Voices from the High School will always and forever hold a special place in my heart. Not only do I believe it transcends time and place, speaking to all generations of teenagers out there, but also--it was the first time I ever took the stage in my own high school career. I put every ounce of energy I had as a freshman in high school into my roles as Bobby and Jimmy. These roles tested my abilities as a performer, and I was forever changed from that moment forward. When I took over as Theatre Arts Director at RHS, I knew I had to bring Voices to my own stage.
What I didn't expect was how amazingly different the show would look with this group of performers. They have worked tirelessly to bring this barage of scenes from script to stage, all while having fun in the process. It's 2016, and while I hold steadfast in my belief that this show is utterly timeless, I also believe setting our version in the 1980s was the best choice possible. The fashion, the music, the decade of decadence: I'm OBSESSED with the 80s. My students not only accepted this creative venture, but they also took it to the brink--by far surpassing any and all expectations I had for this production (aka- "The Little Production That Could").
The set is simple: a busy hallway in "Any" High School in the world. This was done purposefully (and executed amazingly by Vinny Martinucci and his tubular set crew) in order to bring to the forefront the real focal point of the play: the voices from the high school. The scenes and monologues in this play represent real kids everywhere who are just trying to make sense of the world they live in, and the world ahead of them. Their voices are made even more tripindicular in our version courtesy of the original and stupendous costume designs of sophomore Makenna Brown, and the assistance of co-costume and make-up student leader, junior Sarah Woolsey. Those props you see which also help make this show more realistic? None other than our very own Jane of All Trades: Serena Sorajjakool. She inspires me every day because no matter what task you give her, she not only gets it done, but also does it before you even have to ask sometimes. As a director, I love this!
The lighting design and sound effects (bodaciously compiled by Zach Simons and his far out lights and sound crew, headed by senior Quinn Schuster) help breathe even more life into the stories of these students. Emotional scenes make you want to cry, upbeat scenes make you wish these were your friends in school, and the soundtrack makes you want to break out the 8-track and bust a move to our mix-tape of 80s hits. Did I mention each track you hear this evening is brought to you courtesy of our cast and crew? That's right, they not only act and crew, they keep up with fantastic 80s tunes that keep us groovin' throughout the show.
