playbill vip

Oliver! has always held a special place in my heart. I was able to be in a production of it at Miller Outdoor Theatre as a young person, and I can still remember each and every cast member and the individual personalities they brought to the show. This cast is no different. A motley crew of theatre lovers, these kids bring passion, drive, energy, and enthusiasm to their roles. Each and every person onstage is a unique and integral cog in the works of this musical. We started out the rehearsal process a group of classmates and some strangers; amateur theatre lovers and many complete novices. We are now finishing as a tight-knit group of artists.

I wanted to incorporate some steam punk aspects to the design of this production. Just as every member of our cast is a cog in the machine of this play, the hard-working lower class of Victorian London worked to drive the Industrial Revolution. People were expected to be machines, and were often treated as less than dirt. I feel that the steam punk fashions embody the hard lines and rough edges of these people, while also giving each one a distinguishing flair. They also are outfitted with the gear which befits their daily struggle - corsets become body armour, jewelry becomes shackles, and weapons become jewelry.

I would like to thank St. Thomas Episcopal School for welcoming me so quickly and generously. I feel loved, trusted, and revered after just a few short months. I am looking forward to many more years in this tight-knit community.

Lauren Pastorek, aka Miss P