by Ivey McDaniel | Staff Writer
Theatre, meet southern hospitality. As the department prepares for an exciting year of performances, they plan to start the season off with “Luann Hampton Laverty Oberlander”, by Preston Jones. The comedy is set in the backwaters of a small West Texas town, and has proven an exciting experience for the entire cast and crew.
“‘Luann’ is about the central character, Luann’s, life. It goes through three stages: from a teenager to a woman to a mature mother, and it highlights her ups and downs,” junior Monica Jiminez said.
Aside from the creating of sets, practicing lines, and creating the appropriate tech additions, crafting characters that aged a decade with each act proved to be a challenging obstacle for the department.
“The first act is set in the 50’s, the second in the 60’s, and the last one is in the 70’s. The characters have to age, and we had to make that distinctive with makeup and costume changes,” theatre teacher Suzanne Martin said.
The play will be performed from Oct. 6 to 8 at 7 PM daily, and on Oct. 9 at 2 PM in the Johnson auditorium. Tickets will be six dollars pre-sale and eight dollars at the door.
“Martin had to cut it, especially because some parts may not have been appropriate. There’s an intermission, and I would cry if there wasn’t. The play is probably going to be around one and a half to two hours,” Jiminez said
Preparing for the play has been a collaborative effort. Not only have the actors been rehearsing their lines, but the set crew and the entire department have been working hard.
“We will have posters out that Lisa Mitler designed, and we will have announcements on simulcast. The cast is working hard to build the set. We even have a whole Saturday dedicated to the tech crew. It’s all for one and one for all,” Martin said.
Preparing for those four days of performances is evidently a priority for the entire department. Striving for perfection and giving up time after school has been a price the cast has been willing to pay.
“Auditions were the first week of school, and rehearsals for ‘Luann’ started the second week on Monday! So yes; practice, practice, practice, even on the weekends! Sometimes not only the cast, but also the crew. Everyone in the play is somehow involved in the department,” Jiminez said
‘Luann’ aside, the theatre department is planning on a jam-packed season of entertainment.
“You can expect an exciting season, such as our musical, ‘Working’, and hopefully an award-winning one act play,” Jiminez said.
The entire department overall is excited to get their first play out, and are already looking into the future.
“There are always going to be ups and downs while preparing for a play. However, it’s how we handle it, overcome it, and the overall performance which defines us and helps us grow as a department.I hope to grow as an actress, gain experience, and share some unforgettable memories and grow closer to my department,” Jiminez said. “We have worked so hard and Johnson students should come, have a great time, and enjoy all of our performances. We are so proud of our department.”
