Most HMHS students are aware of the upcoming play, Clue, being put on by their peers, but few know what goes on in the weeks leading up to the drama department’s performances. Two members of the drama club, Emily Seligman and Millie Sherly, were shadowed during rehearsals. Emily plays Yvette, the loyal French maid of Mr. Body, and Millie is on the prop crew, helping to make all the small details the audience sees in the show. Cast and crew have been working relentlessly since the second week of school, sometimes staying for three to four hours for rehearsal, making sure they perform the best show possible. 

When shadowing Emily Seligman, the cast came in after their half day at three o’clock to rehearse. Due to the crew not being present, the cast had to move the props themselves, and even while moving into other scenes, they all stayed in character. All of the actors clearly put dedication into memorizing their lines and elevating the characters. In addition to long rehearsals, they smooth out any important scenes before rehearsals. Emily explained, “We didn’t do it today because of the schedule, but we usually run combat call before every rehearsal to make sure all of the fight scenes look good.” All of the cast members worked very well together, supporting each other and helping each other when someone forgot a line. The entire cast has put so much effort into the production. Just by viewing one rehearsal, it was clear they were all extremely prepared despite the two being two weeks out.

The show wouldn’t be able to perform without the crew, who spent the afternoon making props and decorating sets. Millie explained that they spend a minimum of an hour and a half after school focusing on the small details in the show, attempting to make everything as realistic as possible. During tech week, crew stays even longer than usual, with rehearsals that can go as long as four hours. All crew members put others before the show and themselves, offering to help anyone who needed it and explaining the work behind the scenes. They have to reuse old props from previous shows, causing them to repaint almost everything you see in the show. Every set and prop is thought out, carefully painted, and made sure it looks right to produce the best product possible.

Come see Clue on Wednesday the 22nd, for an afternoon show, and Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th for an evening show. Ticket prices for students and senior citizens are $12.00 plus a tax of $1.50, and adults are $15.00 plus a tax of $1.50. Ms. Secondino would like to inform viewers that there are gunshots and strobe lights in the production. The drama department would also like to inform students that they are holding a haunted house on Tuesday, the 28th.