Staff Writer
Paige Wilson
Most Coppell students never experience the commotion of preparing for Coppell High School theater productions. Usually, they only see the finished product and hear about late-night practices. But practices are just one part of the theater mayhem one of the craziest part of all is the auditions. This year, head director Lisa Tabor is directing the musical comedy “Anything Goes”.
The musical takes place on an ocean liner where numerous love triangles create a dramatic plot and funny antics.
“It’s a cute play”, Tabor said. “It has your traditional boy- meets- girl, something happens and then boy- ends- up- with- girl at the end. It’s a fun play.”
Auditions were held on Sept 1-2. Unlike typical theater auditions, consisting only of an acting audition, musical auditions require participants to also sing and dance.
Auditions began with people rushing in to the auditorium. Freshmen hung back, new to the whole process, while upperclassmen grouped with friends. Tabor started by informing the students about the hectic practices and sarcastically teased, “I own you for the next eight weeks”. Some chuckled, while others realized the gravity of the situation and panicked.
Tabor quickly went through how auditions would work and divided students into three groups.
The majority knew what the play was about and who they would try out for if they went to the workshop over the summer. The workshop introduced the musical and went over all of the music they would need to know for the audition. However, for the small amount who did not attend the workshop risked falling farther behind.
Round one: Acting.
Students had 10 minutes to practice a skit with a partner and then step out on stage and perform.
“It’s not as bad as it sounds,” junior Judy Hong said. “Ms.Tabor is really nice and tries to make you feel as calm as possible, but for first timers it can become a little stressful.”
Round two: dancing. In a group, students learn a quick jazz and tap routine from CHS senior and choreographer, Kim Dalrymple.
“Dance is such a foreign thing that many people aren’t use to,” Dalrymple said. “I remember my freshmen year I was too afraid to try out. In my eyes these freshmen are ahead of me. I also think having a fellow student teach them really makes them feel comfortable.”
Round three: Singing. The students went into the mens varsity choir room where they waited to stand up on their own and sing in front of all their peers.
“It’s kind of intimidating standing up in front of all your peers and singing” Hong said.
For some, the stress does not end with the main audition. On Sept 3rd call backs begin. The few who were called back went through some of the audition steps again for Tabor to help her make her final decision.
On Sept 4, the cast list was posted. Judy Hong was not able to get the part she originally set out for which was Erma, but was extremely happy to be in the play as a member of the chorus.
“I did not get the part I really wanted, but I was excited to at least make the play. There were a lot of good people auditioning and I was happy to be able to just be a part of it,” Hong said.
Main roles will be played by senior Dina Smith, she will play the main female character Reno and junior Mackenzie Orr will play main male character Billy.
