Studio VII is wasting no time in launching its first performance for the school’s Fine Arts department. On Oct. 16-18 they will be presenting “Noises Off” by Michael Frayn, which is about a dysfunctional theatre troupe and their chaotic dress rehearsal, matinee and closing night.
Senior Studio VII President, Varvara Fomicheva, talks about the culture of the theatre program and described it as a welcoming and educational community where everyone is challenged to grow.
“[We are] like family—we’re very, very close,” Fomicheva said. “I think we have a lot of learning opportunities and [it’s] a challenge but a good challenge.”
Producing a show is a process spanning over multiple months, including looking at scripts and selecting the show, casting and deciding crew and finally directing and fine-tuning the on-stage aspects of cast and crew. The directors Emily Rickford and Austin Oliver handpick the scripts that will be performed throughout the year.
“We take time to pick a play that we feel will be good for both cast and crew,” Rickford said. “From researching that play, to holding auditions, and casting the play and interviewing for crew, deciding where the actors go on stage, and then having it ready for performance, all in about 12 weeks.”
A large part of any show is its publicity. Spreading the word about shows and getting potential audience members excited to watch it is a big responsibility of the publicity crew. The publicity crew also decorates the lobby, makes posters and designs playbills to create a welcoming atmosphere for the audience.
“I’m really excited to design the lobby for the show because I wanted it to look like you’re inside of the theater,” Publicity Designer Gianna Bailey said.
The “Noises Off” show has a smaller cast than some of the other shows previously performed by Studio VII with a cast of only nine people. Leading the casting process, directors have to consider factors like cast size and the show’s theme.
“This year’s [selection process] is extremely difficult, probably the hardest one I’ve had it cast in my whole directing career,” Rickford said. “We have such amazing talent here at Seven Lakes and everyone is such a great actor that it’s so hard to pick.”
According to Fomichea, this show is on the humorous side with a lot of light elements in the play that make it entertaining.
“It’s just a really feel-good show,” Fomicheva said. “There’s buffoonery on stage—things are falling [and] people lose their pants.”
Members of the Studio VII commit time and effort into the show, attending rehearsals for two hours everyday, joining Saturday workdays, and staying late at night fine-tuning stage details.
“The best part is just watching the growth that happens, watching the stage start bare a massive set at the end,” Rickford said. “There’s just so much good when our community comes, sees the plays, and I get to see their faces as we perform.”
