The play’s the thing, and now it’s Into the Woods

The room was filled with chemistry projects precariously balanced on desks, sharing space with anxious singers and actors mumbling over folded and re-folded pieces of paper, hands waving and faces contorting to one emotion or another.

Thursday marked the second round of auditions for the upcoming AMSA musical Into the Woods, attracting a range of students from 6th graders with no experience in theatre to senior veterans who have been in drama for years.

Tenley Cox, a 6th grader, said she was drawn to auditions after seeing previous plays and musicals at AMSA such as You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; The Matchmaker; and The Sound of Music.

Lauren Williams, also in 6th grade, was trying for the role of Rapunzel. “I love singing,” she said. “I’m in a band. And when I saw A Christmas Carol, I was inspired [to audition].”

Sam Frechette, a sophomore, has been in drama for three years.

“I like doing the plays and I figured I’d try out for a musical,” he said, absently playing “Seven Nation Army” on the ukulele he brought for his audition. “I’m not a very good singer, so I’m compensating with a ukulele.”

Asked to elaborate, Sam simply began playing “Smoke on the Water.”

In the hallway outside chemistry teacher Christine Crocker’s room (Ms. Crocker is the drama club’s faculty adviser), hopeful and nervous students practiced their monologues and songs with each other. Notably, the chatter was very friendly and the atmosphere warm, if somewhat anxious.

“[The people in theatre seem] really enthusiastic,” said Patrick Tan, a freshman who is new to drama at AMSA. “Just being here—it’s exciting.”

Said senior and four-year drama veteran Lorena Venades, “I love the creative atmosphere. Everyone is so friendly. It’s really great to be a part of something like this.”

Some even likened it to a family atmosphere.

“[My favorite part is] the rehearsals where we’re all figuring out characters together,” senior Rhiannon Gentile said.

As hopefuls emerged from Ms. Crocker’s room after their auditions, some looked queasy, some nervous, some elated.

“[I feel] really good. A lot more relaxed,” said 8th grader Corben Bowen.

Sam said he was told to skip his monologue and go straight to his song.

“I pull out my ukulele and they start laughing,” he said, “because I’m a big person [6-foot-5] with a very small guitar. They said it was awesome, though.”

Ryan Gonor, the artistic director for AMSA’s drama club, explained that the deciding process after auditions are finished is a difficult one.

His musical director, Allie Sebeika, said what they look for is “how you hold yourself, your acting skills, your vocal strengths, your choice of song and monologue, and how that choice highlights your strengths.”

Sam impressed enough to land the role of Cinderella’s Prince.

“It’s very difficult because so many people would be wonderful,” Ms. Sebeika added. “But we have to match people to roles and fill them well.”

All casting decisions were posted Friday, and the musical will be put on sometime in the spring.

Lauren missed out on Rapunzel, which went to freshman Sarah Fisher. Rhiannon figured out characterization well enough to be cast as the Witch, while Emily Sheffield landed Cinderella, Amelia Kalagher the Baker’s Wife, and Sam Commito the Baker.

“We’re so pumped [for Into the Woods] and for the next two years,” Mr. Gonor said.