Quotes from Our Cast
Director's Note: The students began working on
"Charlotte's Web" only four weeks [prior to the production]. We didn't
know if everything would come together, but with hard work and determination we
found that it could be done. "Charlotte's Web" is about many things:
friendship, a giving heart, sacrifice, love and living life to the fullest.
Early on in the rehearsal process we asked the cast members what they thought,
"Charlotte's Web," was about, and here is what some of the performers
came up with:
"Charlotte's Web is about a pig with a big heart" Benjamen (kazoo
choir)
"Life is easier when you work with a friend" Walter (fairgoer)
"Size doesn't matter in life. I know because, well, I'm not the biggest kid around" Spencer (Wilbur)
"Be brave, always." Elizabeth (member)
"Charlotte's Web is about living life to it's fullest, and never giving up." Annie (Fern)
"I think it's about a famous pig." Kaley (Goose)
The popularity of theater in middle school was demonstrated by the 150 students who signed up to try out for parts in the play. Students are shouldering a heavy rehearsal schedule given the short time until the performance date. This play typically allows for a 2 to 4 month rehearsal schedule, but will be studied and performed in just one. When Lydia, a seventh grader playing Charlotte, was asked about the difficulty of learning so many lines in such a short time, she quickly and confidently replied, "I can handle it." Having been in two plays as a sixth grader, we're sure she can, also.
Elizabeth, a 7th grader playing Martha Arable said, "we have a terrific cast who are all fun to work with and a great director!"
Margot, a 6th grader playing the sheep, said the hardest thing is "remembering all of the director's instructions for movements on the stage."
Lurvy, a.k.a. Michael, said, "I like being in front of people."
Danielle, a student director, said she had been in plays and musicals in school and church and wanted to try the directing side of things. She steps in and assists with lines when needed and serves as an "understudy for everybody."
