Grier School holds free performance of ‘Into the Woods’
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Students at The Grier School in Tyrone have spent the last three months learning their lines, planning their entrances and generally working hard while also having fun preparing for the public performance of "Into the Woods." The show was first staged Friday night and will be presented at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 29.
Tickets are free and the public is invited to enjoy the show presented in the Performing Arts Building on the school campus.
The story follows a baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King's Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a witch's curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone's wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results.
Julia Dirkes-Jacks, head of the drama department, said "Into the Woods" was chosen to showcase the students' wide range of talent.
"This show is great because it has so many different roles that allow students to shine," she said. The depth of the script allows students to "sink their teeth" into their characters.
"Into the Woods" is a timeless classic that people of all ages can come and enjoy, Dirkes-Jacks said.
"I think there can be a certain stigma around productions at an all-girls or all-boys school, but I really enjoy directing here because it allows us to disregard gender in our casting and place everyone in the role that really suits them best," she said. "I am always impressed with how well our students capture their roles, whether or not they identify with the same gender of the character. I think it's a fantastic thing to have in your training as a young actor."
Rehearsals -- about 140 hours total across 12 weeks -- were a lot of fun.
"I consider myself very lucky because these students are some of the funniest people I've ever met and they always keep each other (and me) laughing during rehearsals," she said. "They have so many hilarious ideas that have made their way into the show that I can't wait for people to see.
The show under the direction of Dirkes-Jacks, with assistant director Andrea Block and vocal director Anita Krupa. The pit orchestra conductor is Marinda Jenkins, while the technical director is Bryan Beckel and costume designer is Julie Piotti.
The cast includes Solveig as the narrator, Bella as Cinderella, Mars as Jack, Olivia as Milky White, Mariela as the baker, Grace as the baker's wire, Sydney as Cinderella's stepmother and granny, Meg as Florinda, Lidan (Alice) as Lucinda, Nor as Jack's mother, Addy as Little Red Ridinghood, Alexis as the witch, Christina as Cinderella's mother, Kylie as Cinderella's father and the mysterious man, Estella as the wolf, Charlotte as Rapunzel, Eleanor (Rome) as Cinderella's prince, Campbell as the steward and Michaela (Micah) as Rapunzel's prince.
Stage managers include KC and Haley, while Catherine, Tara and Brooke are on the stage crew and Lifang (Gloria) and Paige are on the tech crew.
Pit orchestra members include Chujun, Levi, Rosa (Lilith), Anna, Canchen (Cici) and Tianlu (Lindsay).
Costume construction and design assistants are Kylie, Palmer and Emily, while costume technicians are Nina, Charlotte, Hannah, Christina, Jada, Sandy, Whitney, Susan, Cindy and Meg.
Editor's note: The Grier School is a private all-girls boarding school. Due to security concerns, only students' first names are used.