Drama Winter Wrap Up

Shortly before Spring Break, the Players in the Park presented the school’s annual musical to three packed houses. 

Newsies, a crowd-pleasing tale based on the newsboys’ strike that occurred in New York City in 1899, featured rousing tunes, impressive choreography, and a stunning set complete with a moving staircase and fire pole.  Over 50 cast and crew members spent three months diligently preparing for showtime under the auspices of Director Kyra Fries, Assistant Director Merrit O’Keefe, Musical Director Michael Glashow, Technical Director TJ Liquori, and several guest choreographers and assistants.

Kyra says that she was attracted to the show’s message about people who are feeling powerless coming together to facilitate change.  She also liked that Newsies is an ensemble piece that provides many opportunities for actor participation.  She appreciated Park’s support in allowing her to bring in a guest artist to teach students about the show’s fight scenes and notes that these scenes provided students with an opportunity to be creative, as the fights were not as closely choreographed as the show’s many dance numbers.     

For the first time, Grade 5 students were given the opportunity to participate in the musical (as members of the ensemble), and Kyra appreciated the energy these students brought to the show as well as the warmth with which the older students received them.  Kyra also created several leadership roles for Grade 7 and 8 students, who could apply to serve on a Theater Council in roles such as dance and fight captains.  This group served as liaisons between students and directors and built their own community through weekly lunches.  

The cast faced an unexpected curveball as four rehearsals, including two during Tech Week, were lost due to snow days–an unprecedented occurrence!  But the group enthusiastically found opportunities, such as Conference Day, to make up the hours. 

Kyra says that perhaps the best part of the drama experience is the community that is built with each show.  She notes that this community includes not just students but also their families, as they together take part in cyclical events such as building sets during Community Creation and disassembling them during Strike.  

Be sure to also read about the winter seasons in robotics and athletics!

- Elizabeth Prasse, P’27, ’29, Park Perspectives Co-Editor

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