Excitement fills the cafeteria as the cast and crew get settled for rehearsal. Voices buzz and lively chatter can be heard from the hallways. Backpacks are strewn all around the tables as the musical members listen to the day’s agenda. The crew gathers for their biweekly practice to prepare for their production of Cinderella, the Musical.

The audience always sees the final performance. But behind the scenes of Cinderella, Longfellow’s spring musical, are hours of work and effort put in by the cast members.

The production began with auditions in mid-February to find a cast and crew. It was difficult for Ms. Barry to decide who to select, since everyone proved their worth and practiced hard for their performance. Soon after finding actors for the musical, they got to work. 

Rehearsals are two to three times a week, and the team is continuing their hard work to get ready for opening night on May 15. At rehearsals, the crew starts right away from the top. They run through the entire play, and periodically stop and fix their mistakes. Simultaneously, the cast is learning the songs, and movements for dance scenes. Actors and actresses are fitted for vibrant ball gowns, chef costumes, and elegant suits that fill the stage and give the musical life.

Ms. Barry is the director of the musical, and has been a theater and tech theater teacher at Longfellow for 15 years. The weeks prior to the show are always the busiest for the cast and crew. Ms. Barry has help from her student assistant, choreographers, and tech director Ms. Talmadge. 

“A couple weeks before the show it’s always really stressful,” Ms Barry said. “ [But In the end] they always pull it together, and it’s great,” Ms. Barry said.

Assistant Stage Manager in Training, seventh-grader Xin S, helps Ms. Barry keep track of small details, and plan. The production is no easy task, as small problems can quickly get bigger.

“There’s a huge team, and a lot of people have different ideas,” Xin said. “So it conflicts when they have to make decisions.”  

On the tech side, Ms. Talmadge leads the stage crew; teaching students how to manage the equipment and set up the props. Seventh-grader Mia F, who is a choreographer, helps teach the dances. “We usually pick something that will be easy for the entire group of dancers, and I usually take them to the back. And then we start teaching them the choreography,” Mia said.

Ms. Barry believes theater benefits students on and off the stage. “[Students learn] confidence, leadership, teamwork, flexibility, and adaptation, and so many life skills in theater,” Ms. Barry explained. The students have had to stay focused through all the late nights and myriad rehearsals, and have formed friendships, making their experience worthwhile, and unforgettable. 

The musical has many cast and crew members who are willing to get the work done and create something of their own. “It’s the fact that we can get through a lot of things, and all of the actors and crew are amazing… Everybody has their own sense of style,” Xin said.

The cast is looking forward to performing, and their message to Longfellow is that it’s something to look forward to. “I’m excited to watch  [Cinderella] come to life when the little pieces are put together,” Ms. Barry rejoiced.