1. What was your favorite moment in the Frankenstein script?

My favorite moment in the script is Elizabeth’s death scene. Not only was the scene so fun to perform, but I felt it conveyed the Gospel so beautifully not only through the words Elizabeth spoke to the monster, but also through the interactions the three characters have. The moment Elizabeth dies in the script and on stage is the moment when all good seems to be lost. She was the one person willing to love the monster and forgive Victor, an archetype of Jesus who loved the sinners and even died for them. I think it is a beautiful, somber, and moving moment.

2. What was your process for discovering Elizabeth?

My process for discovering Elizabeth was quite hard to find at first to tell the truth. The character has so many deep levels to her and I really had to deep dive into the script to pursue all of them. I like to method act so I really had to get into the mindset of Elizabeth, a woman who was orphaned and adopted by the Frankensteins, who formed a deep bond with and selfless love for Victor, who believes most strongly in forgiveness and self-sacrificial love. I had to put myself aside when on stage and take on the embodiments of Elizabeth. Her relationship with Victor is such a defining characteristic of the show as well, so forming that connection was incredibly important. Before going on stage, I would ask myself (in the character of Elizabeth) simple questions like “why do you love Victor,” “what do you think of his experiments,” “why do you feel this way about the Monster,” etc, and I would answer them in character in order to get in the mindset.

3. What was the most challenging scene for you to act?

The scene where Elizabeth first meets the monster and is amazed by the creation, yet Victor is horrified at what he has done and admits to the true cause of William’s death. This was probably my favorite scene to act but it did take the largest toll on me emotionally. Zebee and I had to show through this argument our relationship and the stark contrast of beliefs. When Elizabeth finds out that Victor’s creation killed William and that Victor willingly let Justine die for the act, there is a sudden change in her attitude at Victor which determines their relationship throughout the rest of the show. This break in trust hurts Elizabeth so much that she loses her temper with Victor yet still goes on with the marriage. It was challenging at first to find those emotional depths in the lines that I had, I had to really search for my subtext. That and my death scene were the most fun scenes for me to act.

4. What is your favorite memory of the production?

There are so many, I cannot choose! I think one of my favorite memories would be the senior prayer circle before the final performance. Having acted with Drama People all of my high school years, it was so sweet to be able to be prayed over with my fellow seniors as we entered our last closing night. Standing on stage behind the curtain, moments before the doors opened, Ivey, Zebee, Josiah, and I were gathered around by our peers and teachers as they prayed for us. I left the stage sobbing and immediately had to redo my face of makeup but it was such a sweet time to cherish one of the many lasts of senior year. I also have innumerable funny stories from the week like the story of when Zebee got a black eye on stage, when my quick change did not go as planned and I had to walk on stage with a dress loosely hanging off me (which we eventually had to cut off) under my wedding dress, and the stories of when a group of us went to Waffle House after rehearsal and stayed there till midnight telling stories.

5. What would you like people to remember about the show?

I think I would like people to remember that, like Victor created the Monster, God created us one by one. The difference is that God loved each of us and called us by name. He did not look on us with disgust even when we sinned, but He sent His one and only son to die for us. Like one of Elizabeth’s lines says “sin invades us all, but of a man’s heart his sin is not the sum.” No matter the evil that invades our hearts, we always have a creator and Father who is calling us by name to come and surrender to Him. We do not have to find our own way because He has created us with a purpose: to glorify Him in everything we do. So, even though we are wearing costumes and taking on characters upon the stage, God can use the story we tell to ultimately bring glory to Him.

1. What was your favorite moment in the Frankenstein script?

In act II, there is a pinnacle moment in the story in which Elizabeth realizes Victor has been lying to her and becomes furious with him as he profusely attempts to explain his actions and offer justification but is met with only coldness from Elizabeth. He is then commanded by the monster to raise him a bride and Victor agrees to  “rid the world the curse I have looked upon it.” However, at the last moment he decides that he cannot bear to make another one and throws the vial with the life-giving solution in it and leaves the monster with a broken vial splattered on the floor. 

2. What was your process for discovering Victor?

Victor was a challenging role to portray in a way that feels genuine. He goes back and forth from extremes, such as being extraordinarily insane and then back to totally normal in a matter of minutes. What helped me the most was reading the script and trying to think as closely to Victor’s thoughts as I could to help me get in the right mindset. 

