The Carterville school district experienced a blast from the past last week as the theater department performed “The Great Gatsby.” The play featured many different talents from every grade in the high school. From dance numbers to dramatic monologues the play featured all the roaring twenties inspired moments from the original book. In true roaring twenties fashion, the play featured two dance numbers featuring members of the school’s dance team.
Every scene offered a range of emotions from happy to sad to dramatic and intense. The show talks about serious issues that happen today and gives more insight on why these problems are bad.
The production took about 2 months to rehearse and perform. The actors went to many rehearsals learning lines and blocking scenes. During tech week the crew learned cues, how to most efficiently bring the set pieces on and off, and when the light cues are needed. After a couple of rough rehearsals the play was ready for its first official audience.
The cast and crew worked hard and developed a strong bond through the experience. “Working in light crew is like a family. The laughter, positivity, and encouragement is an awesome experience and it makes working in the show so much better, sophomore Charlotte Ogan said.
The first official audience was the intermediate school. While not as familiar with the plot of the well known book the show is from, the kids were introduced to the roaring twenties through the high emotion packed show.
The next audience was the third graders from the elementary school. They gave as much support as they could, clapping with enthusiasm after every scene. “Performing for the younger kids is always one of my favorite things to do. I love doing the shows hoping to inspire them to try out for theater when they are older,” junior Hannah Birappagari said.
The next day the high school students were the first audience of the day. They were the most familiar with the plot, especially the upper classmen. After a very brief lunch break for the cast and crew, they had to head backstage and get ready again for their final school performance. The junior high, while last were certainly not least. The cast and crew invigorated by lunch put on a high energy last school performance.
That same night the first public show began. While this was the third show in a day for the cast and crew, the show was performed with the same encouraged energy of the previous shows. An even bigger amount of energy was created during the last show with the cast and crew putting all of their energy into the final show. While the show, like any show, did receive some online criticism, the cast and crew pushed past the negativity and performed a great show for everyone to enjoy.
