Carterville High Schools theater department put on an excellent production of “Titanic” from November 15-17. The show focuses on the sinking of the ship as a historical tragedy, featuring characters with names and backstories of actual passengers aboard the ship.
The play follows the ship’s journey, all the way from when it leaves its dock in Southampton, England to its eventual sinking in the North Atlantic Ocean. The script does not follow a specific character as the protagonist, but rather shows small scenes of everyday life aboard the ship and focuses on the separation between the different social and economical classes of the time period, known as first, second, and third class passengers
“It was really interesting to learn about my character’s background,” says Alyssa Nausley, a senior at Carterville High School who participated in the play this year, “It definitely helped me get into character during practices.”
During rehearsals, a hair and makeup crew helps actors embody the dress and fashions of the era with elaborate costumes. They prepare actors with stage makeup as well before they take their place in the spotlight. These rehearsals span from the time the play is announced in October all the way through until the highly anticipated “tech week” in mid November. According to Nausley, being a part of the production is “definitely worth it” despite the long hours and late nights involved.
During each and every rehearsal, actors, stage crew, light crew, and teachers all come together and put forth their best efforts to make the play, in the words of theater department director Mr. Hall, “worth coming to see.”
Their efforts are supplemented by the Carterville Creators club as well as the set building class under the direction of Mr. Schlabach and Mr. Breedan, respectively. Both of these groups work to create sets and props for the play which the actors will use onstage.
Rehearsals took up much of students’ time while production is in progress “It can be pretty hectic and stressful,” says Abbygail Ballard, a senior and stage manager for this years play, “especially as opening night approaches, it can feel like there’s just a million things that need to be done and not enough time to do any them.”
The entire cast and crew works exceptionally well under this pressure, as they continue to pull off an outstanding show year after year, united by their desire to make each production the best it can be.
