By Sarah Kim and Brittany Johnson, Staff Writers 

The Boyfriend. For some people, a boyfriend is a male companion, and for some people, The Boyfriend is the long awaited musical that is a spoof about young love in the 1920s. The musical makes fun of how women used to just throw themselves at men.  

“It shows how looking for love never changes,” said Synthia Rogers, Upper School theater director. The Boyfriend will be shown on March 2 to 5 in the Zale-Fields Theater. 

Acting 

Junior Jillian O’Donnell has had acting a part of her life since she was young.  

“I was in my first play when I was five years old, and I keep doing it to this day because it helps me let go of my everyday stress. When I’m on stage, I’m not Jillian; I’m someone else who has [her] own set of problems and triumphs. I find it very refreshing to be able to let go of myself and commit to a different character,” she said.  

Dancing 

Because the musical is set in the 1920s, this year’s dancing will be more active and frenzied. However, Kelly McCain, Middle School and Upper School dance teacher, is up to the challenge. 

INCREASING EXCITEMENT: Students read over the Spring
Musical’s script and practice their dancing.

“I listen to music a lot to the point that it becomes ingrained so that I do not have to think about what’s next; it’s just there for me. Sometimes the music easily dictates what seems to naturally work as far as movement goes. Other times I think about an overall look for a piece and decide how to accomplish that within the guidelines of the text and music,” said Ms. McCain. The cast spends about 2/3 of the rehearsal period learning the choreography, and this year, they plan on learning seven to 10 dances.  

Singing 

“Dancing is my hard spot, but singing comes very naturally for me. Acting takes work, but I generally get the hang of it. The hard part is doing it all together; singing loudly and on pitch while dancing and still trying to remain in character,” said Jillian, who has been singing for over seven years outside of school. 

Make-up and Costumes 

Make-up is a long process, but once it is finished, the product can completely change the appearance of a person.  

“The real fun happens when you need to change someone’s appearances, like making someone look a lot older. I love it when they first come out on stage, and you can hear the audience trying to figure out who it is,” said Becky Daniels, sixth grade history teacher, who helps with the make-up for the productions. During the 20’s women started to wear make-up regularly. They used vibrant colors, such as red lipstick, lots of red rouge, and dark eye shadow, rather than the neutral colors women wear today. 

When an actor is on stage, the stage lights can change a person’s face color to purple or green, so make-up is heavily used so that the audience can still see the make-up.  

Technical Theater 

The technical theater department’s job is to make sure that the play runs smoothly without letting the audience know how hectic everything is. Without the tech department, the show would not have lighting for dramatic parts, and the entire musical would be in the same place.  

“The plays would be lost without tech. There can be no play without sets, props, lights, and stage crew. I am eternally grateful for their hard work and important contributions to the shows that we do,” said Jillian. 

Practice 

Practice for the musical is three times a week for two hours a day, and when the play gets closer, rehearsal will be every day.  

“Although the Spring Musical takes up so much time, I enjoy making new friends; it is almost like a large family” said senior Raney McKool.