By: Cassidy Lockhart
Theater has been a staple of Federal Hocking for years now. Many students can recall watching the Drama Club perform “A Christmas Carol” throughout the years. The club typically does a seasonal play and then a special one, with this year’s being “This Murder Was Staged”.
The very first performance is on Friday, April 10th at 12:00 p.m. for invited middle and high school students, but later at 6:00 p.m. there will be a public performance. The next show is on April 11th at 6:00 p.m. again, and then final show is Sunday, April 12th at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $5 a person for each showtime, but the Friday daytime show for students is no charge.
The play follows a murder investigation as the characters and audience try to figure out who committed the atrocious crime. The murder takes place during the murder mystery play within the play. Despite being a murder mystery, it is a very comedic play. Things will stay pretty light hearted and fun, but there is a light drizzle of profanity throughout. There is also a bit of violence and bullying, but nothing is ever super serious or intense.
The cast is having a lot of fun with this production. One member in particular is Rilo Wilkes, who plays as Jason. Wilkes has had a lot of fun practicing and preparing for the big day.
“It’s really funny and all the people are relaxed.”
Wilkes has also admitted that while things are typically chill, tech week is pretty intense.
“Tech week has us staying at school until 7, the extra hours make things difficult”.
Fellow cast member Adam Gilchrist shares Wilkes sentiment about the extra hours being difficult, but Gilchrist seems to be adjusting a bit better.
“I don’t have as much free time as I used to, but I’m used to it.”
While Gilchrist often jokes about not knowing why he is in the play, he feels prepared to perform, and challenges anyone who doesn’t believe in his abilities.
“I feel like I am going to cook, but if you don’t think so, you can come watch on April 10th”.
Despite having to play two characters, Collin McPherson also feels like he’s very prepared to perform in front of everyone. McPherson also wants the world to know that those attending to watch are also suspects, that no one is truly safe from being accused. McPherson’s more prominent character Thornton Jackson is a character that he has a lot of fun playing.
“My character is an absolute dunce, so I get to be absolutely stupid all the time.”
Professional Teaching Intern Rowan Thompson can attest that rehearsals are going smoothly on the directorial sides as well. Thompson claims that the cast continues to surprise her and make her laugh despite hearing the same jokes so many times.
“There has not been a rehearsal where I have not been cackling, like out of my seat laughing.”
Once drama club leader and fellow director Ann Cell sent Thompson the play to pitch it, Thompson was hooked and instantly started thinking about who could play whom.
“We are both really big fans of murder mystery comedy, casting came to mind very early.”
Thompson also backs the claim that everything is running smoothly, and that everyone is ready to perform this weekend. Even with the big day being so close, the cast and crew are remaining calm and going steady through tech week.
The play has been deemed a fun and intriguing time by cast and crew alike. It’s a fun time and full of laughs and twists. So, if you’re bored over the weekend and you wish to watch an entertaining and exciting play, stop by Federal Hocking and see “This Murder Was Staged”.