3. What was the most challenging scene for you to act?

The scene in which Elizabeth dies in act II because it feels awkward being entirely helpless to the monster in that scene when it feels you should constantly be doing something. 

4. What is your favorite memory of the production?

After closing night of the show, a couple of friends and me went out to Drakes to have dinner and while we were all exhausted, it was extremely fun. 

5. What would you like people to remember about the show?

I would like for people to gain the understanding of the importance of relationships in their lives. Victor gives up everything and hurts everyone around him in his quest to become a god at any cost. 
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Comedy of Errors sounds like a funny show, right? Well, let me tell you, it was not only funny, it was hilarious both on stage and off. The show is your typical Shakespeare with quite a few mix-ups where not one but two sets of twins get confused with each other and a whole lot of snarky remarks thrown in. I played the character of Luciana, whom we chose to portray as an airheaded, loosey-goosey, kind of stupid woman. As a way of portraying the idea of women from the 40’s/50’s who were not quite all there, we chose to move my voice up quite a few octaves. This was quite the struggle. I had to spend hours working on perfecting the voice I was going to use. Once show week rolled around, I was doing everything to protect my vocal cords. I don't think that I’ve ever consumed so much tea in one week. The show was a massive success, and I even had a few people come up to me after the show and ask if that was my real voice. ​

​On a balmy evening in May, Drama People put on their first ever outdoor show. “Meet Me in St. Louis,” is a tale navigating the complexities of family, friendships and growing up. While the show may have appeared well orchestrated, the days leading up to the performance were filled with blood, sweat and tears in abundance. Our producer, Mrs. Wall, did a wonderful job with our outdoor stage but faced many difficulties. (Such as, the set trying to fly away in a storm!) This show was so special because it was our director, Mrs. Martinez’s last show for a season. The cast worked so hard and had a lot of fun along the way while navigating Covid, weather and many other trials. All in all, many memories were made “Right here, in St. Louis!” 

By Alex
​Developing a character for an actor is essential. There are many different methods of doing so. We asked the actor playing Laurie about this process and he said, “I always start by learning as much as I can from the book/script about my character, then I ask questions and create scenarios through different improv exercises.”
     Without doing this research, fully understanding the character you are in the the process of molding, you will not be able to genuinely take to the audience into whatever world you are are trying to create. That is why it is so important to Drama People that we use specific methods in developing a role.

By Katie
There are many roles that are put into use in the making of the theater production. Tasks and responsibilities can easily get out of hand if there is no form of accountability among the cast and crew. So how can leadership be used properly and a show?

Firstly, a well functioning team requires cooperation from all members-leaders and followers alike.  An effective leader has the attention of those they are serving...yes, serving. A leader’s job is a service to their team. Their purpose is to use their authority and abilities to benefit the cast and crew by taking charge. It is no easy job.

An important tool for a leader to use, especially in a cue-heavy show, is the necessary option of distributing jobs. Simply put, there are too many tasks for a leader to do on their own. That’s why it is important that some of those responsibilities be assigned to someone who can be trusted to complete it for them.This is the most effective way to accomplish things. This is also a good way to solve unexpected problems that a show presents.

There are inevitably difficulties that arise when the show is being put together. Consequently, leaders must be constantly at attention. It’s important that they be aware of what is happening on and off the stage. In order to serve the actors and crew members best, a leader should strive to be well acquainted with the show. This means reading the script well, remembering the characters, and knowing the set, props, and cues. When one does have things are meant to run, they can quickly recognize when things go awry.
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Without a leader to decide on a course of action, a theater could easily crumble. Members of a show look to someone who can respect fully correct in command. It is easiest to lean on responsibility is viewed as a humble service to others. It is healthiest for both the leader and the team to assign duties and spread the workload. The most responsible way to live is to know the show and to always pay attention. Leader ship, though not easy, is certainly necessary, and it can definitely be a beautiful, worthwhile experience.

​This semester during our class time, we have been learning all about IMPROV!  This has been super fun and super terrifying at the same time!   The main thing we are learning through improv is to always accept what is handed to us (YES, and…).  Some other things we are working on through improv is to work as a team, help our partner/partners shine on stage, and think on our feet.  Improv will help us grow as actors in new ways.  We often use improv during our main stage rehearsals to help us learn how to get off the page and practice thinking and reacting as our character.  This helps us develop authentic chemistry and connection between the characters.  But that doesn’t mean that it’s EASY!  It’s NOT!  Improving in improv (did you see what I did there) takes a lot of commitment and practice!