTESY PHOTO